Colleges for Students With ADHD

Some colleges specifically cater to those with ADHD considerations.

Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, can create a significant obstacle when it comes to pursuing higher education. The rigorous schedule and increased demands can be difficult to balance along with the special needs of those with an ADHD learning disability. Some colleges for students with ADHD offer a specific program geared toward assisting those with specialized learning needs. Other students may need the focused support of a specialized learning-disabled college.

Availability of Support

Learning disability support can vary greatly depending on the school.

Typically, all colleges and universities that receive any kind of federal funding are required by law to provide resources and accommodations designed to assist a student coping with ADHD. The level of support can vary greatly depending on the school's program, however. Some schools simply comply with the minimum requirements established by law, while others have a well-developed support program designed to meet the needs of the student. When considering application to a college, a student with ADHD should contact the Student Disability Support office at the prospective school and ask about the support they provide to learning disabled students.

Questions to Ask

Asking the right questions will help determine a school's level of ADHD support.

When a student speaks with a college representative, there are certain questions which are important to ask in order to determine the level of ADHD support available at the prospective college, such as how many ADHD students are registered at the school and whether or not there is an ADHD support group available. Students should ask about the admissions process and if the school's learning disability (LD) program employs any specialists licensed in ADHD and LD issues. A student should attempt to find out whether there is a specific program to educate faculty members on the needs of ADD (attention deficit disorder) and ADHD students, or if there is a special study skills program in place for ADHD students.

Specific ADHD Colleges

If highly specialized support is required, consider a school specifically catered to ADHD students.

Some students may find a need for more support than most mainstream colleges can provide. In this case, students might consider some colleges with an entire curriculum specifically geared toward ADD and ADHD students. Beacon College located in Leesburg, Florida is a college founded to meet the needs of learning disabled students. Beacon College's mission is to offer academic degree programs to students with learning disabilities while providing a fun college atmosphere coupled with complete educational support. Landmark College in Vermont is another accredited college specifically founded to meet the needs of students with ADHD, ADD, dyslexia and other learning disabled considerations. Taking the time to investigate will help a student find just the right college.

References

• ADDvance: Assessing College Support Services for Students with ADD (ADHD)
• Concord SPED PAC: Colleges for Students with Learning Disabilities
• Attention Deficit Disorder Resources: College Issues for Students with ADHD

Resources

• Beacon College
• Landmark College