<p>I have a friend whose daughter was in an accident and suffered some degree of brain injury. She is recovering but although IQ is not affected, concentration and retrieval of information is not what it was before the accident. This injury is still healing and should make a full recovery in
time. She is in college but wants to move closer to home. She did OK
this semester but not well enough to allow transfer to a comparable school on grades alone. Just curious if any of the top schools accept
students with a learning issue that will not prohibit them from doing OK but
probably not allow them to be a straight A student??</p>
<p>There are some college guides out that are focus on learning disabled students. That would give you some valuable information.</p>
<p>The unit that provides this service at my university reports to me. I can't be specific without a comprehensive diagnosis on the young lady in question but in general, the two concerns you mention - lack of concentration and impairment of info retrieval - would warrant an accommodation. We have worked with many students presenting these concerns on our campus. Some things to suggest:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Most important - the young lady will need to be (if she hasn't been already) assessed by a qualified diagnostician. The diagnostician should have experience in working with colleges to establish accommodations. This is important as the diagnostician must be specific in terms of the intervention that "levels the playing field" so to speak.</p></li>
<li><p>The assessment must have been done in the last three years, in most cases.</p></li>
<li><p>The assessment must determine that a major life function is impaired. </p></li>
</ol>
<p>We have found that with accommodation, students in our program graduate at about the same rate as the non-served population and have good grades.</p>
<p>The acommodation is provided, not to give advantage, but to allow, as you note, an unimpaired intellect to express itself without being inhibited by the damage caused by the accident.</p>
<p>You or your friend can search on prospective campus's websites for terms like "learning disability" "accommodation" "Office of Equal Opportunity" "ADA" "Americans with Disabilities Act"</p>
<p>Purdue has a good website search on "closed head injury" and you'll find some specifics.</p>
<p>Here is the one at our university:</p>
<p>Look for something like these.</p>
<p>Although it is incumbent on all schools to provide these accommodations, some do a better job than others. Be sure to try to identify the office providing the services and visit with them in person, if at all possible. Ask for referrals to students who use their services and are willing to discuss them. Search the college newspaper, you may find complimentary or critical articles, letters to the editor, etc.</p>
<p>If all else fails, identify the administrator identified as the "equal opportunity" enforcer. Talk to her/him.</p>
<p>Here is the government website that deals with disabilities and accommodations:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/adahom1.htm%5B/url%5D">http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/adahom1.htm</a></p>
<p>Feel free to private email me and I'll exchange professional email addresses with you to continue this conversation.</p>
<p>Good luck, it's well that your friend has a friend like you.</p>
<p>Sincerely </p>
<p>Bill</p>
<p>Bill - AWESOME post - I am keeping this one for a friend of mine also - with a kiddo who was brain injured from an accident and is making some good progress - not college bound yet - but will be soon enough
Thanx for the great info.</p>
<p>I am making a copy also, KYDad. Thanks so much for sharing your expertise.</p>
<p>It is my understanding that the most elite colleges do not give leeway for physical or mental disabilities but will accomodate those who do make it through the admissions hurdle. The Brooke Ellison story is a testament to how much Harvard is will to do to accomodate a physically handicapped student. But her stats and accomplishments were right up there for admissions purposes.</p>
<p>KYDad, Can't thank you enough. I will pass these links and your
recommendations on to my friend. She has already been through so
much it would be great to find a place near home where she can
continue college but have some support. Biggest problem is that
she was in a really good college and not sure if another one that
level near her home would be accomodating. You are Great!!</p>