BAD Visit, Need to Vent

CountingDown
Thu, 07 Apr 2011 11:16:18 +0000

YabbaDabba,
If you are hoping for services for your S at college, I hope that you and he have already been talking to the Disability Services folks at each campus your S is considering. The Parents 2013 thread has both harrowing and encouraging accounts of how kids on the spectrum or who have learning differences were accommodated (or not). Schools may talk a good game, but I have found the hard way that unless a student is able to assertively advocate for himself, advisors and administrators are going to assume that difficulties are part of the normal college transition process and not due to documented issues.

Even if he is not under an IEP or 504 at his current school, it would be a good idea for you and your S to get acquainted with the services on campus. It will be easier than trying to do it in mid-semester when they college will want to do its own assessments. Also see what is available nearby in terms of mental health/coaching support if the school can’t give you the level of services you want.

Frankly, I would consider these services the most important criteria in choosing a school for a student who will need support.