<p>OP,</p>
<p>May want to check out the arts major forum. Lots of discussion on Art Schools vs. LAC and different kinds of art majors.</p>
<p>My D is pursuing the art school route, coming from a creative and performing arts high school.</p>
<p>"he also said that he would be happy to go by himself for the tour if i am not happy with these choices... he also thinks he probably should finance the tuition & room & board himself & get help from me for books and daily expenses......he feels if he is paying he will be more responsible."</p>
<p>I am very impressed by his high level of motivation. My experience with older S is that if a smart ADHD student is willing to pitch in their own funds to support their dreams, they will move heaven and earth to be responsible. It's nice that your S is showing that level of motivation and responsibility.</p>
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<blockquote> <p>I went to a fabulous Art college in Boston .. had a great time..learned alot about life.....but did not come out with the ability to make a good living......my son is so much brighter than i am....I would love to see him use his critical thinking & excellent debating skills....but I guess it is not my choice...<<</p> </blockquote>
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<p>I'm going through some of the angst about children "coming out of college without the ability to make a good living" right now with my offspring so I am sensitive to this! If he is responsible enough and motivated enough to make those plans about his future, he will find some way to make a living - you did, didn't you?
One thing I have noticed - some people work to support their passions/interests and they often need to make comparatively high salaries in order to afford those passions, some people work at their passion, and sometimes need less money in order to be happy, and some flip-flop back and forth, and need time as much as money. A number of the creative people I know fall into the second category - as long as they can eat, and have a place to sleep, and can create - they're happy.</p>
<p>i will try that forum...thanks</p>
<p>This is something new from him.....He has never been a good saver.....
but he is maturing....we'll see.</p>
<p>I guess that is true........coming from an Art background...sometimes I wish I had a profession,I could retire early and be a full time artist...</p>
<p>........and I am being old fashioned & sexist here, but a man really needs a good solid career or business if he wants to support a family..........</p>
<p>I know several ( quite a few actually) artists-who are reasonably successful( my age)
They do what it takes to make their art- they can't not do it.
Creating actually allows people to be more flexible- artists often have steady jobs- teaching- or computer design- or working in the family business while they build up their portfolios and contacts.
I have raised my girls to expect to support themselves, and I imagine many other parents have done the same-
I would never suggest to a boy that he needs to go into a career that is "more" steady- because he needs to support a family
Example- my brother in law belongs to a religion where the women don't work period-( out of the home) and they like to have lots of children. He had several financial related degrees, and had worked his way up over many years to CFO-sounds pretty stable right?
because of the unstability of several industries/off shoring/technology advances etc, he is now, when he should be getting ready to retire, having to barely get by, by selling insurance and getting groceries at the food bank.
By contrast- how can you offshore creativity?
If you have a unique voice- and people want it- no one can replace you :)</p>
<p>Fairleigh Dickenson, in Madison, New Jersey, has one of the best programs for learning disabled kids around. My son had ADD. As a result of their strong program in tutoring and close contact with the learning center, he will graduate with honors. They also have a very decent art program too. Check them out.</p>
<p>It is very typical of students with ADHD to do well in subjects or with teachers that they like, and do poorly in their other classes. Don't know if that is true for your son. </p>
<p>Many students with ADHD, my son included, also have a hard time with writing. While we aren't ruling out an LAC for my son, we are worried that the writing demands of an LAC can be even more intense than at a regular university.</p>
<p>It isn't clear if your question is where could a student with your son's interests get accepted, or if your question is what schools offer both the right kind of LD/ ADHD support and a decent art program. The answers may not be the same.</p>
<p>Congratulations taxguy! The research suggests that only 5% of students with ADHD successfully complete college. Sounds like your son beat the odds.</p>
<p>I was just wondering if someone comes out of a college that is based around learning disabilities would'nt prospective employers could hold this against them? (kind of a red flag for 'i have special needs')</p>
<p>I have ADHD, i realise that it does not stop us from being a asset to a company... but many employers may well hold it against you (?). Unless its the case that a person cannot function without a college based around thier needs would'nt it sometimes be better for them to go to a 'normal college' with good support services? </p>
<p>Also just wanted to add that i was very mediocore in high school (due to a few reasons one of the main being learning problems) but am going really well at university, my parents are quite suprised.. there is hope :)</p>
<p>"I was just wondering if someone comes out of a college that is based around learning disabilities would'nt prospective employers could hold this against them? (kind of a red flag for 'i have special needs')"</p>
<p>I doubt it. There are plenty of jobs that LD people can do. People get hired based on their skills and experience (particularly during college internships). Having a college degree is usually essential, but what makes the difference between college grads who are hired vs. those who are not hired is what skills and job experiences the students have.</p>
<p>There are plenty of jobs that people can do well despite having LDs. These include professional jobs.</p>
<p>Many students at Landmark College go on to other four-year universities. Their four-year diploma would be from whatever school they trasferred to.</p>
<p>sid, That is hopeful news! What has been the key difference for you in college?</p>
<p>
[quote]
The research suggests that only 5% of students with ADHD successfully complete college.
[/quote]
Gee, that's nice to hear for all us CC parents of ADD kids.....</p>
<p>well my D is in her 2nd semester of senior year at one of the toughest schools in the country and she has learning differences as well as ADD, so I am crossing my fingers :)</p>
<p>EK, your d is almost done, she'll make it!! But between you and taxguy, you've taken most of our spots! ;)</p>
<p>I don't know where that 5% graduation rate for ADHD comes from, but my oldest S. graduated and youngest is dean's list at a tough school. </p>
<p>Friendshiplady, if you have that source, I would be interested.</p>
<p>Just found this thread...My ADD/LD son with quite high SAT scores but less stellar grades decided in the Fall of his Senior year he was not going to college because he wanted to concentrate on his competitive ballroom dancing. Some mental health professionals have advised us to totally support him financially (apartment near his studio 50 miles from home, living expenses, cost of lessons and competitions)since he is highly motivated to perfect his dancing, while another says to cut off funds for dance training unless he goes to school full-time or gets a job, so that he can learn responsibility and face reality. Too bad there is not a school (other than Brigham Young which he will not consider) for ballroom dance majors that offers a college degree - those of you with children planning art majors are more fortunate in that regard.</p>
<p>"sid, That is hopeful news! What has been the key difference for you in college?"</p>
<p>SBmom, I have found that university is more geard towards helping students and has more resources than high school (i have notakers and use computers in exams and extra time etc). I also suffer from a chronic illness so most of my support needs are based around that but they are bascially what i needed for ADHD/dyslexia anyway (the dyslexia is a type that i can read well but i write things backwards/jumbbled, bit different to most). The less contact hours actaully helps me as i found contact hours very draining (thats more the illness though i suppose but i think it also could be the ADHD), of course if i need more contact hours i can seek out prof's but usually i can work when im focused and rest when i am not. I also get to choose every subject as i am a ARTS major (history) and therefore i am passionate about every one of my subjects. I realise in life we have to do things we dont like but its still a big help to enjoy all your subjects.</p>
<p>The 5% college graduation rate is pretty widely quoted, and comes from Russell Barkley. I've seen the following resource cited:</p>
<p>Barkley RA, Murphy KR. Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A Clinical Workbook, 2nd ed. New York: Guilford Publications Inc; 1998</p>
<p>Thomas Brown has also done research in this area--but he looked at students with IQs greater than 120. He found that closer to 50% graduated college. I've heard him talk about that in a CHADD lecture, and if he's published it, I don't know the citation.</p>