Post-Secondary Options for Students with
Learning Disabilities and ADHD
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After high school, students can consider a variety of options regarding the educational endeavors or other productive experiences that they would like to pursue. It is often helpful for students with learning disabilities and/or ADHD to begin examining post-secondary options well before graduating from high school. When students begin exploring post-secondary alternatives early on during high school, it is more likely that they will be able to make an informed decision about the best pathway for their post-secondary life. It is also important to note that one alternative can lead to another option. For example, if a student decides to pursue a post-secondary education at a community college, he/she can explore transfer options leading to a four-year institution.
A Sample of Options to Consider
Four-Year Colleges
One option that students can consider after completing high school is a four-year college. It is important for students to take into account their academic needs, strengths, and goals in order to determine if a four-year college would be a good fit. When considering four-year colleges, it is helpful to find out as much as possible about all colleges of interest in order to find an institution that is a good match. Some of the important information that students are encouraged to examine about each four-year college of interest includes:
Community Colleges and Junior Colleges
Another option that students can consider involves community colleges or junior colleges. Community colleges offer a number of potential benefits for students, which can include pursuing post-secondary educational goals in a familiar environment near home, earning an associates degree in an area of interest, and/or becoming familiar with college instructors, schedules, and courses prior to attending a four-year instruction. Some of the important information that students are encouraged to examine about a community college or junior college includes:
Trade Schools
Another option that post-secondary students can consider is a trade school. A trade school typically provides specialized instruction and job training in a particular field. This option may be appealing for students who know that they are interested in a specific job or vocational field. Students can view trade school options by location and/or by field on the following websites: Trade-Schools and Real Work Matters.
Gap Year
A gap year is another that post-secondary students can consider. A gap year for college-bound students typically involves exploring interests and/or engaging in productive endeavors prior to enrolling in a college. There are a variety of programs and alternatives that students can consider after they have completed high school. For example, there are certain programs designed for students with learning disabilities and ADHD. One example of this type of program is called the Gateway Adventure Program. More information on this program can be found by using the following link: Gateway Adventure Program. Other gap year experiences that students can consider involve participating in volunteer work, developing academic skills in an educationally-based program, and/or gaining employment experience.
A Sample of Options to Consider
Four-Year Colleges
One option that students can consider after completing high school is a four-year college. It is important for students to take into account their academic needs, strengths, and goals in order to determine if a four-year college would be a good fit. When considering four-year colleges, it is helpful to find out as much as possible about all colleges of interest in order to find an institution that is a good match. Some of the important information that students are encouraged to examine about each four-year college of interest includes:
- The college's admission requirements.
- The disability support resources and services (note: see the questions link on this site for items to ask a disability support provider at a college)
- The average class sizes (including average class sizes for freshmen level courses).
- The housing options available for students.
- The majors and academic programs.
- The general academic and advising resources that are available for all students attending the college.
- The percentage of students that graduate from the institution in four years.
- The retention rate of students after one year.
- The location of the college in relation to the distance from home.
- The community surrounding the campus.
- The social opportunities and extracurricular organizations of interest.
- The cost, potential scholarships, and sources of financial aid.
Community Colleges and Junior Colleges
Another option that students can consider involves community colleges or junior colleges. Community colleges offer a number of potential benefits for students, which can include pursuing post-secondary educational goals in a familiar environment near home, earning an associates degree in an area of interest, and/or becoming familiar with college instructors, schedules, and courses prior to attending a four-year instruction. Some of the important information that students are encouraged to examine about a community college or junior college includes:
- The cost in comparison to a four-year college.
- The types of academic programs available (examples: associate's degree, transfer pathways to a four-year institution, or job-specific skills training).
- The disability support service and resources and accommodations (note: a number of the items on the 'questions' page of this site are applicable when speaking with a disability support provider about a community college).
- The articulation and credit agreements between the community college and four-year institutions (if applicable).
- The general academic and advising resources at the college.
- The familiarity with the community and the resources in the area surrounding a college.
- The availability of courses for first-year students (example: are first-year students often closed out of courses due to limited space?).
- The flexibility of course scheduling (examples: can a student enroll part-time? how many units are considered full time?).
- The percentage of students who complete an associates degree and/or a transfer pathway within two to three years at the college.
- The retention rate of students after one year at the college.
- The extracurricular and social organizations at the college that are available for students.
- Financial aid options.
Trade Schools
Another option that post-secondary students can consider is a trade school. A trade school typically provides specialized instruction and job training in a particular field. This option may be appealing for students who know that they are interested in a specific job or vocational field. Students can view trade school options by location and/or by field on the following websites: Trade-Schools and Real Work Matters.
Gap Year
A gap year is another that post-secondary students can consider. A gap year for college-bound students typically involves exploring interests and/or engaging in productive endeavors prior to enrolling in a college. There are a variety of programs and alternatives that students can consider after they have completed high school. For example, there are certain programs designed for students with learning disabilities and ADHD. One example of this type of program is called the Gateway Adventure Program. More information on this program can be found by using the following link: Gateway Adventure Program. Other gap year experiences that students can consider involve participating in volunteer work, developing academic skills in an educationally-based program, and/or gaining employment experience.