Feedback on college programs

PASSWORD>aa5lxIzfiwL2E: I am a learning disability teacher who is starting a college referral
: business for learning disabled kids. This was an outgrowth of
: trying to find appropriate schools for my own two learning
: disabled kids and finding very poor information out there. I have
: done tons of research and talked to many many people but would
: like to hear from students or parents whose kids have had
: experiences with different colleges and ld programs. Any responses
: would be greatly appreciated!Jill,What a wonderful idea. My eldest is in middle school so I still have a few years. I am really going to be very careful in guiding my son. It is one thing to get into a college, and another to wind up with a degree. If you have begun your business, please let us know!For those of you that have been successful in finding a college/umiversity program for your child,please let us know about it. If there are any students reading this board, I would love to hear what you have to say, all tips welcome!Thanks.

I think you are very wise to think about college as your child begins to enter secondary school.My new business is going very well but I am not quite ready to put pu my website and be open for everyone! Fele free to keep my email address as intended to be around for quite some time!

If you do start to go on the web, i’d be willing to do pro bono work. if you read my prior posts, you could see that I wish this type of service was available 8 years ago! sigh… anyway, if your interested, I could help with the site.regards, -teri: I think you are very wise to think about college as your child begins
: to enter secondary school.My new business is going very well but I
: am not quite ready to put pu my website and be open for everyone!
: Fele free to keep my email address as intended to be around for
: quite some time!

: I am a learning disability teacher who is starting a college referral
: business for learning disabled kids. This was an outgrowth of
: trying to find appropriate schools for my own two learning
: disabled kids and finding very poor information out there. I have
: done tons of research and talked to many many people but would
: like to hear from students or parents whose kids have had
: experiences with different colleges and ld programs. Any responses
: would be greatly appreciated!Muskingum College in New Concord, Ohio. This college has the PLUS program for students with LD/ADHD/ and other disabilities. My son is attending there and will graduate in May. His best friend has graduated already. Supportive school, program, and the PLUS staff is very professional and educated about what the student needs and how to assist. Contact: Jen Navicky. Good Luck to you.

: I am a learning disability teacher who is starting a college referral
: business for learning disabled kids. This was an outgrowth of
: trying to find appropriate schools for my own two learning
: disabled kids and finding very poor information out there. I have
: done tons of research and talked to many many people but would
: like to hear from students or parents whose kids have had
: experiences with different colleges and ld programs. Any responses
: would be greatly appreciated!Jill,Welcome to a select group. To the best of my knowledge there are only five of us in the US that do college counseling exclusively for students with special needs. One thing you must do to be credible is to actually visit the colleges. I’ve been to over 300 colleges meeting with admissions counselors as well as special service providers. If you do not do that you can be no better than the college guides or information you get by word-of-mouth. Many people will say, “College X has great support for students with LD.” What does that actually mean? Every kid is different and what will work for one kid with LD may not work for another.Perhaps the biggest error you could make is looking at the LD first and determining where a student should go because of the LD. The LD should be last. Never put the disability first. You should know about colleges like any college advisor or educational consultant or guidance counselor. Know about SAT/ACT requirements. Know about majors and admissions standards. Know about the “personality” of a college. What is the college known for? Make-up of students - Ethnicity - Religious/social/cultural leanings - Greek Life - campus activities - sports - urban/suburban/rural setting - is the campus self-contained or integrated? - student body - size - location - public or private - Are you knowledgeable about testing: WISC, WAIS, W-J, WIAT? Are you knowledgeable about documentation? Section 504? ADA?In other words, there is much to know about counseling students and their families during the transition process and it involves much more than just picking colleges from what people tell you. I am sure you will be able to help many people - best of luck to you.

Jill, our son is a junior in high school and we are currently trying to help him pick a college. What’s your email address?

Veda, I love the learning strategies database Muskingum makes available to everyone online. I will try to provide a link below. I would love to hear comments from anyone who checks it out. How do you like it? JJ: Muskingum College in New Concord, Ohio. This college has the PLUS
: program for students with LD/ADHD/ and other disabilities. My son
: is attending there and will graduate in May. His best friend has
: graduated already. Supportive school, program, and the PLUS staff
: is very professional and educated about what the student needs and
: how to assist. Contact: Jen Navicky. Good Luck to you.

Jill,For SOME students whose primary problem is ADHD, a state military college MIGHT be a good choice. Students must participate in ROTC, but do not have to join the military. Self discipline is emphasized, and there is plenty of structure built into the system. Much of their time is managed for them, especially during the first year. The physical and emotional stress of being first year cadets leads them to depend on each other. My own ADHD son chose a military college, and his self confidence has grown immeasuribly. He recently visited his old high school with a cadet from another country, to talk about the cadet’s culture with students who were learning about different religions. One of his former teachers later told me she was amazed at the change in his self confidence, and even (as you might expect!) in the way he carried himself. You might want to check out VMI (the Virginia Military Institute) or The Citadel, in Charleston, SC. They are NOT for everyone, but when it’s the right match of student to college, the student can thrive before your eyes. JJ: I am a learning disability teacher who is starting a college referral
: business for learning disabled kids. This was an outgrowth of
: trying to find appropriate schools for my own two learning
: disabled kids and finding very poor information out there. I have
: done tons of research and talked to many many people but would
: like to hear from students or parents whose kids have had
: experiences with different colleges and ld programs. Any responses
: would be greatly appreciated!

: Jill,: Welcome to a select group. To the best of my knowledge there are only
: five of us in the US that do college counseling exclusively for
: students with special needs. One thing you must do to be credible
: is to actually visit the colleges. I’ve been to over 300 colleges
: meeting with admissions counselors as well as special service
: providers. If you do not do that you can be no better than the
: college guides or information you get by word-of-mouth. Many
: people will say, “College X has great support for students
: with LD.” What does that actually mean? Every kid is
: different and what will work for one kid with LD may not work for
: another.: Perhaps the biggest error you could make is looking at the LD first
: and determining where a student should go because of the LD. The
: LD should be last. Never put the disability first. You should know
: about colleges like any college advisor or educational consultant
: or guidance counselor. Know about SAT/ACT requirements. Know about
: majors and admissions standards. Know about the
: “personality” of a college. What is the college known
: for? Make-up of students - Ethnicity - Religious/social/cultural
: leanings - Greek Life - campus activities - sports -
: urban/suburban/rural setting - is the campus self-contained or
: integrated? - student body - size - location - public or private -
: Are you knowledgeable about testing: WISC, WAIS, W-J, WIAT? Are
: you knowledgeable about documentation? Section 504? ADA?: In other words, there is much to know about counseling students and
: their families during the transition process and it involves much
: more than just picking colleges from what people tell you. I am
: sure you will be able to help many people - best of luck to you.

to alan. I’m wondering where you live and work as a counselor. My son is a junior in high school and in the midst of this process. Id live to talk with you. let me know. thanks sheila

: If you do start to go on the web, i’d be willing to do pro bono work.
: if you read my prior posts, you could see that I wish this type of
: service was available 8 years ago! sigh… anyway, if your
: interested, I could help with the site.: regards, -teriThe College of Charleston has a very good program for students with learning disabilities. It’s a small college comparatively and worth checking out. Good luck in your new business. We all need you!

Am in business and ready to roll. Please see my website at www16.brinkster.com/collegefinder for more information. Jill Burstein