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Notes from MLD meeting, Wednesday, September 27, 2006. Asbury United Methodist Church, Madison, AL Speaker: Valinda Murphy Valinda�s theme was the experience of getting her oldest son, a dyslexic college student, started in college. She gave the following suggestions and insights into the experience for others that find themselves contemplating such a transition for their dyslexic son or daughter. College has been easier than elementary and high school due to the universities taking Americans with Disabilities Act very seriously. To receive accommodations at the university level, follow these steps: ? Call ahead and ask for the office of Student Services Learning Disabilities. (SSLD) Ask for listing of accommodations offered by that college or university. They will have these in writing to mail to you, just ask for them. ? Ask what documentation is required to receive accommodations. ? Ask how recent the tests need to be for the test results to be acceptable. ? Gather documentation beginning a couple years before your child will enter college. Submit to ACT/SAT so your child can take that test with accommodations. ? When getting a current round of tests to show your child needs accommodations, ask the tester if they have experience in submitting test results to the university or testing board you plan to submit to. Call the university or ACT/SAT board to find out exactly how information has to be submitted and follow those requirements. It is a good idea to begin gathering information on accommodations from all the colleges or universities your child might want to attend. Keep a note book of the information for your reference. Then you have a place to file new information and it is less likely to be lost. Some of the documentation you might be expected to supply to show the university your child needs accommodations may include: � 504 � IEP � Specific tests showing the disability exists and reported in a certain way. (Testing will probably have to be current, as in two years or newer to be acceptable. Call ahead before you have testing done to find out what the university requires and be sure that is what you are getting.) � Letters from teachers and principals showing how your child has benefited from accommodations in high school may also be needed for submission. Preparing a dyslexic student to go to college is a big job. Considering these factors will help. � Find your child�s strengths. Help him or her also find those strengths. � Help your child fit in socially by reminding him or her how to act in social settings. � Help your child become self-aware. This involves helping him or her know not only his own limitations but also his own strengths. � Help your child know when and how to ask for help. � Be sure your child knows where to ask for help. Steps needed to follow in order to receive the accommodations you have worked so hard to get for him or her. Valinda was very upbeat and encouraging. She reminded us that our children are capable of many things, and that it is well worth the effort to get them the accommodations they need so they can succeed in college.
