LACs with good support services for ADD, ADHD

<p>I'm interested in learning from other parents their experience with liberal arts colleges with strong support services for students with ADD or ADHD. My son, a HS junior, has ADHD. He is gifted in math (took BC calc in 10th grade) and a strong overall student, but not quite strong enough for AWS. I'm interested in hearing the experiences of others, both positive and negative, about support for students with ADD or ADHD at liberal arts colleges.</p>

<p>I was wondering the same thing. What have been parents experiences with support services at major colleges and universities? I have a gifted ADD son who has been accepted to top 20 uni, but I wonder how much support he might get.</p>

<p>We had impression that Evergreen which was my daughters 2nd choice had good support for students with challenges ( disabilities- 1st generation- low income- minority)
She chose a school that has pretty good support overall for learning challenges although some definite holes in coverage
It is a very rigourous school, but had an ADD coach- an ADD support group ( which D helped run for a few years), a fairly good health clinic, and lots of other students that could probably be described as "on the spectrum".</p>

<p>She hadn't been in public school, and didn't have a 504 as her high school, gave her needed accomodations without one- but I would recommend getting an updated evaluation and a 504 that will look at concerns after high school</p>

<p>This site offers some excellent information about college programs and services for students with all types of learning disabilities - there's even information about summer programs for kids with learning disabilities. </p>

<p><a href="http://www.heath.gwu.edu/%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.heath.gwu.edu/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>Additionally, there are several good guidebooks out there about LD programs at various colleges. One I particularly like and find useful is Colleges for Students with LEarning Disabilities, by Thomson/Peterson's. I like it because it explains in great detail how to evaluate different programs, and divides the college listings between schools with very centralized and structured programs and schools where there may good services available, but students have to be self-directed about seeking them out. I think that's a very important distinction to keep in mind, especially as what constitutes a <em>good</em> program for one LD student may be too much or not enough for another, depending on many factors.</p>

<p>I've read the Colleges for Students with Learning Disabilities, and it is a good starting point. One thing I'm trying to figure out is how to evaluate how much support the colleges really have, as opposed to how much they say they have. If you read their material on-line almost all colleges talk about their great support services.</p>

<p>We'll be visiting colleges over the next 6 months I guess, so I'll have to figure out who to talk to at each campus, what questions to ask, etc.</p>

<p>I am also interested in this topic. I have a 10th grade daughter with ADHD (also OCD) and she is interested in attending an LAC. It sounds like what dadx3 is looking for is actual experiences from parents with the level of support, and not just what a guidebook says the school provides.</p>

<p>Exactly right, dg5052. Thanks to Emeraldkity for her comments, but I'd also appreciate the benefit of others' experiences.</p>

<p>Check out Fairleigh Dickenson in NJ. Although it isn't a LAC per se, you can get lots of liberal arts courses and majors. It has a fabulous support program for LD kids and was highly recommended by our counselor for ADD kids. Incidentally, my son, who is ADD, is a senior there. Due to their tremendous support program, he will not only graduate but may graduate with honors!</p>

<p>Taxguy, that's great. It's good to hear success stories, especially about our kids with ADD.</p>

<p>I am in the process of putting together an info meeting for parents at my S's HS on college support services and transition. Does anyone have any resources (got the book mentioned by Carolyn)?</p>

<p>I am very interested in how colleges implement accomodations such as the use of computers for essay exams & the use of extra time for exams.</p>

<p>Real life experience of parents and students would be welcome.</p>

<p>my daughters school had exams you could take out ofclassroom, in your dorm, in the meadow, if it is written well it doesn't need to always be proctored
Her school is not normally thought of as a good school for students with differences, but ancedotally there seems to be a lot of students that do. ADD- OCD- ADHD- Aspergers-I don't know how well dyslexics will do as there is a huge emphasis on writing- but Reed may be worth looking at for kids who like "quirky"</p>