Panicky Mom Needs Help for Wonderful, but Struggling Son

Parents Forum
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<p>Hi. I'm new to the group. I hope you can help my DS, who is a high school junior, and me.</p>

<p>DS is adopted. Birthmom's behavior during pregnancy left him with some physical and learning difficulties. The former he's overcome, the latter he'll have for life. Multiple testing events seem to waffle on the nature and extent of the problems, but they're there and difficult for him to work around. He has non-specific LD affecting processing speed; tasks seem to take forever. Also, he has ADD. He is of moderate IQ, with fluency (speed) dragging down his scores. His achievement is pretty solid...higher, sometimes much higher that you would expect for some one with his IQ. His doctor believes his ADD makes it difficult to measure his IQ accurately. </p>

<p>We were told to apply for maximum extended time accommodations on the SAT. College Board, however, turned him down flat...only giving him extra breaks and extended breaks, and a small room setting. Their reasoning in a nutshell...since his achievement scores in standardized testing roughly parallet his IQ, no functional impairment exists. I disagree, because his achievement over the years has far outstripped his cognitive abilities and we had planned for him to take a reduced courseload in college to compensate for his slowness. In a practice test given by a specialist, with only 25-50% accommodations, he scored an 1150; however, in the formal setting, he dropped to a 1050. His school achievement has always been good, though he is pretty discouraged all the time. In a formal school setting, he nearly always made A/B Honor Roll. Now homeschooled, he maintains about a 3.6, taking regular classes in all but math, where he excels. We school year-round to accommodate his processing speed and spread things out a bit.</p>

<p>DS was a competitive swimmer, at the junior national level during his sophomore year, and anticipating being recruited, but he has now dropped ouit at least for the time being. It was becoming too difficult to juggle 24+ hours of workout per week and a normal class load. Also, our family has faced some difficulties that were taking away his emotional space.</p>

<p>So...(sorry for the lengthy explanation)...here we are facing the problem of finding a college for DS. He wants nurturing school that will see the spirit within that will respect him for who he is, recognize how hard he's tried over the years, and grow him...he loves criminology (he has a great heart and desire to help humanity). We've looked (on paper) at Guilford, St. Andrew's Presbyterian, Marymount Univ (VA), Emory & Henry, St. Leo Univ. (FL), Lynn Univ (FL), Western KY Univ, Roanoke College (VA). </p>

<p>Do any of you know anything about these schools or any others that might be a good fit for my son. I'm so afraid for him...because if the fit is bad, he may fall off the chart entirely. He is so worthwhile, but the system really isn't set up for kids like him...and the system has let him down so many times before. Help, please. Thanks!</p>

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<p>I'm a complete newbie to all of this OrangeBlossom, but are any of those schools you've listed specifically geared towards helping kids with learning disabilities? What about Johnson State in Vermont? I believe that's the college I'm thinking of that my nephew attended for two years before he transferred into Emerson. My nephew's issue is dyslexia, so this may not be a good comparison at all.</p>

<p>I'm sure others on here who are much more knowledgeable than I will have some help to offer as the day goes on. Hang in there!</p>

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<p>I'm not familiar with criminology as a major - is that a requirement of the school? If not, I would suggest adding Muskingum College in Ohio to the list.</p>

<p>Have you been able to visit colleges and uni's yet? I think you will start feeling a bit more settled once you all start touring campuses.</p>

<p>On SAT testing - even without accomadation, your son is pulling decent scores, and has a lot going for him. The question, as you mentioned, is more fit than admission - and that's not always the case. Sorry I can't provide more help - but chin up and I'm sure someone will.</p>

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<p>Have you thought about untimed/or extended time ACT.</p>

<p>I know someone who is LD who is going to Lynn. It is a good fit for her.</p>

<p>Good luck</p>

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<p>I have a freind who's son has learning disabilities who just graduated from Mount St. Joseph College in Cincinnatti, Ohio. It is a small, Catholic school with a strong background in helping learning disabled students. Her son attended a boarding school in New york for high school to deal with the learning disabilities and they recommended this school and it was a great fit.</p>

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<p>universities and is a fine school. Pretty campus built on hills (hence "Hilltoppers" nickname).</p>

<p>Some suggestions for wherever you go:</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Consult with the Learning Disabilities services coordinator at any university you are considering regarding services. At Western, this would be Matt Davis, (270) 745-5004, according to my records.</p></li>
<li><p>Be sure you have all diagnostic records including those that go back many years. Sometimes, in view of a closing gap between assessed intelligence and observed performance, schools may assume that the student has "outgrown" the LD. Probably not the case. (this from our LD coordinator, just called her re: your post).</p></li>
<li><p>Re: the SAT situation - has your son been evaluated recently by an LD specialist? Your doctor is right, ADD can sometimes confound the use of some traditional assessments. You may end up measuring the ADD rather than underlying intelligence.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>This is about as far as I can go under the circumstances. </p>

<p>At our school, the LD services office answers through me. I believe my profile has a private email addy if you'd like to follow up.</p>

<p>Good luck</p>

<p>Bill</p>

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<p>I hope he is keeping up with his swimming even though he is not competing. I feel swimming is great therapy and may help his neurosystem.
Does he have a 504 plan? He will need it in college to get accomodations
<a href="http://www.ldonline.org%5B/url%5D"&gt;www.ldonline.org&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

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<p>You might want to check out Lynn University in Florida. It has a lot of experience in helping out students with learning disabilities. My best friend's daughter -- who has disabilities that I believe may be even greater than your son's -- graduated from Lynn last spring and found a job she loves as a teacher's aide. Lynn provided special programs and services to her (and others like her) to help these students succeed.</p>

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<p>You might want to investigate the D 3 swimming rankings of schools (probably available on the ncaa website) and see which colleges have regionally ranked teams. These are generally schools that "care" about the sport. Then see which of these schools may also have academic programs that suit your son.</p>

<p>I have heard that Arizona (not sure if St or U?) has very good ADD/LD program. </p>

<p>I commend you on your committed approach to helping your son be all that he can be. Sounds like he is a very hard worker who will succeed beautifully in life.</p>

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<p>
[quote]
I'm not familiar with criminology as a major - is that a requirement of the school?

[/quote]
</p>

<p>It is a major. I was majoring in it at NCSU until I switched to anthropology. I have been told that it is mainly for people interested in academia--it is not the same thing as criminal justice.</p>

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<p>OrangeBlossom, I don't have it right in front of me, but I believe Loren Pope's book "Getting Beyond the Ivy League" has a discussion about this, and some of the schools he recommends. I'll dig it out at home. I think St. Andrew's has an outstanding track record with accomodating students with physical disabilities, but I can't recall whether that extended into LD. </p>

<p>Also, not to be too personal (and just ignore me if I am), was this an int'l adoption, and is it an FAE or related issue? Just wondering. We adopted our 6 y.o. from Europe and birthmother had a bad history. So we're collecting information to tuck away in the event issues start manifesting themselves.</p>

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<p>You might look into Hope College in Holland, MI. My friend's son, who was not the best student, but who also had a big heart and good values, went there and loved the school. He became a high school teacher and coach and is having a fine career.</p>

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<p>Yes, birthmom consumed some alcohol during pregnancy, and is suspected of using casual drugs, though she was quite a health nut and from an upper middle class home. Some level of drug use was suspected because he had a congenital heart defect, requiring open heart surgery at age 2, that is commonly found in children of users. Also, DS was born with chlamydial pneumonia that went undiagnosed and treated for about 2 months.</p>

<p>FYI, a former high school friend of mine adopted a D from Romania. Child is thought to have FAS and is autistic. A good idea to gather data and have her tested as soon as it seems reasonable. Catching it early and obtaining support are critical. Several years in the system with little if any support and much misdirected criticism of a child can be devastating to their future course. You sound like a great mom! I know your DD is in great hands!! Much luck to you!</p>

<p>Also, I have both Loren Pope books, they're excellent. Concern is that many of the wonderful schools he supports have SAT requirements (and some writing requirements) that are beyond where DS is at the moment.</p>

<p>Thank you for your wonderful ideas.</p>

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<p>Thank you so much for your thoughts. I will look into Hope College. It's nice to have people with first-hand experience recommend places to look. The comfort factor really helps. Thanks, again.</p>

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<p>Hi. Thanks for your post. My DS loves criminology, criminal justice, and forensic science (although I don't believe he wants to become a Henry Lee or lab tech type). He (and his ADD) like being on the go. Thank you for distinguishing between the two disciplines. You have taught me something valuable today!</p>

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<p>My DS is still quite up-in-the-air about swimming. I think some DI/II/III schools would be a great experience for him, if swimming competiveness takes a decided back seat to team spirit and academics. Swimming was a wonderful sport for him for a number of reasons, plus it was a selling point for colleges in his search. If he had continued, he would have certainly been recruited by DI. With his athletic future in limbo right now, I'm focusing on academic, etc. fit more than athletics. We'll still file NCAA eligibility to hedge his bets, then see where it goes. Thanks for your post!</p>

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<p>Hi. Thanks for your post about Lynn. We had discovered it only a couple of weeks ago. If it would be possible, could you share additional info about the school? It's in south FL, an area where my DS is particularly interested in pursuing a career in criminal justice. I'd be interested to know about the quality of education offered there, the approachability of instructors, and the quality of the support services. Also, I wonder if the support services were very difficult to obtain. Thanks, again.</p>

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<p>Since putting swimming on hold, DS has simply continued his dryland workout routines, and is in excellent condition. He may return to the water casually soon, but it's his call.</p>

<p>Early public/private schools systems my son was a part of, were in a relatively rural or far out suburban area that seemed to focus most of the available funds on the gifted programs. Some said that since the 504 was a "gentleman's agreement", no written doc was needed (hah!). After that, DS has been homeschooled as part of a private religious school, so no 504 is possible. But, I do have tons of doc and am seeking more and am strongly considering an educational consultant to help me wade through this mess. The problem is that all of this requires money (doesn't everything) and so abortive efforts are time consuming and wasteful...so I want to do it right.</p>

<p>Thanks very much for your help!</p>

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<p>I keep thinking about finding good LAC's who are generally overlooked and/or who are trying to beef up their male enrollment - In Maryland, McDaniel's College and especially Hood College in Frederick, Md. are both great schools with small classes and supportive faculty. Yoyu may also look at Susquehana College in Pa. (Pa. has alot of small, very nice LAC schools...) - Mary Washington In Va., Wesley College in Del. ? I think - I only know mid-Atlantic schools mostly but I'm sure there are many across the US like these...</p>

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<p>Thanks for your post. I'll look into Johnson State and Emerson. Since we've not gotten a hold on our most important requirements in a school, tho we're working at it feverishly, we do plan to start visits soon. We'll keep your advice in mind. Thanks, again.</p>