Once a student is admitted to a college or university, there are definite advantages to disclosing a learning disability.
- Disclosure provides your student with legal protection under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Without discloser, he is unprotected, despite that fact that he has a diagnosed disability.
- Students who are coming from a supportive high school environment with lower expectations and a lighter workload will likely have some difficulty navigating the college system without some guidance. Students who remain “independent” in the first semester frequently struggle and end up with less than satisfactory grades. Disclosure makes your student eligible for accommodations such as extra time, a note-taker, and a distraction-free testing environment. The identification and use of these accommodations will increase the likelihood of his academic success.
- Disclosure may give your student the opportunity to enroll in fewer classes while still being considered a full-time student for insurance purposes. If you suspect your student may not be able to handle a full course load, and the psycho-educational testing supports this, your student may be able to add “Reduced Course Load” to his list of accommodations.
Deciding whether or not to disclosing a learning disability is just the beginning of a series of challenges your student will face as he matures. Remember to weigh the options and their consequences carefully, and remember, meeting this challenge is part of becoming a successful and independent adult.
Heather Creech
Educational Consultant for Students with Learning Challenges
