College with Learning Disabilities. Amanda M. Lewis

Transcription

1 College with Learning Disabilities Amanda M. Lewis

2 Welcome! About me: Student with SLD Former High School Teacher Studying School Psychology at UI GA for ICATER Ask me questions during the talk!

3 Overview Part 1: Paving the Way to College Part 2: Navigating the Service Procedure Part 3: Tips and Tools for Success

4 Part 1 Paving the Way to College

5 What do you already have? Goals Strengths Challenges Strategies Tools Rights

6 What should you do in high school? Maximize your portfolio Grades Classes- AP/Dual credit, as well as content Test Scores Essay/Personal Statement Recommendation letters Extracurriculars Don't worry if some part isn't what you wish- there are plenty of parts! Pay attention to what excites you Seek out experiences Have fun!

7 How do you choose a college? Ask "what do I want to do?" and work backwards! Find majors/degrees that will best prepare you for that job Important: use those strengths, challenges and goals as guiding stars through this process Consult resources to find colleges with good SDS programs The K&W Guide to Colleges for Students with Learning Differences, 12th Edition

8 Picking Your College Program match Do you want specialized programing that may be available in only a few schools? Campus Big, small or midsized? Distance Is being near your current support structure a priority?

9 Picking Your College Disability services Talk to SDS when considering a college, and ask about their outlook and available supports Notetakers- Paid? Volunteer? Classmates? Equipment to check out/take to class/home? Tutoring Testing procedure and facilities Your specific concerns and accommodations

10 Taking Another Road The road less traveled might make all the difference Gap year Community/two year college Online courses Credit by examination (CLEP, AP) Lots of great careers don't need 4 years of college!

11 Get ready! Educate yourself about your Rights and LD Wrightslaw.com Reminder: you are the expert on your LD, your goals and your needs! What should I bring? Recent (this past year) report Copy of your IEP/504 plan Cover Letter from school psych (or author of test report) explaining current accommodations and recommendations Letters from teachers/school personnel explaining current classroom supports

12 Part 2 The Service Procedure in College

13 Overview of the ADA IDEA -> ADA and Section 504 Same 504 as in 504 plan Reasonable accommodation Both private and public colleges Not required to provide personal/study services ADA will also provide protections in your workplace Reminder: You are now the advocate!

14 Step 1: Submit documentation Make a packet Recent (this past year) report Copy of your IEP/504 plan Cover Letter from school psych (or author of test report) explaining current accommodations and recommendations Letters from teachers/school personnel explaining current classroom supports Make sure you are familiar with the contents of your file If possible, deliver it in person to Student Disability Services (SDS) and meet the staff

15 Step 2: Meet with SDS staff Go over your file and their proposed accommodations Do not be afraid to push if something you need isn t approved Back yourself up with examples of how an accommodation helps, scores in your report showing an area of challenge, and your history of having that accommodation Make sure your letter has all of your accommodations written down. Make note of when you need to have met with your faculty/obtained signatures/scheduled exams Keep a copy of your letter for your records (ask for an extra if needed)

16 Step 3: Meet with faculty Fill out whatever part of the form you can ahead of time As soon as possible, arrange a meeting I always liked to do it right after the first class If you want more privacy, ask to meet in their office Ask for the meeting in person if possible

17 Step 3: Meet with faculty Give your Professor the form You are not their first student with one- relax! You do not have to explain why you have the accommodations- ever You do not have to use all of your accommodations in every class. This is a good time to talk to your professor about the syllabus and areas you think may be challenging Have them sign and date the form, and confirm dates of tests and quizzes

18 Step 4: Return forms to SDS Schedule tests if needed Double check policies regarding testing Ask if you are allowed to bring a (neat!) snack or beverage Confirm that they have everything they need

19 Step 5: Use Your Accommodations On the day of an exam Arrive early! Wear a watch Communicate with your faculty and SDS Be an adult: your tools are not toys!

20 Part 3 Tips and Tools for Success

21 Essential Tips Practice being an advocate Create a community of support ASAP Use campus counseling services Research professors and classes at ratemyprofessor.com Connect with others in your classes

22 Organization Calendar/planner Digital or paper Color code Alarms Notetaking Notability app SmartPen Recorder

23 Reading Audiobooks (Audibility) E-books Chrome tools: Beeline reader Dyslexie Readability SpeakIt! and other text readers Snap and Read Universal* Read and Write for Google*

24 Writing Speech-to-text Dragon NaturallySpeaking VoiceNote II Google Voice/SIRI/Windows Google Docs Co:Writer Read&Write Gold

25 Math Apps like Maths Formulas for Engineers, Photomath, Modmath, and Dyscalculator ALEKS and other online sources, some of which have diagnostic elements to help you fill in the holes Don t be afraid to take remedial courses as preparation

26 Science, Music, History and More Sythesia for music The Elements in Action for chemistry Flippity.net for flashcards

27 Make time for you! Consider some fun classes or minor Don t be afraid to take more than 8 semesters to finish Summer semesters Pick a group (or several!) Stay active Stressbuster My rule: One fun thing a week

28 A few more tips... Make your plan, execute the plan, review the plan, modify the plandon t be afraid to modify! You are the expert on you. Your job is school. Be a professional! Surround yourself with positive people

29 Final Thoughts This will be work. This will be worth it. If you weren't a hard worker you would not be here. You are not the first student with challenges, and you won t be the last, but you are unique and the only one who can give what you have. Be brave.

30 I shall be telling this with a sigh Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference. -Robert Frost, "The Road Not Taken"

31 Keep in Touch! Amanda M. Lewis ICATER Facebook: