The transition to college means more independence in all areas of your life.  For those students with documented learning disabilities and/or ADHD it is important to know that you must be your own self-advocate at the college level and be able to speak up for yourself. 

Although parents might be responsible for paying the college tuition bill, the disability service providers are not permitted to talk to parents, unless the student signs a waiver as directed by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).  You, the student, will be seeking out help for yourself.  Your current documentation gives you access to receive accommodations and services at college under ADA, Americans with Disabilities Act but this is different than the law that governs secondary school, IDEA, The Individuals Disabilities Education Act which is more about entitlement. 

Some tips to help you get started on the road to self-advocacy and independence:

1.      Attend your IEP or 504 Plan Meetings and actively participate in the decisions being made. Read through your evaluation and know what it says. Clarify any questions you might have. By the time you are a senior, you should know what your disability is and be able to talk about it to your service provider at college.

2.      Evaluate Your Learning Style and be able to express how you learn best.  Do you like large lectures or small classes that require participation. Do you do better on multiple choice or essay tests?  Sometimes, the service providers at college can guide you on which professors will fit better with your personal learning style.

3.      Create a List of the Accommodations that you believe will help you at college so that when you meet with disability services you can explain what works for you. Some of the most used accommodations for college students are: extended time for testing, distraction-reduced environment, use of a tape recorder, note-taker. 

4.      Evaluate Your Morning Routine. Do you wake yourself up or does a family member get you up in the morning? It is time to practice waking yourself so you can get to your classes on time.

5.      Evaluate Your Organizational Skills.  This is a fundamental skill for college success.  While using the calendar on your phone can work, make sure you back it up with a written diary so that if you lose your phone you won't lose your entire schedule.

6.      Get Your Support Network in Order before the semester begins when you make your final decision.  Each college has their own system on how they provide accommodations.  Take charge!  Call disability services and ask what steps need to be taken so you will be well situated for the beginning of the first semester of your college career.