Can anyone with experience with accommodations or other support for a student with ADHD please provide insight on what has worked well and what has not? Any advice?
Considering RIT, WPI, Drexel and NU for computer science/game design.
While my daughter does not have ADHD, I am a member of a Facebook RIT parents’ group - quite a few of them have mentioned the EMPOWER program at RIT. RIT has a lot of support services in place.
i am also interested in this. my child has EF issues. Currently has a 504 in place in HS.
I have one child with ADHD and another with HFA and EF issues. The ADHD child is not receiving accommodations, (other than meds) the other son does have a 504 in place but it is really not used and is minimal. We are using outside therapy as a far more effective treatment in his case.
My understanding, for accommodations in college is that it will vary quite a bit. Both in terms of what they will offer and what may help, as well as whether the student themselves is willing to use the accommodations. To obtain them, you will need a medical diagnosis, and preferably a full report that is within the last 3 years. If it is more than 3 years old I am told you’ll need a newer one.
Some of the typical HS accommodations will not be offered (the ability to turn in work late, or maybe not even do all of the homework) but others will be more robust (note takers or a single room for example). But it depends on the diagnosis and the college and the only way to know is to meet with them individually. You can do some homework online for the various schools to gauge the perceived level of support but the reality is that “all” will say they have it.
In the case of both Drexel and RIT, they have paid support programs that you can choose. I do know someone in the RIT program who has been quite pleased with it but they aren’t free and your student has to want it. For me, for the HFA EF kid, I wanted to know he would have the option of such a program if he wanted/needed it and so Drexel and RIT were on our list. Knowing such programs existed also implied to me that the “regular” services are perhaps relatively robust but that’s just conjecture.
We felt NU was too competitive and not as supportive (again, just a personal impression) and it was out of our price range anyway. I can’t speak to WPI at all as I’ve not done the homework there.
I will be requiring/encouraging my student to file with disability services wherever he ends up, so he has the option to use them, even if he never does.
I also would like to know. I’m applying to those schools as well except for WPI and for computer engineering.
@graydayokay RIT has several levels of support.
- Spectrum Support Program. This is a paid program that covers academic, social, self care and overall integration/transition. You can have once or twice a week meetings as well as all of the social events and I think may include a pre-orientation transition session, though that might be extra.
- Empower. Also a paid program but focuses exclusively on academics and keeping students on track. 1x or 2x a week programs. Empower focuses on Building Foundations, Encouraging Reflection Creating Awareness, Promoting Advocacy and Developing Independence.
- Academic Support Center Classes. These are free and available to all include things like applied study strategies, insights on success and study techniques.
- Academic Coaching. Free, by appointment. 1;1. Unclear how difficult it is to get these appointments versus a more set option like the above. Covers organization, time management, motivation, procrastination, and concentration.
And then of course there is tutoring (drop in by subject as well as for hire)as well as some special free supports set up specifically for math, physics and reading as well as supplement instruction classes for courses known to be difficult.
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