<p>I learned of a new criterion for shopping for colleges on Monday evening when I met with a parent group for discussion of college admission issues. One issue that came up, which I know nothing about, is that some teens have an ADD or ADHD diagnosis and are looking for appropriate support services as they decide what college to attend. I'd like to find out more about this issue. </p>
<p>ADD COACH? </p>
<p>One mom in Monday's discussion mentioned that sometimes an ADD coach can be a useful resource to help a student with ADD keep up with college schedule demands. She reported that one college in our area provides referrals to professionals who coach students with ADD, but has no one on staff to provide that service. I didn't have enough time to ask follow-up questions to find out whether the college would fund professional fees to hire a third-party ADD coach, which is what the mom is now looking for. What is the usual practice at the colleges you know best? Do a lot kids at college with ADD confer from time to time with an ADD coach, or are the students usually on their own? </p>
<p>TESTING/HOMEWORK ACCOMMODATIONS? </p>
<p>I also know nothing about what might be an appropriate accommodation for college testing or college homework done by a student with ADD. Is a body of standard practice developing on this issue, or do colleges vary a lot in what they arrange? What makes the most sense according to your knowledge of what is appropriate? </p>
<p>SHOPPING FOR COLLEGES? </p>
<p>Some of the parents I met with on Monday have kids already in college, and some have kids applying to college this year. If ADD is a concern, what should a parent look for in a college? What should the student look for when deciding which offer of admission to accept? </p>
<p>Hi tokenadult,
I probably am not much help as our son was diagnosed with ADD and some LDs after he was already in college. At that school, he received extra time on tests if he desired, could take tests in a testing center instead of classroom if he felt classroom environment was distracting, and could use laptop in class for note taking (this was allowed at this school anyway).</p>
<p>He transferred after soph. year--but had nothing to do with the ADD. His second school is much larger, larger classes, less contact with profs. He still receives extra time, testing center, laptop usage in class and this school has "note takers" if desired.</p>
<p>I really feel that the smaller school was good for him starting out. It was easier to discuss questions with profs, classes were not over about 30 people and often were only 12-15, much more communication and no TAs.</p>
<p>One thing I believe all schools require is a professional testing/evaluation report that must be within the last 3 years.</p>
<p>I know nothing about the ADD coach.</p>
<p>Another thing that helped son in some of his classes was the use of a tape recorder. That way he could listen to lecture without taking notes, then listen again later and take notes. (That probably wouldn't work in the larger classes he has presently).</p>
<p>There's a whole forum of CC called "learning disabilities" with a lot of wisdom.</p>
<p>Just click on "Discussion Home" (top left of this page), then scroll way down below the list of grad schools, until you see the section called "PreCollege Issues." Under that subheading you'll see the section about "Learning Challenges and Disabilities." A lot of it is relevant to ADD/ADHD, accommodations, all of that.</p>
<p>The Princeton Review has a 700-page publication called "K&W Guide to Colleges for Students with Learning Disabilities" that gives lots of detailed information about the LD/ADHD services available at hundreds of colleges. It is a good starting point.</p>