It is okay to do a neuropsych. evaluation in late high school or between high school and college and request accommodations, even without previous accommodations in high school. Just don’t want anyone to despair with a newly diagnosed senior who did not receive services in school up to this point. The recent neuropsych. evaluation will be honored by the college.
It can sometimes help for the parent to research accommodations and write a letter for a professional to sign, listing those accommodations. Professionals do not seem to mind this and even appreciate it, and that is a way to make sure your child has access to all the accommodations needed.
Anyone who recommends hiding a disability during application is misguided. Colleges do not discriminate: it is illegal to do so. That said, it should be the student’s choice. There is no reason to reveal it either. For instance, many students will prefer to write an essay about something else. Overcoming the obstacle of a certain disability can be covered in a supplemental essay instead, if the student feels it is an important part of his or her story. The guidance counselor can also mention it, with the student’s permission, or other recommenders. But there is no need or obligation to disclose, not is there a reason to be afraid of disclosing.
I personally do not think it is helpful to evaluate a college’s accommodations beforehand. It can be very difficult to tell. Every college has a different system and some Office for Disabiliies may give a rosy picture when implementation is poor. Expect a rocky start anywhere. Often the system is that students receive letters from the disabilities office to give to professors, that state the student is registered but do not specify the disability. This leaves communication up to the student.
Issues of physical accommodations or access are different. For instance, access for a wheelchair. or the fire alarm alternatives mentioned above. Disabilities offices tend to be pretty good with these.
For health-related disabilities, the health center and a dean or other administrator will be important. Sometimes other staff are involved, for instance, kitchen.
If a college is NOT good at accommodating, but a student wants to go there, I believe the student should apply and attend. If it weren’t for trailblazers, none of the progress in this area would have happened. I do not think anyone will have to hire a lawyer, or anything like that. Sometimes it is just an area the school hasn’t had consciousness of.
Finally, the standard for accommodation IS different from high school. Colleges do not have to accommodate if the accommodations poses an administrative or financial burden, or if it substantially changes the academic program. This murky area is being worked out in the courts by some courageous individuals who have helped us all.
ps often private colleges and universities are more flexible on admission requirements (one of mine didn’t even attend senior year!)