I have a dual diagnosis of High Functioning Autism and Mixed Bipolar I, and I was wondering how that would affect the admissions process for me.
I would think that admission to a school would be less of an issue than graduating from the school. If you are stably doing well, then I would not make an issue of these diagnoses as they are not in themselves disabilities. If you are truly disabled from those conditions at a young age, I would try to reach a point of stable, non-disability before applying to school and especially before accepting any financial aid (debt).
@WISdad23 Under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Autism is listed as one of the 13 criteria and bipolar may be protected under Emotional Disturbances criteria as listed. This is for primary and secondary educational purposes. Post-secondary support may depend on whether the school gets federal funding, but you are still legally protected from discrimination.
OP, In theory it shouldn’t affect it because you are protected from discrimination, but reality is another issue.
There are colleges that focus solely on special needs, colleges that have special programs, colleges with varying levels of support, etc. If it is not in the first category, then you need to meet traditional admissions criteria first and foremost then apply to programs and for support services. You want the focus on your applications to be on your abilities regardless of disabilities. All colleges want to make sure it is a good fit. Do you have a list of schools you are looking at?
Not to nitpick but high functioning autism is not a real diagnosis, more of a description, with the “high functioning” implying no or less disability. Bipolar I Mixed is either in remission or not. If not in remission stably then I think the best advice is to work on treatment before enrolling in college. If in remission, then… carry on.
The fact that the ADA/IDEA protects people with various conditions from being discriminated against for having a condition does not imply that the condition is disabling. For example many people with mental health conditions matriculate to and graduate from college independent of the college’s awareness or ADA or IDEA concerns. I am not sure, but I think IDEA applies through high school.
What? ADA and IDEA are all about disabilities, hence the “D”. Nit pick away. Both mentioned in criteria. The level determined by medical professionals. Through secondary means high school. Pointing out both can be covered as disabilities regardless of any of our anonymous opinions.
Bottom line is OP needs to understand the law, what it protects and provides, and the difference in post-secondary application (big difference). Also OP needs to know the law and reality don’t always match. Discrimination is protected but exists. And, depending on the level of disability, as determined by OP’s doctors and the law, OP (presumably under the treatment of medical professionals) should determine which type of college would be best fit. Specialized college, specialized program within, college with support services, etc. And yes, many colleges serve students with the OPs specific diagnoses. Unfortunately, I have experience in this topic.
OP You might also want to check out the Learning Differences and Challenges forum on CC. Lots of experienced posters who may have good advice for you.
Do you currently have accommodations? The accommodations and plans in place now are supposed to get you to a successful level. If you are there, have good gpa and test scores, colleges will see that you are successful with the accommodations. Most schools will continue those accommodations if appropriate. For example, a friend’s daughter had accommodations to use a laptop for notes and also had an accommodation for a small lunch room. A college will most likely allow the laptop, but you’d have to figure out a way to deal with the meals (get a take out meal, get a meal plan that includes smaller dining room options).