Colleges for Kids With Learning Differences

According to Medicine Plus, learning differences, also called learning disorders or learning disabilities, involve the way people take in and recall new knowledge. Students who have learning differences may have difficulties in the classroom listening and paying attention, as well as difficulty with their reading, writing, and math skills. Thus, it can be difficult for a student with learning differences to enter mainstream American colleges. However, such students are entitled to an equally requisite education. There are colleges that have programs especially designed to help students struggling with learning differences so they can achieve their full potential.
  1. Beacon College

    • Beacon College, located in Leesburg, Florida, provides degree programs for students with learning differences. According to its website, it is the only accredited college that provides Bachelor of Arts and Associate of Arts degrees for students with learning differences. The average student-teacher ratio is 8 to 1. Programs in information technology, human services and liberal arts are available. Business management, literature, history, and education are optional minors. There are seminars for the students regarding time management, making a routine, healthful habits, and social life. There is an optional mentoring service available. There is a division on campus that makes sure students take their medical prescriptions and maintain doctor's appointments.

    Emory University

    • Emory University, ranked the 20th best American university by U.S. News in 2011, is located in Atlanta, Georgia. Students with learning differences first consult with a counselor who ascertains the status of their individual learning differences and their personal learning approaches. Emory also provides one-on-one tutoring, additional teaching after class, and support programs that ensure students with learning differences are succeeding to their greatest potential. Software and hardware that make possible the input, integration, and output of words is available for students with listening or speech difficulties so they can improve their learning productivity. According to its website, technologies that assist in one's writing, reading, and studying is also available at Emory for students who need it. One such tool is the Kurzweil 3000, which supplies audio and visual presentations of text and pictures on a screen and can be helpful for reading and note-taking.

    University of Arizona's SALT Center

    • The University of Arizona has a program called Strategic Alternative Learning Techniques designed to accommodate students with learning differences. Students registered in the SALT program meet with a Strategic Learning Specialist to create their own personal Individualized Learning Plan. This involves planning out the one-on-one tutoring, writing support, and other support the student needs based on the student's individual assessment of strengths and weaknesses and type of learning difference. In addition, tutors are available for "drop in" appointments to help students with their work.

    University of Connecticut: B.O.L.D. Program

    • The University of Connecticut, located in Storrs, Connecticut, offers a program called Building Opportunities for students with Learning Disabilities. It is a payment-based program, though it provides comprehensive services for students with learning differences from the first day they arrive on campus. There are workshops to help students' transition from the high school learning setting to the college learning environment during the students' first two years. Other workshops for juniors and seniors foster students' study skills and habits. Students with learning differences meet with their own assigned-learning specialist every week to establish and carry out an adequate support plan based on the student's individual needs and goals.

EduJourney © www.0685.com All Rights Reserved