Our son has multiple learning disabilities monitored since kindergarten. He has an IEP (individual education plan). He is passing all regular curriculum but it has been a struggle. I am starting to investigate disability centers at different colleges. He is a football player. Any experience with athletes with IEPs? Thank you.
IEP will end with high school graduation. You may be able to continue some of the same supports, but you will need to arrange that and some schools may not offer the same supports he’s been getting in high school. If they do not cost the school anything, like sitting in the front row, extra time on exams, priority registration (which he’ll get from football anyway), tutoring that is available to all students (football also provides), etc. Some will provide note takers or note transcribers.
What are you looking for?
Thank you. I am trying to get educated . Our older child just got admitted and will play D1 college / different sport. Our in coming 9th grader 6’5 220lbs is playing both football and basketball. I know I can get accommodations for his ACT/SAT. But also I have heard about disability centers. But have no idea how these operate in college.
The University of Arizona has the SALT Center. I’ve also heard that Colorado State is accommodating for kids with LDs.
Thank you.
As an athlete he’s likely to get free tutoring and priority registration anyway, and will likely have a certain number of hours of mandatory “study table” each week. Accommodations like extra time on tests, testing in a quiet space (not the classroom), being allowed to type test answers on a computer vs hand writing them, and even use of a notetaker or scribe, may be available through the college’s Disability Office. But the student needs to be proactive about (1) registering with the office and (2) staying on top of the requirements to get the needed accommodations. Examples of the latter would be contacting each prof each semester, providing them with a letter from the Disability Office spelling out what accommodations he qualifies for, filling out any necessary forms (e.g. giving Disability a list of test dates for the semester, so they can arrange for the student to take them at the Disability Center with extended time), and following up that the tests have been received at Disability a day or two before the scheduled date.
Unfortunately, if executive function issues are part of your son’s LDs, then staying on top of those requirements may be an issue in itself, and there’s not always much help for that. My son’s school has “academic coaches” that students can meet with for free, but they did not help with EF stuff. I did a LOT of reminding last year, and even then my son missed a few deadlines. Luckily both the Disability staff and his profs were sympathetic and he was able to make alternative arrangements when he needed them.
Each college will typically have its own disability office. They will review the paperwork and make a decision on what reasonable accommodations are permissible. Typically the accommodations that are offered in high school will also generally apply in college. But each college is different.
Whatever you do, don’t mention any of this to the admissions office. Communication with the disability office is protected by privacy laws. You don’t even have to divulge this to the coach.
1 Like
Thank you! Very helpful.
Thank you for responding.
Thank you!
Thank you. Great information.
Check out UIUC https://www.disability.illinois.edu
Look at Curry College. The Headmaster of my secondary school sent his son there. A very supportive environment. See https://www.curry.edu/about-us
Hi sgopal2. Why do you recommend not disclosing disabilities or IEPs to admissions or coaches for recruited athletes? Would love your thoughts on this. Thanks
Thank you. Good question. Would like to know as well.
EUgirl, we’re just learning about all of this too. But one D1 coach told my daughter that their team has an academic advisor assigned to it and that the advisor would help handle IEP accomodations for any athlete on that team. The coach just happened to mention that not knowing that my daughter has an IEP. My daughter didn’t pursue that question any further so we’re not sure exactly what that means but at the very least other athletes on the team have IEPs!
IEPs don’t exist in college. Students can get accommodations, but they’re not IEPs.
Typically, a student talks to the disabilities office and may need to provide documentation of issues involved. Then the office writes a letter summarizing the accommodations the student is entitled to. It is up to the student to give the letter to each professor each semester.
MaineLonghorn - Yes, thanks for pointing that out for clarity. I should I have said “had” IEPs. The good news to us was that any child would not be alone on the team in terms of coming in with and having had an IEP in high school and needing/getting accommodations. Someone would be there to assist in translating those IEPs and Neuropyschs into accomodations. It can be a scary road for these kids!
1 Like
It’s so common for kids to need accommodations these days that the disabilities office is really good at helping them. They were so kind to my son, whose severe mental illness was almost paralyzing. He ended up dropping out of college, but I’m still happy he had almost three years of classes under his belt. He couldn’t have done that without accommodations.
Since his case was so severe, I actually talked to a few of his professors (never thought I would be doing that!!). They assured me that they get several students every semester who need accommodations. His advisor was particularly kind and shared with us that she had been diagnosed with depression as a teenager.
Thank you all. It’s a battle for our kids. At least we can get educated how the system works and what is available.