If you are a parent of a special-needs teen, you worked with school personnel each and every year to ensure your child received all necessary accommodations consistent with his Individualized Education Plan or 504 plan. However, once it is time for post-secondary school, it’s a whole new ball game.
Parents must decide if their teen is ready to live away from home. Students must deal with an unfamiliar environment, including new classmates, more responsibility, and, oftentimes, a much larger campus than the one he is used to. Therefore, besides looking at program fit, parents should choose a college that is equipped to handle their teen’s unique situation.
Be prepared
Students with special needs should be prepared gradually for this transition, so don’t wait until senior year.
Matthew Cooper, assistant director of Disability Support Services at Seton Hall University in South Orange, N.J., urges parents to teach their children self advocacy, as early as middle school.
“Students with special needs should attend meetings and become familiar with their IEP or 504 plan,” he says.
Parents should ask about workshops for college-bound, special-needs students to garner specifics about the process.
“Although all universities that receive federal funding are required to provide accommodations to eligible students, each university’s documentation process is different. For example, in some instances, showing the disabilities office a copy of your son’s or daughter’s current IEP may be enough for extra time on tests, whereas another office may require updated testing and evaluations.”
Andrea Coren, MEd, a disabilities specialist at Arcadia University in Glenside, Pa., cautions that parents should give their child some independence.
“Parents with the best intentions can become enablers of their teen with special needs. Relinquishing one’s parental role as advocate is a difficult one,” she says. She beseeches parents to gradually allow their young adult to become an expert on his disability and learning style. “This self awareness will translate into self advocacy.”
To assess a teen’s readiness for college life, Coren suggests parents ponder these questions:
• Does he have adequate organization and time-management skills?
• Can he manage money?
• Does he understand his strengths and weaknesses?
It’s in the details
Address specific issues during the search process. Will he be comfortable in large lecture hall settings? Is regular correspondence with a campus advocate a necessity? Are there peer support groups for special-needs students on campus?
Carole Patrylo, EdD, a professor of education at La Salle University, suggests students try out college life before committing to a school.
“Most special-needs students have adjustment issues. They might want to consider attending a smaller community college before transferring to a larger college,” she says. She recommends that students sit in on classes or shadow a student for the day during campus visits.
Parents should keep a list of questions handy. Some might include:
• What are the documentation requirements and timelines for accessing academic accommodations and residence hall accommodations?
• What is the university’s policy for course substitutions or waivers?
• What specialized software is available for students with learning disabilities?
Tips and tales (from high school counselors)
“Our local community college has a fabulous ‘Transition to College’ workshop for special needs students. We are making plans to include a session like this at our evening College Information Night.”
Pam Atkins, guidance counselor at Roosevelt High School, Hyde Park, N.Y.
“Many schools have specific programs to help students with special needs. Those are the best schools to look at! Using the community college as a transition tool is a great way to test the waters and to experience success.”
Ryan Teeter, guidance counselor at Rush-Henrietta Senior High School, Henrietta, N.Y.
Want to share your ideas?
Upcoming topic: Tips to help your teen learn the value of a budget and savings.
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Myrna Beth Haskell is a feature writer, columnist and author of the upcoming book “Lions and Tigers and Teens: Expert advice and support for the conscientious parent just like you” (Unlimited Publishing LLC), now in limited advance release, with broad public availability expected in mid 2012. Visit www.myrnahaskell.com for details.
