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Academic Accommodations for Students with Learning Differences and Learning Disabilities in College
Anyone who has spent time in a classroom can attest that the one thing everyone has in common is that they learn differently. Whether a student is diagnosed with a disability or not, learning is a process unique to each individual. Many students have learned how to accommodate their diverse needs, but some students need more formal academic accommodations for learning disabilities. Characteristics such as difficulty with working memory, challenges with processing speed, ADHD or other executive functioning challenges, dyslexia, or ASD (autism spectrum disorder) can all necessitate formal academic accommodations in college.
The traditional college classroom quite different than a high school classroom. The responsibility of learning falls much more heavily on students, and thus, professors are less likely to provide a multi-modal approach to their teaching. As a result, learning differences can make it more difficult for students to get the information they need or demonstrate their knowledge effectively.
For instance, a professor who provides most of the content information in class through required readings and then gives exams that rely heavily on writing can inadvertently create an outsized challenge for students with language-based learning differences, even if they are capable of comprehending the material.
Knowing about your own learning style, and then advocating for and utilizing the accommodations which allow you equal access to success, can be critical for students with learning differences.
Fortunately, to be in compliance with Section 504 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), colleges must provide reasonable accommodations for students with learning disabilities. These accommodations are not meant to make college easier, they are meant to level the playing field so that a student’s learning difference does not impact their ability to learn and be successful. Common college accommodations are:
Accommodations for students with learning disabilities can be found through most college’s disability service offices for students with documented disabilities.
At Mansfield Hall, we work with students and families to recommend accommodations based on each student’s individual learning profile to increase their chances for success – although the final arbiter of this decision is always the college.
We work with students to not only help them understand the academic accommodations they need, but the characteristics that these accommodations are addressing. We often accompany students to meet with their disability service counselor and help students advocate for the appropriate accommodations. We work with schools and colleges to be sure these academic accommodations are being accessed and are successfully addressing a student’s needs.
Please contact Mansfield Hall to learn more about how we support students with learning disabilities and learning differences access and utilize academic accommodations in college.
Obsessed with a crafty queen! Aven and life skills coach Juneau working on her Halloween costume 🎃👻.
PS. Burlington students, be sure to check out sewing club!
Sometimes a 5K is called a fun run- can confirm that much fun was had by all! 🏃
We`re doing our best to soak up these last fall days- it was well worth the effort this hike took!
There’s some fascinating research coming out surrounding the possible links between neurodivergence, hyper mobility, and regulation right now.
The overall conversation is surrounding the idea that neurodivergent folks are 4 times more likely to have generalized hypermoblity- a connective tissue disorder where the ligaments in the body are looser and thusly have to effort extra hard to hold everything in the body together. This additional effort the body has to exert daily to keep everything in order may be linked to a host of things, all pointing to the idea that these folks systems are working overtime to keep regulated.
Exercise, especially strength training can help ease this strain on the body by strengthening the muscles around the ligaments, which can help ease the job of those ligaments with consistent training over time.
Mansfield Hall offers students the opportunity to join in for two structured workouts a week focused on upper and lower body as well as core stability for this reason!
References
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You could say this event was a smashing success!
Eugene students enjoyed pumpkin launching over the weekend. 🎃
#autism #neurodivergent #collegesupport
