What Accommedations Are Good for the Emotionally Disturbed?

<p>I'm 17 years old and a junior in high school, what accomedationations or help would be good for me at college, I am a schizoaffective disordered adolesent, who doesn't show ADHD or LD but yet still has issues partaining to attention, learning style, behavioral issues, because although I am the spectrum of schizophrenic disorders, I'm part bipolar. I figure counseling services are needed and help with adjustment to college, but what colleges are good for Emotional Disturbance and what academics can be modified, and to what extent is counseling offered?</p>

<p>What are you interested in studying? What kind of location? What do you like to do?</p>

<p>I would like to be in psychology I live in Texas but I want New York</p>

<p>I wouldn't mind being a psychiatrist</p>

<p>Adjusting to college is hard enough as it is. With any mental illness you will need structure and support.
I might look into trying to find a program that provides living support yet allows you to go to school. Probably at a Community College. Most of the programs I have seen are marketed as extended care rehab facilities but some of the participants are people with eating disorders and mood disorders.
I don't know anything about these places other then someone suggested them to me. Sober College and Optimum Performance Institute in Ca. And there was another place in Penn but I can't recall the name.</p>

<p>OP mentioned nothing about problems with substance abuse. What most folks who have schizoaffective disorder need is access to MD for medication evaluations, community support AND friends. Personally I'd think many colleges with medical schools on the same or nearby campus would be able to serve you very well. Philadelphia might be a good start as there are two colleges close to each other and Penn Medical/Hospital very close to both. The colleges I mention would be Univ of Pennsylvania and Drexel.</p>

<p>You can get accomodations like extended time on tests, tape recorded lectures, and extensions for assignments. I have a similar situation -- I have bipolar II and anxiety, and though I don't have actual ADD, I have its symptoms due to medications and the nature of the conditions themselves. Those are the accomodations I get. </p>

<p>The main thing you need is access to psychiatric and theraputic care. I would also reccomending a school with an intimate atmosphere so you can develop a strong support system with advisors, deans, and teachers. An LAC or small university would probably be best. What you don't want is an impersonal atmosphere because you are going to need help and support. Adjusting to college life and succeeding in classes is hard enough to begin with, so adding on the difficulties of mental illnesses makes it all the more difficult. </p>

<p>I really disagree with Mom60. You would be selling yourself short by limiting yourself to a community college or group home situation. Adjusting to college with these problems is a big challenge, but it can be done. Just know you will have to go the extra mile, and that some days will be good and some days will be bad. But it really can be done, so don't squash your dreams because of your conditions. </p>

<p>One thing that might be helpful would be staying close to home. This of course depends on your family situation, whether they are helpful and supportive or not. So check out Rice. </p>

<p>I didn't stay close to home, and I'm glad I didn't simply because I really like my school and probably wouldn't be happy at any of the schools in my backyard. But being so far away from such a steady support net like you parents is very difficult. </p>

<p>I probably wouldn't reccomend NYC. From what I know, the schools there, like Columbia and NYU are not very personal, and I think you're probably going to need that. Barnard may be an exception. </p>

<p>Medical schools on campus means little. Most places don't have treatment centers. And even if they do, it's likely there will be places near by that also have treatment centers. So don't make that a deciding factor! </p>

<p>PM me if you want to talk more.</p>

<p>Having grown up with a schizophrenic parent and having relatives with Bipolar disorder I feel I do have a perspective.
Hazmat- I realize that the OP does not have substance abuse. I do happen to know several young people who are living in group homes like this who have no substance abuse. They have various mental health issues or eating issues where they need a little added support.
Each person is different and has varying degrees of illness. Claysoul I am really glad for you that you have your illness under control enough to live away from home and handle college.
The first order is to check with your Dr. Finding good mental health care at college is not easy especially if you don't have a access to a car. The suggestion of a college close to home is good. If you end up needing help or hospitalization your family is nearby. Also many small towns have a shortage of psychiatrists. One school my son looked into which is a well regarded liberal arts college was in a town with just 2 Psych Dr's. The LD director told him he would probably not be able to get an app with either of them for his meds. that most students ended up seeing nurse practioners.
As far as accommodations- my son is LD and ADD and has just started college. At each college he was interested in he made an appointment with the student with disabilities director. I think in several cases this actually helped him with admissions. Each school was different in the level of services they provided and some more helpful then others. At any school in order to be given accommodations you must provide them with documentation. A phone call to them will give you an idea as to what they want for your disorder.
My son and his Dr prepared a detailed list of accommodations and presented them to the school. His school has been really helpful.
Why don't you talk to your Dr about what accommodations and counseling you will need and make a few informational phone calls to schools that interest you and see what services they provide.
Another consideration and accommodations you might want is a single room or in the case of one student I know permission to not live in a dorm.</p>