can someone who is in a special needs class get into college? people keep telling me i can’t go to college.
Yes, someone in a special needs class can get into college. You will need to be able to show that you are ready for college (academically and socially). That is usually done during the application process when the college reviews your high school transcript, any standardized tests you’ve taken, an essay (depending on the school), and letters of recommendation from your teacher or counselor (again, depending on the school).
There is no need to disclose a need for accommodations during the application process. You may, however, want to research the quality of support services at any school you are thinking about attending. Once a college has accepted you, you can reach out to their support services department about any accommodations you may need. You will probably need an up-to-date IEP or 504 plan or other documentation of your needs. Additionally, not all colleges provide the same services, and many are not as supportive as at public high schools. This is something you will want to find out more about before enrolling anywhere.
Attending a community college before moving on to a 4-year college can also present several benefits. The classes are usually smaller with easier access to the instructor, and possibly other support services. You could begin part-time before moving to full-time classes, if you think that would be a good option.
Additionally, make sure you know why you want to go to college. Depending on your goal, there may be additional means to achieve the goal besides college.
Best of luck to you.
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There are some colleges especially designed for students with special needs, for example Landmark College in Vermont. In addition, not all colleges are the same so some are less dependent on academic skills than others. For example, the Culinary Institute of America with campuses in New York and California is one of the best chef’s schools in the world. SImilarly, Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City is one of the best schools in the world for fashion design. There is a long list of other colleges for specific interests and skill sets. So, depending on your interests and skills, there is likely to be the right match for you out there somewhere.
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Absolutely; there are many post-secondary options for students who have required support services in high school. The most appropriate path would depend on your particular situation. The options range from support services for students who can handle challenging college coursework as long as they have the correct accommodations, to programs that are specifically for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Landmark was mentioned; Dean College in MA is another that is known for excellent support services with several levels of programming Support & Success for Current & Graduating Students | Dean College
Examples of free-standing programs on traditional college campuses, for students with intellectual/developmental disabilities, include:
http://taishoffcenter.syr.edu/inclusiveu/
https://www.fcs.uga.edu/ihdd/destination-dawgs
There are more such programs but that should give you proof of concept that there are a variety of options. There are also programs for students with ASD, on a number of campuses Colleges with Programs for Students with Special Needs | IvyWise
And there are programs based at community colleges, as well.
What would work best for you depends on your goals, your particular abilities and challenges, where you live, and what would work for your family financially.
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Who is telling you that you can’t go?
I worked at a high school for 10 years and, since it was a large high school, we had a total of 8 special needs classes all with students of varying strengths.
As a speech pathologist I worked with a number of students who were interested in going to college.
I had a student who was 90% deaf and she was admitted to several colleges but narrowed her choices down to UC Davis and SDSU.
Before you leave your high school, you should be having a meeting with a “transitional” team. It’s usually done in March and April but don’t wait for them and, ask your parents for help. This team explains “what comes next” and helps you to “transition” or “move” into adulthood by providing support services when you need them.
At our school, the team included a number of Community Services. The team consisted of teachers, counselors, and the County Department of Rehabilitation.
Sometimes, if you were accepted to a local college, the representative from that college (Student Ability Center) would attend the meeting.
The Department of Rehabilitation, for your county, should be your best resource. If you are special needs and will be turning 18, you should use this service often. It is free. Once you are in their system, you can be there for “life” if you choose to use them.
Typically, your school contacts them BEFORE you leave your high school. They are basically “coaches” that help you to learn how to go to a university, learn time management, get a job, bank, get an apartment, etc. If 20 years down the road, you want to change your career, then you can contact them for help to get retrained (for free) because you were/are their client.
The Student Ability Center at your university will help you with your academics, tutors, notetakers, computer access and anything else related to developing your college experience.
You can have both services together-Department of Rehab and the Student Ability Center.
Go ask your teacher and counselor about those services. They are free and are there if you need them.
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my teachers are the ones saying i can’t go
Your comment brings me to think about some lyrics from one of my favorite bands:
Tear down the stage that I grew up on
I won’t be here in another year, I’ll be traveling on my own.
Yeah, take all of the old gasoline and gold,
And feed it to my dreams, the last things I really own.
If I could go back in time and wipe the slate clean,
I wouldn’t listen to my teachers, they don’t know what’s right for me.
But I’d listen to my friends, the ones who knew me way back when.
They all told me I was different, but that just made me one of them.
— Parsonsfield
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Bill_Marsh that sounds like a song id listen to what’s the name?
Tear Down the Stage
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Mitchell College is another very supportive college.
If you are in high school, what does your transition plan look like?
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Yep, that’s the band and that’s the song. Great band! 
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im not sure yet
i still have till the end of 2024 to do that
@aunt_bea honestly my teachers are getting a bit annoying
Like other people have said, there are lots of options for people with special needs to go to college. I wonder the context of your teachers telling you you can’t go to college.
I have a 14 year old son who has a number of special needs and some learning challenges. I know I have said to him, and it is possible that his teachers have said to him, that if he doesn’t work harder than he currently is working or try to do some things that he currently refuses to try to do, that he won’t be able to go to college.
For instance, my son is in a wheelchair. He refuses to try to navigate his school hallways by himself. Everyone thinks he has the capability to do that with practice, but he is unwilling to try. He says that he wants to go to college, but then he refuses to try to drive from his classroom to the cafeteria without someone clearing a hallway path for him.
My son is also currently not passing the state standardized test that he will have to pass to get a diploma. I think he has the capability of studying hard and getting a passing grade, but he does not want to do any extra studying. Again, he says he wants to go to college, but he is not willing to do the hard work he needs to do to get there.
I am not saying that this is true of you, but is it possible your teachers are telling you that unless you do some hard things you currently don’t want to do, that you won’t be able to go to college?
Another possibility might be that your teachers think that the best choice for you is not college. That is true for many people, not just people who are in special needs classes! Depending on what your skills and interests are, there might be post high school options that are a better fit for you than going to college. If that is what your teachers think, hopefully they can help you think about what you would like your life to look like, and help you develop a good plan for getting there.
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@MAmomto4 well they said that " remember what we talked about, you can’t go to college because of the program your in"
Are you in the extended program, where you stay in high school until you are 22 to receive vocational training, and do not get a traditional diploma?
If you are, and if you do want to go to college, there are still ways to do that. But, it can be more challenging to meet the requirements. You definitely you would need to talk to them about what you would need to do to be able to go to college.
Can you have a conversation with your teachers and your parents about what your goals are for after you finish with your high school program and what the best way for you to achieve those goals is? College might be a good option, and if it is, there are probably ways to make it happen, even if they will take a lot of work. But, college might not be a good option, and if it is not a good option, your school needs to work together with you and your family to help you know what good options there are for you.
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@MAmomto4 i leave school in 2024, i be 18 soon
If you have an IEP, it is required that you have a transition plan beginning when you are 14 years old. Since you are older than that…you should know what your transition plan contains. It is also highly recommended that all high school students be involved in their IEP meetings. Were you?
And I agree….there are lots of career options that don’t actually require a college degree. You need to choose what will work best for you.
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Based on other posts, I’m guessing the “special needs” program is your HS’s vocational/trade type track, rather than a 4-year college track? Is that right?
My HS had groups of students in this type of track as well. Being in this track does not exclude you from attending a 4-year college, but you should review the requirements for the colleges that interest you and make sure that you have taken the appropriate courses. For some 4-year colleges, you may not have taken the required/recommended classes, such as x years of math/science/language/… Note that is also possible to start at 2-year college and transfer to 4-year.
Elsewhere you mentioned wanting to be a police officer. If this is your goal, I’d suggest reviewing the requirements and typical path in the location where you’d like to work. Requirements vary. In some areas only HS is required. In some locations 2-year degree is required. In some locations 4-year college degree is strongly preferred.
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