“Springer Was the Pandemic’s Silver Lining”
February 23, 2021
Helping Your Child Make Academic Transitions
March 10, 2021
Change... it is the one fact of life that we can always rely on. Some of us embrace change; others would probably prefer to run away kicking and screaming. For those of us with children who struggle with learning disabilities or ADHD, the latter is most likely a common experience in our everyday lives. For children who struggle, change can be all consuming and fear provoking. But with a little bit of preparation, we can help ease some of these worries and fears.
If you are the parent or caregiver for a high school student, many changes are most likely on your horizon, including thinking about sending your child to college. And although your child may feel like they are ready for this “transition” - this next step in their lives - you are probably feeling pretty anxious and maybe even apprehensive. A child transitioning to college can be stressful under the best of circumstances, but add into that a child who struggles, and our stress meter can shoot through the roof.
So how do we help our students prepare for this rite of passage? How do we prepare them for the independent living they are sure to encounter? Let’s check in with one of my go-to places for advice - understood.org. In an article titled 9 Steps for Easing the Transition to College, the author outlines practical steps that can and should be practiced well in advance of your child going to college. Those steps include daily living considerations like:
- Getting your child comfortable with meeting people
- Assigning “advanced chores”
- Teaching money management and retail skills
Skills necessary for academics include:
- Practicing breaking down long-term assignments
- Developing good study habits
- Helping them understand their learning and thinking differences
- Developing self-advocacy skills
Although these steps may seem daunting, starting them early in your child’s high school years can help ease the burden and the sense of urgency when they become a senior and are ready to make that transition. Another great source for support are the disability services department at many universities. They can be a tremendous guidepost on how to get your child ready for transitioning to college.
Do you have a high school sophomore, junior or senior thinking about going to college, but you’re unsure how their learning disability will impact the goal? Check out Springer’s upcoming live webinar Pathways to College Admissions for Students with LD & ADHD. Representatives from Notre Dame College in South Euclid, Ohio, along with Springer experts, will be presenting valuable information for college-bound students.
Blogger Lisa Bruns, M.Ed., Special Education, shares her expertise of students with learning disabilities. As a special educator, she has expert knowledge of interventions and accommodations that students may need to succeed in and out of the classroom. If you have questions, please contact Center Director Lisa Bruns at .
