postsecondary education

I’ve updated a list previously posted. This list would be appropriate for a student who is low normal cognitive function (generally scoring 70-90 on WISC/WAIS type tests) combined with significant learning disabilities that preclude coping with the academic demands of a college program. These programs emphasize
adult independent living skills, vocational guidance/training, further development of academic skills, social skills and offer a much higher level of supervision than one would get with a college or residential technical school. Some of these programs do offer an option of attending some classes at a local community college with support from the program.

Some programs to consider are:
1) Maplebrook School Center for the Advancement of Postsecondary Studies, Amenia, NY 845-373-8191;
2) Brehm School Postsecondary Options Program, Carbondale, IL www.brehm.org;
3) Riverview School G.R.O.W. Program, East Sandwich, MA 508-888-1315;
4) Horizons School, Birmingham,AL www.ed.uab.edu/horizons/index.html;
5) Vocational Independence Program of the New York Institute of Technology, Islip (Long Island), NY www.nyit.edu/general/vip.html;
6) Lesley College Threshold Program, Cambridge, MA
www.lesley.edu/threshold/threshold_home.htm;
7) PACE Program, associated with National Louis University, Evanston, IL
8) Chiara Career College, associated with Cardinal Stritch University, Wisconsin 920-674-8452
9) Berkshire Center for Independent Living, Lee, Massachusetts
413-243-2576
10) Life Development Institute, Glendale, AZ; www.life-development-inst.org

Mary, do you have a list of colleges where students who are college bound and have lds, have a support system, and is there any material out there that can demonstrate a track record for success? It is one thing getting admitted, but once over that hurddle, the harder I would think, is being successful enough to end up with a degree.

I am not a counselor. I developed the list of non-college postsecondary programs because I have a daughter who really wanted to go away to school, but has about 5th-6th grade reading/math skills and processes slowly. Through her own enormous effort, but also with constant help with every little thing, she did manage to meet minimum requirements for a high school diploma, but clearly was not going to be able to handle the rigorous academics of college. There are published guides to LD services in colleges and most colleges do offer support services and accommodations. I think visiting and talking to students with similar needs would be key to finding a good match for your student. Good luck.

Mary,
Thanks and good luck to you and your daughter!

You can always try the K&W Guide to Colleges for Students with Learning Disabilities. I’m not sure if it has the exact kind of school you’re looking for but it’s a great sourcebook and usually helpful.

Have you checked out Landmark College in Putney Vermont. Wished I had before sending my son off to regular colleges.Paula wrote:
>
> I am looking for post secondary education for students with
> moderate to severe learning disabilities that will provide a
> college atmosphere, but yet teach a career. Most of these
> students would not be admitted to a 2 year college program or
> technical college. I have heard of these types of colleges,
> but cannot find any.
> Thanks for any help.

My 19-year-old son is currently attending Landmark College. I am so pleased with what they have to offer and the with the progress that he has made in just his first semester. For years we were told that he was not motivated, “a typical teenager”, not working hard enough, etc. In his first semester at Landmark, he made the Dean’s List! It’s a lot of work and a student must be motivated, but I never expected to see the results so fast. A couple of months ago my son called me one night and told me that he never realized that going to school could be such fun.

I would advise you to send for their information packet. They have a website. Just input Landmark College and you should directed there. They are located in Putney, VT which is located in Southern Vermont on the Massachusetts and New Hampshire border Exit 4 off of Interstate 91.

To add to my previous post, we chose Landmark for our son after going to many schools that offered services. We also have an older son with ADHD/LD who is a struggling student but with much guidance can do it, but he needs lots of support but many schools require the student to be the one to ask for it. If they don’t show up, you will never know until the grades come in. My son at Landmark did not now how to ask for help. But many LD students do not know where they need help making it very difficult to ask for.

After visiting colleges we knew that our son was at risk for not passing courses at the college level. His school suggested that he was “not college material” and we push him towards entering the workforce. But as many of you know, even that would be challenging for an LD person and in this day and age, we all need to keep ourselves educated. Plumbers, electricians, hairdressers, etc. all need to pass tests to be licensed.

The issue here is choice. These students should get the chance to go out into the world and choose what they want to do with their lives and be able to make that decision for themselves and not be directed in other directions because they are viewed as “not being able to do it.”

I am looking for information regarding sect.504.

my son has a plan but just failed 3 out of 6 subjects!I don’t think it’s working.

Hi. I understood that the Brehm School in Carbondale, Il was for children who are higher functioning than what you suggest. If you have specific information, please clarify for me. I have been told that their population is for average to high functioning students.

We have a high school junior and we are beginning the process of picking
colleges and trying to get admitted. Because most of the ld students
that our school system works with are not college bound, they don’t have a lot of advise. What published lititure have you found that will help with the admitting process and the rights that our son has after he is in college.Mary wrote:
>
> I am not a counselor. I developed the list of non-college
> postsecondary programs because I have a daughter who really
> wanted to go away to school, but has about 5th-6th grade
> reading/math skills and processes slowly. Through her own
> enormous effort, but also with constant help with every
> little thing, she did manage to meet minimum requirements for
> a high school diploma, but clearly was not going to be able
> to handle the rigorous academics of college. There are
> published guides to LD services in colleges and most colleges
> do offer support services and accommodations. I think
> visiting and talking to students with similar needs would be
> key to finding a good match for your student. Good luck.

… they enroll in “developmental” courses in reading, some of which are pretty good!

Is six too many?

I am a junior in high school and will graduate next year 2003. I have a learning disability and Attention Deficit Disorder and have been looking at Landmark College. But it is quite expensive. My parents have saved money for college since I was a toddler. But truly they do not have the money it would take to send me to a school which is as expensive as Landmark. Especially since last month my father lost his job with all the technology companies down sizing. I have gotten information on the Landmark and have looked your web site.
In the last 3 years of high school I have taken Resource Room math, english. I have had a regular World History and or US History with in class support and this year instead of Resource Room english. I have English 3 inclusion. I also have a
Supplemental with a special ed teacher to give me more time on tests and to help me with study for my classes. I also started going to vocational school for commercial art half day this year and will also go next year.
I also have attained honor roll all 4 marking periods last year and the year before and this school year so far 1 marking period. Does any one know if Landmark offers any scholarships for students who are high acheviers with learning disabilitys and or Attention Deficit Disorder ?
If not I will probly have to go to our local community college and live at home.

Lynn University Old Forge NY (in the Adirondack Park) has a program for LD students. Also NYIT has a VIP program (Vocational Independance Program) in Central Islip, Long Island.

Our son is currently in his first year at a small, midwestern liberal arts college. He is getting good support from their learning center, but it has become obvious that his organizational and executive functioning problems are too overwhelming for him to stay at this school. He misses classes, assignments and meetings, even meals. I have looked into local community colleges which have programs for LD students, but it appears that they rely heavily on peer counseling and I am afraid that they will not really address the problems that are keeping him from succeeding. He has an above average IQ, is very good at spelling and grammar and math, but has problems with anything requiring organization: research papers, etc.
I am thinking that Lankmark College may be a good (although very expensive) option. He obviously needs help with notetaking, organizing, study skills. But the psychiatrist who monitors his medication for AD/HD has expressed some doubts about Landmark being the appropriate place. His impression is that some students have more behavioral problems and that they may not be as high functioning as my son. My feeling at this point is that his learning disabilities must be addressed before he can take advantage of any “giftedness” he may have.
Can anyone address my son’s doctor’s misgivings about Landmark College? I do not want to send him to another school which is not appropriate for him.

You may be interested in checking out Muskingum College at muskingum.edu. They have a great program for LD/ADHD that provides professional tudors 1hr per course a college student takes. They recommend a reduced course load. They are strategy based with lots of academic support!