Choosing a Choosing a College for College for

Students Students with Special with Special

Needs Needs

What Students Should Do What Students Should Do to Get to Get Ready for CollegeReady for College

Copyright -2009 Kepler, SchnitzerPermission is hereby granted, free of charge, for non-commercial use by any person obtaining a copy of this Presentation, in any form or format, to re-distribute and re-publish this presentation, subject to the following conditions: The above copyright notice and this permission notice shall be included in all copies or substantial portions of the Presentation.

Remember….Remember….

The LawThe Law

HIGH SCHOOLHIGH SCHOOLIDEA: Individuals with IDEA: Individuals with

Disabilities Education Disabilities Education Act: Entitlement Law Act: Entitlement Law

Every child entitled to free Every child entitled to free appropriate public education appropriate public education (FAPE)(FAPE)

Yearly meeting to create an Yearly meeting to create an Individualized Educational Plan Individualized Educational Plan (IEP)(IEP)

Can involve modification of Can involve modification of curriculumcurriculum

School responsible to provide School responsible to provide servicesservices

Focus on student successFocus on student success

COLLEGECOLLEGEADA: SECTION 504—Civil ADA: SECTION 504—Civil RightsRightsLaw to Guarantee Equal Law to Guarantee Equal AccessAccess

Students must meet admission Students must meet admission requirements: no consideration of requirements: no consideration of disabilities: college a privilege, not disabilities: college a privilege, not a righta right

No IEPNo IEP

Students participate in given Students participate in given curriculum without modificationcurriculum without modification

Student must qualify for supports: Student must qualify for supports: bring own documentation, meet bring own documentation, meet with disability services and then with disability services and then meet with instructors to self-meet with instructors to self-identify (FERPA)identify (FERPA)

You know your child is You know your child is ready if….ready if….

1.1. Self- identifies, understands disabilitySelf- identifies, understands disability

2.2. Can discuss strengths & weaknesses, learning Can discuss strengths & weaknesses, learning style, accommodations that work, & accepts need style, accommodations that work, & accepts need for supportfor support

3.3. Demonstrates motivation, responsibility, Demonstrates motivation, responsibility, independenceindependence

4.4. Manages time, uses study skills, seeks help—does Manages time, uses study skills, seeks help—does not require micro-managingnot require micro-managing

5.5. Reliable with medications demonstrates good Reliable with medications demonstrates good decision-making skills, sets boundaries and limitsdecision-making skills, sets boundaries and limits

6.6. Can answer the question: ‘What do you want out of Can answer the question: ‘What do you want out of college?” “Why to you want to go?”college?” “Why to you want to go?”

How parents can How parents can help…help…

1.1. Be realistic. Know if your child is capable of living away from home. Be realistic. Know if your child is capable of living away from home.

2.2. Work with school counselors & teachers to research postsecondary Work with school counselors & teachers to research postsecondary options but also do your own research to help student select options but also do your own research to help student select appropriate school and encourage minimum number of courses for appropriate school and encourage minimum number of courses for fulltime status.fulltime status.

3.3. Understand costs & available financial support and be sure to meet Understand costs & available financial support and be sure to meet deadlines.deadlines.

4.4. Prepare student for opportunities & challenges away from home by Prepare student for opportunities & challenges away from home by supporting independence, self-advocacy and interpersonal skills. Help supporting independence, self-advocacy and interpersonal skills. Help your child learn time management, organizational skills and effective your child learn time management, organizational skills and effective communicationcommunication

5.5. Make sure IEPs are student-centered : Student attends & leads, focus is Make sure IEPs are student-centered : Student attends & leads, focus is on transition, abilities, needs, goals.on transition, abilities, needs, goals.

6.6. Help your student understand application process—be sure student can Help your student understand application process—be sure student can complete applications: College, FAFSA, Voc. Rehab., Regional Center, complete applications: College, FAFSA, Voc. Rehab., Regional Center, etc.etc.

Needed Needed Documentation Documentation

Needed for all Needed for all StudentsStudents

Testing with adult scales Testing with adult scales generally within last 3 generally within last 3 yearsyears

Includes Cognitive and Includes Cognitive and Achievement on adult Achievement on adult scalesscales

Needed for all students Needed for all students requesting college supportrequesting college support

Additional InformationAdditional Information

If medical diagnosis, If medical diagnosis, may also require a may also require a doctor’s statementdoctor’s statement

All reports must include All reports must include a statement as to how a statement as to how diagnosed condition diagnosed condition impacts student’s impacts student’s functioning-limits the functioning-limits the major life activity of major life activity of learninglearning

Community Psychological ServicesUniversity of Missouri- St. Louis801 Natural Bridge Road314-516-5824http://www.umsl.edu/services/cps/ 

High School High School PreparationPreparation

With high school counselor develop a 4 year plan With high school counselor develop a 4 year plan that includes college prep classes.that includes college prep classes.

Consider AP classes to better understand college Consider AP classes to better understand college demands—reading load, types of tests, need for demands—reading load, types of tests, need for study for success.study for success.

Not all colleges require a foreign language –some Not all colleges require a foreign language –some colleges have ‘holistic’ admissions policy. Most colleges have ‘holistic’ admissions policy. Most high schools do not require a foreign language for high schools do not require a foreign language for graduation.graduation.

NCAA requirements for students who want to play NCAA requirements for students who want to play sports in Div. I or II– also determines sports in Div. I or II– also determines coursework.coursework.

ACT/SAT/AP/GED TESTS: Accommodations & ACT/SAT/AP/GED TESTS: Accommodations & preparationpreparation

Academic Differences Academic Differences between High School and between High School and

College….College…. Step by step instructions Step by step instructions VSVS Less structured tasks Less structured tasks

Grades based on variety of assignments Grades based on variety of assignments VSVS Several tests/papers/long Several tests/papers/long term projectsterm projects

Assignments modified/shortened/ extended Assignments modified/shortened/ extended VSVS Rare for Rare for modifications/extensionsmodifications/extensions

Exams questions can be clarified VS More essay exams / no clarificationExams questions can be clarified VS More essay exams / no clarification

““Homework” may be limited Homework” may be limited VS VS 2 -4 hour preparation for each class 2 -4 hour preparation for each class

Class sizes of 20-25 and full day program Class sizes of 20-25 and full day program VSVS 15-150 per class with 2- 15-150 per class with 2-3 classes/day3 classes/day

Frequent student-teacher interaction & feedback Frequent student-teacher interaction & feedback VSVS Limited Limited interaction/feedbackinteraction/feedback

Teacher directed study Teacher directed study VSVS Student organizing, planning, Student organizing, planning, independent studyindependent study

Teachers anticipate needs/provide supports Teachers anticipate needs/provide supports VS VS Self-advocacy and Self-advocacy and disclosuredisclosure

Types of ProgramsTypes of Programs

4 year colleges or universities range from very competitive / less competitive—very 4 year colleges or universities range from very competitive / less competitive—very large / very small; urban / rural and award B.A./B.S degreeslarge / very small; urban / rural and award B.A./B.S degrees

2 year colleges – community colleges; prep school: Associate degree or Certificate2 year colleges – community colleges; prep school: Associate degree or Certificate

Technical/Vocational schools – from multiyear to less than a year. Technical/Vocational schools – from multiyear to less than a year. Diploma/certificate & may involve state examDiploma/certificate & may involve state exam

Apprenticeships- Trade unions/programsApprenticeships- Trade unions/programs

Gap years/Leap Year Programs- Travel or volunteer prior to college attendance. Can Gap years/Leap Year Programs- Travel or volunteer prior to college attendance. Can be helpful – explore interests and the “gift of time”be helpful – explore interests and the “gift of time”

Military ServiceMilitary Service

Adult Education Programs-- Independent Learning, Continuing EducationAdult Education Programs-- Independent Learning, Continuing Education

Specialized programs with college type experiences in collaboration with higher Specialized programs with college type experiences in collaboration with higher education—certificate program such as SUCCEED at UMSLeducation—certificate program such as SUCCEED at UMSL

SSD VSP: The goal is to provide a continuum of supports and services to students SSD VSP: The goal is to provide a continuum of supports and services to students and families to aid in skill development needed to achieve realistic and meaningful and families to aid in skill development needed to achieve realistic and meaningful postsecondary goalpostsecondary goal

Picking a School….Picking a School….

Research : Internet, college guidebooks, mailings, college Research : Internet, college guidebooks, mailings, college fairsfairs

Preferences: Size, religious preference, major, social life, Preferences: Size, religious preference, major, social life, location. interest inventories etc. location. interest inventories etc.

Visit college campuses—even local—look at dorms, library, Visit college campuses—even local—look at dorms, library, classrooms, labs, etc. Many schools have ‘visiting days’ classrooms, labs, etc. Many schools have ‘visiting days’ designed for high school seniors and have sleep-oversdesigned for high school seniors and have sleep-overs

Talk to students on campus and in student centers. Ask Talk to students on campus and in student centers. Ask questions and take notes. Spend time on the campus questions and take notes. Spend time on the campus after the official tour!after the official tour!

Go to Disability Support Services office. Meet advisor/ask Go to Disability Support Services office. Meet advisor/ask questions, know what can be provided, take notes. Obtain questions, know what can be provided, take notes. Obtain information as to required documentation for services.information as to required documentation for services.

Types of College Support Types of College Support ProgramsPrograms

Remedial/developmental classes: for all students Remedial/developmental classes: for all students and usually a result of placement tests.and usually a result of placement tests.

Study Skills/Orientation to College classes: for all Study Skills/Orientation to College classes: for all studentsstudents

Precollege summer programs: for all students and Precollege summer programs: for all students and some specializedsome specialized

Writing Labs, Math Labs, Peer Tutors, Academic Writing Labs, Math Labs, Peer Tutors, Academic Coaches, mentors: available to all studentsCoaches, mentors: available to all students

Support services for any documented student range Support services for any documented student range from minimal to daily (separate application/separate from minimal to daily (separate application/separate tuition)tuition)

Students who are Students who are successful…successful…

Understand disability, advocate for needed accommodations & Understand disability, advocate for needed accommodations & establish support systemsestablish support systems

Seek assistance: professors, tutors, Writing and Math Labs, Seek assistance: professors, tutors, Writing and Math Labs, study groupsstudy groups

Are proactive: organized, self-advocate, problem-solve; make Are proactive: organized, self-advocate, problem-solve; make responsible decisions; display assertiveness and self-confidence, responsible decisions; display assertiveness and self-confidence, work with others , communicatework with others , communicate

Persevere– Set goals and follow through to completionPersevere– Set goals and follow through to completion

Manage time/tasks—Prioritize tasks and know how to studyManage time/tasks—Prioritize tasks and know how to study

Have emotional coping strategies—Know when to seek assistanceHave emotional coping strategies—Know when to seek assistance

Possess Independent Living Skills: Manage money, handle Possess Independent Living Skills: Manage money, handle personal needs, establish routines, handle free time, attend class personal needs, establish routines, handle free time, attend class regularly, study, responsible with medicationregularly, study, responsible with medication

THE TIME TO WORK ON THESE SKILLS IN HIGH SCHOOL THE TIME TO WORK ON THESE SKILLS IN HIGH SCHOOL AND AT HOMEAND AT HOME

COLLEGE WILL BE DIFFICULT WITHOUT THESE SKILLSCOLLEGE WILL BE DIFFICULT WITHOUT THESE SKILLS

If Student Qualifies, What If Student Qualifies, What Accommodations can the Expected…Accommodations can the Expected…

Note taker/reader/scribeNote taker/reader/scribe

Sign language /interpreterSign language /interpreter

Braille/ Large PrintBraille/ Large Print

Assistive TechnologyAssistive Technology

Alternate test site, extended time, breaks, tests aloudAlternate test site, extended time, breaks, tests aloud

Academic counseling: Scheduling assistance for Academic counseling: Scheduling assistance for instructor and course selection—perhaps before other instructor and course selection—perhaps before other studentsstudents

Dorm accommodations if availableDorm accommodations if available

Accommodations are determined between the student Accommodations are determined between the student and the disability staff member based on informationand the disability staff member based on information

Examples of Examples of Unreasonable Unreasonable

AccommodationsAccommodations Attendant careAttendant care

Monitoring of class attendance, Monitoring of class attendance, performance, passing grades, medication, performance, passing grades, medication, etc.etc.

Curriculum/test modificationsCurriculum/test modifications

Transportation to/from classesTransportation to/from classes

Reports to parents (get student to sign Reports to parents (get student to sign permission for you to talk to college permission for you to talk to college personnel)personnel)

Behavioral management Behavioral management

RESOURCESRESOURCES

RESOURCESRESOURCES

www.fairtest.org- Schools that do not require ACT/SATSchools that do not require ACT/SAT

http://www.college-scholarships.com//www.college-scholarships.com/index.htmindex.html l .org- .org- colleges with LD colleges with LD supportssupports

pacer.pacer. - - Site for students with disabilitiesSite for students with disabilities

c3online.orgc3online.org--Connects Connects students to colleges and careerstudents to colleges and career

ldonline.org - ldonline.org - Learning Learning Disabilities siteDisabilities site

Thinkcollege.netThinkcollege.net- College Options for People with - College Options for People with Intellectual DisabitiesIntellectual Disabities

stlcc.edustlcc.edu- St. Louis Community Colleges- St. Louis Community Colleges

www.npitx.orgwww.npitx.org- Technical training for adults on autism - Technical training for adults on autism spectrumspectrum

Programs at Various Programs at Various CollegesColleges

All colleges offer some type of free services by law which All colleges offer some type of free services by law which may as at Wash U., Mizzou, St. Louis U.may as at Wash U., Mizzou, St. Louis U.

LD/ADHD programs: SIU-Carbondale ACHIEVE, LD/ADHD programs: SIU-Carbondale ACHIEVE, Westminster – Learning Disabilities Program, Missouri Westminster – Learning Disabilities Program, Missouri State – Project Success. These programs require State – Project Success. These programs require additional application and tuitionadditional application and tuition

Autism programs: University of Tennessee- Chattanooga Autism programs: University of Tennessee- Chattanooga MOSAIC program, University of Arkansas Autism Support MOSAIC program, University of Arkansas Autism Support Program, Western Kentucky Kelly Autism Residential Program, Western Kentucky Kelly Autism Residential Program—There are also separate admission and tuition Program—There are also separate admission and tuition programs.programs.

Colleges with programs for students diagnosed with Colleges with programs for students diagnosed with Autism Autism www.collegeautismspectrum.com/collegeprograms.htmlwww.collegeautismspectrum.com/collegeprograms.html