Are there certain schools that cater to students with learning differences more than others?

Are there certain schools that cater to students with learning differences more than others?

Absolutely. The amount of support and services colleges offer for students with learning differences can range from very minimal accommodations to full spectrum, highly individualized support.

There are several private schools that are designed specifically for students with LD. These may offer four-year degrees, two-year transitional support in transferring to a 4-year college, or a post-graduate year between high school and college to enable students to become better prepared for the challenges of higher education.

Are there certain schools that cater to students with learning differences more than others?

Yes. The K&W Guide can provide you with a wealth of information on the best schools and the particular services available for students with disabilities. In fact, some schools have developed separate departments to provide services for students. Landmark College in Vermont is specifically designed for students with LD.

Are there certain schools that cater to students with learning differences more than others?

Yes. Different colleges have different levels of support available to students with learning differences: minimal, moderate, comprehensive, and developmental services.

Schools with minimal services are the most common. Typically, they provide basic accommodations, don’t have a professional learning specialist, lack a distraction-reduced test environment and may have peer tutors. A student with a learning difference generally needs to advocate for himself at a college with minimal services. Schools with moderate services typically have many accommodations, a learning center staffed by a degreed professional, staff who will help advocate for the student, a distraction-reduced test environment, peer or professional tutors, support groups and/or workshops, specialized summer orientation programs (which may have a fee), and student-initiated organizational and study skills assistance. Comprehensive programs generally charge a fee. These programs typically have a full-time director and additional staff. The staff may be involved in admissions and may communicate with teachers to advocate for the student. They typically have a Support Center with a distraction-reduced test environment and trained proctors. They also typically have support workshops; groups for support, self-advocacy and social skills; specialized summer orientation programs; and organizational and study skills tutoring, typically meeting 3 to 5 hours per week in small groups or individually. Developmental programs also are fee-based. Typically they are a two-year core curriculum within a four-year college. These programs typically have specially chosen teachers and specific courses offered. They provide a structured, supportive environment and typically meet more times per week to build skills work into the class schedule. Often they will accept students with a lower GPA or SAT/ACT scores than the rest of the college.

Are there certain schools that cater to students with learning differences more than others?

Yes, and here are a few:

Landmark College, Putney, VT U AZ Beacon College, FL Curry College, Milton, MA Northeastern University U CO, Colorado Springs

Are there certain schools that cater to students with learning differences more than others?

Absolutely. There are independent educational consultants who specialize in these kinds of placements. There are resource books available that focus on schools with programs tailored for students with learning differences. Some schools will offer more comprehensive services than others, so it is up to you to determine what level of support you are interested in having available.

Are there certain schools that cater to students with learning differences more than others?

Yes, while learning differences and disability support is mandated by law there are some schools that are making a point of being particularly open to and supportive of students with learning differences—they are seeking to make it their niche–and obviously those schools are ones that student with differences might find particularly attractive all other things being equal. Ultimately, an applicant for whom this is a concern must do their research and ask the right questions at whatever schools they are considering.