Guest blog post by Dr. Stephanie Fox, Four Corners Psychological Services
If you are a high schooler with a learning disability or suspect that you are, it’s time to make a plan for college. It is never too late to look at possible learning concerns, especially if you have always struggled with school or certain subjects. A history of intervention (like being on a “reading plan”), tutoring, and having to work harder than your peers for good grades are all indications that something may be different with your learning style. At a minimum, talk to your parents about your concerns and consult with a psychologist to see if testing is needed. An educational evaluation can determine if you have a learning disability, ADHD, autism, or other types of neurodivergence.
If you have been diagnosed with a learning disability, be sure your testing is up-to-date! Testing in the last three years is the recommendation for how recent your evaluation should be and is required for receiving accommodations on the SAT/ACT and at some colleges. Additionally, if you are not already receiving accommodations at your school through a Section 504 Plan or an Individualized Education Program (IEP), consider establishing a plan with your school’s learning specialist. Having a record of documented accommodations makes it more likely you will be approved for accommodations on the SAT/ACT, such as extended time or additional breaks. This is true if you have an older or newer learning diagnosis; however, students who are first diagnosed in high school sometimes have to demonstrate their need for accommodations with more evidence than other students.
If you want to pursue accommodations on the SAT/ACT, be sure to submit your request at least eight weeks prior to your preferred test date. The reviewers need time to consider your application, and if they deny it, you may want to appeal their decision, which also takes time to process. Your school can help you submit your request for accommodations, and there are also instructions on the SAT/ACT websites. Students with learning disabilities can struggle with test-taking, so it is wise to participate in formal test-prep with a tutor who is familiar with your learning differences and can help you with targeted strategies. Additionally, plan to take the test(s) twice and create your timeline around submitting accommodations documentation, participating in test prep, and taking the test(s) more than once.
Students with learning differences should make additional considerations during their college search. Features such as access to learning support, types of accommodations provided, class sizes, class format, and campus accessibility can all play an important role in college success for neurodivergent learners. Similarly, some students will take a challenging and work-heavy courseload in high school to make themselves more appealing to colleges, yet these classes are not well-suited to their learning style. For example, those with slower processing or reading speed may not be a good fit for AP/IB/Concurrent Enrollment courses and earn poor grades unnecessarily. As such, considering appropriate courses in high school is extra important for those with learning differences.
Finally, when you enroll in college, contact your college’s Student Support or Disability Services office. Though this office may have different names across schools, this information is usually easy to find on a college’s website, as are guidelines for requesting and using accommodations. Often, colleges will request documentation, such as an educational testing report or letter from a qualified professional, when considering your need for accommodations. You will likely have a meeting with a member of the support staff to review your documentation and determine a plan.
While students can receive accommodations in college, options are often more limited than K-12 schools and require students to communicate their needs directly with their professors. Additionally, there are many independent skills required in college that cannot be supported through accommodations, such as time management and reading comprehension, and it is in your best interest to work on developing those skills prior to attending. Be sure to take advantage of that final summer before college!
Stephanie Fox, PsyD, is a licensed psychologist at Four Corners Psychological Services, an educational testing practice offering assessment for children, teens, and adults. Dr. Fox conducts evaluations for dyslexia, dysgraphia, ADHD, and other types of learning and emotional differences. More information can be found at www.fourcorners-ps.com or by emailing Dr. Fox at drfox@fourcorners-ps.com.
