Resources for Older Students

College

One of the most difficult decisions faced by students with different learning styles who want to continue their education is how to select a college that will meet their particular academic needs.

Our Life After High School Conferences have brought high school students and their families together with representatives of college programs with extensive services for students with learning differences. Our Conference information includes links to the schools represented at our most recent Conference.

We like two college guides, Peterson’s Colleges for Students with Learning Disabilities or ADD and The K&W Guide to Colleges for Students with Learning Disabilities. Both are helpful with somewhat different formats, Peterson being in a more narrative format and organized by the type of program (structured, self-directed, two-year , four-year) and K&W being organized by geographical location.

We also recommend the Guide to Effective College Planning prepared by the Western New York Collegiate Consortium. The Consortium describes itself as a group of education professionals and others who are directly involved in working with students with disabilities. The group was originally formed to address the needs of students with disabilities on Western New York college campuses, and has expanded its focus to include the preparation of students with disabilities for the transition from high school to college.

Two books that we think can be helpful for students with learning differences who are making the transition to college are Transitional Skills for Post Secondary Success and the brief Survival Guide for College Students with ADHD or LD.

For a more personal approach, one well recommended college adviser is Allen Tinkler, a former special education teacher. Previously residing on Long Island, he is now based in New Jersey and tells us that he has visited over 370 colleges nationwide. He can be reached at either 516-770-3226 or 732-656-1718 or by email at CollegeForYou@gmail.com.

We also can recommend Christina Cacioppo Bertsch, who works with students and their families to evaluate current disability documentation; create a portfolio of colleges that will meet a student’s needs; secure necessary accommodations for college work and exams; and provide self-advocacy training to help students use their college accommodations. She can be reached at (631) 244-5727 or at education.consultant@hotmail.com.

And make sure to take a look at our section on testing issues which contains information on the SAT and ACT exams and related issues.