Anonymous wrote:If I may add my perspective, I have a freshman with learning challenges and multiple-level based approved accommodations at a small college 2 hours away from N. VA.

When during high school touring colleges and helping my DD to compile a list of schools to apply too, I kept a sharp eye on what I heard and read regarding how each university stacked up as far as supporting accommodations. I would even join each school's facebook parent page, when I could as a parent of a non-matriculating student, and would read any post regarding accommodation support. And what I learned was confusing. Some would say a university was excellent in supporting accommodations when other posts would say the university was awful and it was the exact same university being discussed.

Now with my DD in her 2nd semester, I now see the full picture and that it really comes down to the student themselves whether they receive all of their accommodations. When my DD began at her college last August already approved for a list of accommodations, at the start of the semester she received multiple emails with over 12 attachments of forms and steps that she had to take in order to put those accommodations in place. Filling out the multiple forms, securing professor signatures, submitting forms, etc, etc. Because of FERPA and because other policies, no one but the student can set the actual, specific-to-each-class/professor accommodations in place and it was A LOT. The steps were overall fair and necessary in theory but in practice it was a lot for a student who needs the accommodations due to poor executive function issues. I immediately saw the irony of the situation that a student who has poor EP is the very student asking to follow steps requiring excellent EP and stepped in to help my DD from afar discussing each step with her. So from what I learned so far in this journey helping my child is that the student really must advocate for themselves in receiving the accommodations they are entitled to. It is completely up to them on the college level.

Most universities support a student that needs accommodations, but it is 100% up to the student at the start of each semester to confirm that all the pieces are in place for the rest of the semester. My DD just finished this process at the end of her first week of classes this semester as the process must be completed again each semester and it unfortunately took much time and priority over anything else she had to do this week. Just wanted to share my observations and experiences.

Anonymous wrote:OP mentioned that part of the problem was sourcing the help in a small town. I wonder if a high school tutor or teacher would take on the job. Could be worth at least a call to the local high school counselors’ office to explain you’re looking for a daily academic tutor and see if they have any leads or if they’ll help you post on a Listserv to find a daily tutor.

Anonymous wrote:We used an executive function tutor from Ann Dolin’s company for freshman year. It was virtual and the “package” I think was 30 hours. She had access to Canvas or whatever platform the college used. They would meet in 30 minute blocks once or twice a week and develop a schedule of what would be done when. At the end if freshman year I think we had 10 hours left and she didn’t need to use them sophomore year. I highly recommend it. I think it was around $1500 (?) but money well spent (especially if you consider the alternative of wasting a semester at $30,000)

Anonymous wrote:I hope it is OK to post this here. I have a struggling college student. Very bright, but gets caught up with anxieties and cannot get work turned in and ends up with failing grades. At best, underperforms.Without getting into details, what they need to stay in school is the equivalent of daily in-person study hall with a tutor. Please don't question this conclusion as it will derail the thread! And has been reached after consultation with student and professionals. The issue with executing on this solution is that they are in a small liberal arts school in a small town. Does anyone have experience creating this sort of structure for their bright but academically struggling college student? Details would be appreciated.