Dyslexia, full disclosure?

compmom
Tue, 04 Oct 2011 14:06:44 +0000

One of my kids did not have accommodations in high school, was tested between high school and college,and has already used accommodations at college. You definitely need new testing, I think: but check on that.

We sent documentation of testing and doctors’ letters to the disabilities office as soon as she was accepted, and had accommodations set up. We explicitly stated that she was coming on campus without any intention of asking for accommodations, but that we wanted them on record should they be needed. She needed them after three weeks!

The disabilities office and dean showed nothing but gratitude for our approach, which they suggest to all anyway. They would much prefer that a family set things up in advance, than that they have to play catch up in a crisis.

You do not have to disclose anything until your daughter is accepted. But it might help with acceptances. The guidance counselor can write about it, and/or you can write a note to include with the guidance counselor recommendation, or your daughter can write about it. But disclosure is not obligatory, during the application process.

The main question is whether explaining that she has dyslexia will get her into a school that might otherwise not take her. I think that that information can avoid misunderstandings of character and ability, myself, but that is really up to your daughter.

You can try to research the level of support at different schools, but in our experience, it is only through the actual experience that you can tell what the attitudes and practices are. You can get a ballpark idea, but often it even comes down to the attitudes of individual teachers.

The way it usually works is that the student receives a letter for each professor, written by the dean’s or disabilities office, stating that the student is registered and listing accommodations. One of the main reasons we have done this with two kids (one with medical issues) is to avoid misunderstandings of their character.

There are posters on here who have kids with dyslexia at top, top schools. However, I think finding the right fit is important. Also, have you heard of Landmark College in Vermont? Kids can go there for a year, or a summer even, and learn a lot of strategies for success, apparently. They also have a 4 year program.

One other thing: you say “I send applications” and “I am looking,” which would seem to indicate less involvement on the part of your daughter. Please understand that I am pointing this out in a spirit of sympathy and solidarity. Parents of kids with special needs end up providing a lot of support, and it is hard to remember that we won’t be there at college…When looking for a good fit, it helped me to remember that when my daughter asked advice about her choices. She is at a school with two academic advisors, a peer advisor, an involved dean, extensive psychological and health services on campus, and supportive teachers: for all students, actually. It was a good choice on her part.