Bipolar son with LD applying to college

Parents Forum Learning Differences and Challenges - LD, ADHD
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<p>My son is a rising senior diagnosed with ADHD in 7th grade and began taking medication which helped. However, by 10th grade, we realized that the ADHD diagnosis was not telling the whole story. S was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder in January and is now taking medication to address the symptoms (mood stabilizer, antidepressants and Concerta/Ritalin). </p>

<p>He is doing much better but receives a lot of academic support in the form of tutoring and me organizing his life for him. He has made progress but with just one year left of high school, the shift to college will no doubt be difficult. Academically, he is a B/C student. Much depends on his relationship with the teachers which, when good, motivates him to do his best. So, his GPA is around a 2.8. The average GPA at the international school he attends in Rome Italy for graduating seniors is around 3.1, so he is not as far off as one would think. However, he is NOT taking any IB courses (most students graduate with the IB diploma) which means an easier academic load. This year he will be taking an AP online course in psychology and Math Studies, English IV, Italian IV and Biology II. </p>

<p>His ACT composite score was 23, with a 25 in English and Reading, 22 in Science and 21 in Math. He will be taking the ACT again at the end of September. We chose to go with the ACT rather than with the SAT because of the accommodations awarded him. College Board granted time and a half while the ACT granted time and half AND testing over multiple days in his school environment. Clearly a better scenario for him. </p>

<p>His psychological testing describes him as having ADHD and a receptive and expressive language disorder. When researching colleges, I noticed that the schools with structured programs emphasize that their programs are only for students with ADHD and/or language based learning disorders with average or above average intelligence, so he fits the bill. We are considering schools like Adelphi and Curry although he found Adelphi "depressing" when we visited. It is apparently a commuter school which makes for an empty campus on evenings and weekends.
While I feel that these schools are definitely where we should be looking, I am concerned that the social life aspect of the schools would exacerbate the depression that characterizes his Bipolar disorder. </p>

<p>So, in a nutshell, he needs a school that has a campus situation that is vibrant and social (he is very socially adept) but that also offers a structured program for his learning disabilities AND easy access to mental health professionals. He does prefer to be in or near a city such as Boston, New York or Chicago but I realize that we can't be limited by this. SInce I live in Rome I don't have the luxury of visiting the campuses while school is in session. With my three older children (Brown, Boston College and Georgia Tech), seeing the campus with students was fundamental in the decision. AGain, the major factors for him would be the social life of the school and structured LD program availability with mental health professionals available. </p>

<p>I would appreciate anyone with experience to share!</p>

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<p>I would check out Dean College in Franklin, MA. It is a beautiful campus and a short train ride to Boston. Train station is walking distance from campus. They have several specialized LD programs. They offer some four-year but mostly two-year degrees but have transfer agreements with several Boston area uni’s. D and I both loved this school but the FA did not work out for us.</p>

<p>I’d be most concerned about you “organizing his life for him” as I think this will be the most difficult part of the transition for both of you! He definitely needs a school that will emphasize executive function skills and will keep a close eye on him given his mental health diagnosis.</p>

<p>I’ve also heard great things about the disability services at Lesley U in Cambridge, MA. Many students from D’s current college transfer there with positive results.</p>

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<p>DePaul University is in Chicago proper in an upscale pedestrian-friendly residential neighborhood easily accessible to both airport (via subway) and downtown (subway or on foot). It has an excellent reputation for its LD-related services, and for its comfortable environment for kids with mental health issues, whether Bipolar Disorder or Aspergers. I’m aware of specific students who fit such categorization, who are doing well. School will also work with parents and student if a medical leave is needed. A “B/B+” student has an excellent change at admissions, and the school offers a wide variety of programs, with an excellent business school as well as a film program. </p>

<p>There are direct flights between Chicago and Rome. Are you truly ok with your son attending school in US, far from easier parental supervision?</p>

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<p>Given that your son was just diagnosed in January and in still stabilizing on meds, would it make sense to consider a gap year program of some sort (perhaps closer to you) rather than sending him off to college? That would give him an extra year to stabilize, work out coping skills and mature a bit more. There are academic and nonacademic options.</p>

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<p>Agree with the gap year suggestion. I am a professor and they tell us to really watch out for “unusual symptoms” and don’t leave it up to professionals to decide if your child might/could be a threat.</p>

<p>You want to find a supportive setting, so yes small school would probably help. I teach at a school with about 10,000 students, and we have had issues with kids with Asperger’s, everything from just having difficulty talking to being belligerent. One kid threw a bottle cap at a teacher. Professors have NO training, just warning emails implying that we, as non-psychologists, would somehow be able to detect “warning signs”.</p>

<p>Would you consider one of the colleges where another of your children is? Or somewhere there is other family support, someone to reach out to him?</p>

<p>And as a professor, I am not 100% dedicated to students starting school directly after high school. Many students would be better off in a training program, and then using tuition reimbursement to take a few classes.</p>

<p>It’s also interesting the symptoms you mentioned. My son has a sleep disorder, and he shows symptoms that look like ADD or bipolar disorder, but once the sleep disorder was treated, the mental health issues went away.</p>

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<p>@rhandco, not sure why you are concentrating on warning signs and threats–OP made no indications that there are any issues of violence and the overwhelming majority of folks who are bipolar are not violent. If he was in an uncontrolled manic or psychotic state that would be another story but… In this case sounds like he needs academic and therapeutic support, not a restraining order.</p>