<p>missypie, my vote would be for a small school with good disabilities support rather than commuting to some school that isn't a good fit. I also second what scansmom said about general workshops on study skills, time management, how to succeed in college, etc. Many schools have them, and recommend them, for all freshmen. You might want to check out the websites of colleges' counseling departments because that could give you some indication of what's available. I read on another thread about a kid with AS who went to Penn, so it can be done.</p>
<p>His mind just works diffently than mine, and probably differently from those giving the organizational/study skills workshops. </p>
<p>Over the summer I had him read two organizational books recommended on this board, including "Learning Outside the Lines." I asked him what he had learned from the books. "To simplify" he said. Sounded good. Then he explained. Last year, he had a folder for each class. Since the book said to simplify, this year he would have a single folder for all of his classes. </p>
<p>No no no no no!!! His mind just works differently!</p>
<p>missypie -- I LOVE your son's conclusion. Tell me it's not logical :)!</p>
<p>Who knows - maybe the one folder approach would work.</p>
<p>After many years of trying the multiple folders, different notebook for each class or one notebook with dividers for each class, large binders with a tab for each subject, and every other organizational doohinkie available - at one point in my college career I chucked them all out the window and went to my first week of classes with ONE notebook. One notebook for all 4 classes. No multiple folders, no dividers, no tabs, no binders. I simple labeled the top of each page in all caps the title of the class at the start of the lecture. I also always made sure to start a new page for the next class, filling up the notebook page by page. When it came time to study for midterms, I ripped them out, stapled them into 4 bunches according to the class title. Voila. Repeat for finals. The BEST semester I ever had. (I also kept ONE folder for any loose-leaf handouts. Just one.)</p>
<p>I never had to fumble around for the right notebook or folder for the class... I just grabbed my one notebook and one folder. I always had the right supplies on hand. If I had some time to kill and wanted to do some spot studying, I had my notes from all 4 classes at my fingertips. </p>
<p>So - who knows. Maybe one folder might work. :)</p>
<p>Annika</p>
<p>On the topic of a coach...I recently saw a post on "Craig's List" from a college student who was asking to hire a coach (poster had Asperger's), preferrably another college student. The poster (if I remember correctly) wanted help with organization as well as some social aspects of college.</p>
<p>Craig's List is a great place to find tutors/teachers (you have to screen carefully). We got a wonderful French tutor for our 6 year old at a fraction of the price of French schools ($40 an hour, split between several parents). If you find someone who is already a teacher of some sort, you have the added guarantee that a mutli-prong background check has already been successfully run on them.</p>
<p>So...it's Friday of the first week of school and he now has a zero in AP English...the homework was done, his wallet and keys were on top of it so he wouldn't forget it, but he still forgot it...zero and the teacher doesn't take late work. The story of his school career. The meeting to talk about getting him help in orginizational skills is next Friday. Obviously a week too late. I'm quite depressed.</p>
<p>Missypie, I don't have any words of wisdom. I just wanted to send hugs your way. Hang in there & keep fighting for him.</p>
<p>That's tough, missypie. We've been through that--painful. Hopefully it's just one homework that he can rebound from. Maybe the teacher will give some extra credit throughout the year?</p>
<p>That's been the problem of going through HS without accomodations. It is perfectly reasonable for the teacher of a senior level AP course to have a no late work policy....That is why my smart kid has the GPA that he does. But the GPA is too good to show the total failure that would merit him accomodations.</p>
<p>Notwithstanding all of this, I am comforted by the ideas and options you have provided on this thread. Now there's a Plan A, B and C.</p>
<p>Missypie,
How much help have you been giving him at home in terms of organizing his schoolwork? If his gpa reflects your organizing assistance, that would be something to keep in mind as you consider college options for him.</p>
<p>NSM-
Agree 100%!!!
I've mentioned my smart, high GPA/SAT kid who crashed and almost burned when he went away to flagship/party state U.
I realized that much of his academic success was due to our help with organization, and when that safety net was removed, the fall was quite painful.</p>
<p>Trying to take a step back with son#3, but it is VERY HARD.
But we're trying anyway.</p>
<p>mom2three,
I went through that experience with older S who was like yours. Having him flunk out of college and then do a major crash and burn when he was on his own was the most painful experience of my life. Compared to that, it was easy to step back and then watch younger S crash and burn as a h.s. senior, and consequently take a gap year living at home and doing fulltime volunteer work. That S is now a soph in a college away from home, and is a dean's list student because feeling the consequences of his own disorganization inspired him to learn to organize himself.</p>
<p>"But the GPA is too good to show the total failure that would merit him accomodations."</p>
<p>That's one problem right there. His school doesn't understand that a kid can be bright and still have a learning disability. Grrr.</p>
<p>As a comparison, I wear glasses even though I'm not legally blind without them.</p>
<p>mom2three & Northstarmom--that's making me nervous. I've been monitoring son & his work for a while...hoping that's not leading to dependence/ultimate college crash/burn.</p>
<p>Each of our kids is different. I have tried to keep S & D as independent as possible (partly because I honestly haven't really been able to help them with content in their courses for quite some time now). It seems to be working out. We let our D crash & burn in HS (it was partly due to absences caused by chronic health issues), but told her what her options were. She chose the options that were least objectionable and is quite pleased at where they are leading now two years later. </p>
<p>It was & continues to be painful to live through her crashes & burning (which still continues to varying degrees as she is learning to better pace herself). We are encouraging her to be better at self-monitoring, pacing, and advocating for herself, as these are tools she will need.</p>
<p>Gratefully, S has weathered similar health issues with significantly more grace and less turmoil--for him & us. We have hope that things will even out for D in the near future, before we sprout additional white hair.</p>
<p>Himom--Glad you've been able to encourage your daughter to pace, advocate, etc. for herself. That's important. I haven't been able to help son much w/content either--except w/writing (editing, etc.). But I have been doing a lot of monitoring via computer (school gives computer access to whether all assignments are done--from homework to tests). This has been a blessing (son's grades increased astronomically, due to other factors, also). But, college is going to be such a big, big change. </p>
<p>I'm personally scared of those 'all night video game' opportunities w/the other guys in the dorm & other social opportunities. Know son needs & should have this...but hasn't had much opportunity to juggle it all on his own....</p>
<p>Yea, I know my kids have a tendency to stay up too late, but I try to let them stay up & suffer the consequences so that they will learn not to do it in the future. It's tough but I feel in the long run, it's what I need to do. I have bitten my tongue for the most part thru HS. My sibblings on the other hand use a much heavier hand and we will see how things work out for our kids.</p>
<p>I feel that my nieces drink much more heavily than mine & am not sure whether it's due to differences in the individuals, our attitudes in raising them or other factors.</p>
<p>I know that my kids recognize that I will not rescue them when they're exhausted because they made poor choices (especially staying up too late). </p>
<p>I don't monitor my kids via computer--not even sure whether that was an option with their schools. They know it is their responsibility to handle school & one way or another they are managing. </p>
<p>D had to get a GED--the only one in her HS bunch to do so--and start community college in what should have been her senior year in HS. It was not what she or we wanted, but it was the best of the options at the time & is working out for her, as she will be soon transferring to her preferred school as a 2nd semester sophomre. We are proud of her & she is more mindful of the things she needs to do to keep her self competitive & functioning.</p>
<p>We are going with her to her U in October to meet with the offices that will help with her transition to 2500 miles away (5 hour plane ride). We're happy for her and know that she has overcome a great deal to get where she wants to be.</p>
<p>Himom--good for your daughter! I bet she will be a student who really appreciates her university opportunity; perhaps more than others.</p>