“Higher education, in general, is considered a privilege.” – Carrie Kuthy (enrollment services counselor Northern Essex Community College)
What are the most common learning disabilities on college campuses? Dyslexia & Dysgraphia Attention Deficit & Hyperactive Disorder Bipolar Disorder Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Depression & Anxiety Disorders
Dyslexia & Dysgraphia Taking notes in class Have difficulty processing auditory instruction Impaired writing & oral expression Impaired reading comprehension ADHD Concentration skills Memory recall Time management Difficulty following directions
Bipolar & PTSD Inconsistency of performance in class & assignments Fatigue Inconsistency of information retention Difficulty interacting with classmates
What are the most common learning disabilities on college campuses? Visually Impaired Hearing Impaired Cerebral Palsy Multiple Sclerosis
Visually Impaired Teaching strategies used Difficult to interact with other students Cannot participate in class discussion without assistance Decreased accessibility to class handouts Hearing Impaired Difficult to create written language Difficulty with vocabulary expansion Difficulty with reading comprehension
Mobility Disabilities (cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, etc.) Limited mobility in the classroom Difficulty concentrating Diminished stamina on extended class projects
Local support Family, Psychiatrists, Power of Attorney paperwork ie – Roger Diel (University of Wisconsin- Madison) Smaller classroom setting or community college Ground floor dorm rooms Handicapped parking Wheelchair access
STUDENTPROFESSOR Sit in the most non distractive part of the classroom (normally the front) Avoid drinking or chewing gum in class Bring a laptop to take notes Record the lecture Complete lab projects on portable stations Exercise plan Nutritious meal plan No classes before 11am Allow extended test time Give different modes of assessment Provide alternate forms of assignments (print, online, audiotape) Review assignment in class Teach mnemonic devices Repeat out loud what is on the chalkboard Point out who is speaking in the classroom Sit down to talk to a student in a wheelchair
Laptops Books on Tape Tape Recorders Digitized Handouts Word prediction software to help with poor keyboarding skills Citation software Earphones during testing sessions Type & Speak or Braille & Speak computer Note taker
Northern Essex Community College (Massachusetts) Note takers Classroom Aides Computer Software Tutoring Keble College (Oxford) Scribes In house Caretakers Special Diets Disabled Student Allowances Vibrating or visual fire alarms
(1) Seek out help when you need it (2) Map out how you will use your time (3) Plan ahead (4) Learn how you learn (5) Be an active learner (6) Create an effective study routine (7) Organize your study space (8) Start early (9) Identify repeated problems (10) Inquire about resources
Faculty & Administrator Modules in Higher Education (FAME – National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI – Active Minds (