Attend any college info session or admissions meeting, and you’re sure to hear the word “diversity.” While this term often refers to race, gender, geographic region, or even college major, it also applies to the different ways students’ brains are wired. Parents of neuro-atypical students should look for schools that not only support neurodiversity but that welcome and celebrate it! Beyond providing students with resources to help them thrive, inclusive universities will allow students to be their authentic selves, without the stigma and shame sometimes associated with neurodivergence.
But how do you identify such institutions?
College Websites
When you’re looking to learn more about a college’s majors or dorm situation, its website is a great place to begin your research; similarly, online research can provide a wealth of information about an institution’s disability services.
In particular, pay attention to both the breadth and depth of resources offered. Is support integrated across the entire range of departments and programs? Consider the specific structures that your student needs (e.g. one-on-one tutoring, or a centralized support office to keep things simple). If you find relevant programs, look deeper to understand any associated costs in addition to tuition so you can be fully informed.
Web design can often (but not always) reveal something about the way support is offered: is the site easy to navigate, or are you clicking in an endless, byzantine maze to find what you need? Does the university clearly explain accommodation policies, and make it easy to know where to find help?
Finally, note the overall tone of the site – does the school’s language recognize the valuable contributions that neurodiverse students bring to the learning community?
Parent Forums & Facebook Groups
You likely already belong to some online groups or participate in forums for parents of neurodiverse kids – these can be a treasure trove of personal anecdotes and information about families’ real lived experiences with different universities.
While colleges will always want to put their best foot forward, other parents will openly share how a school has missed the mark and ways in which it has exceeded expectations.
Again, it’s important to filter the comments for information that’s relevant to your specific situation. For example, if a parent raves over the support at College X for students with dyslexia, but your child has ADHD, consider whether the offerings at that specific school will translate into useful resources for your child.
Keep in mind that each parental anecdote is just one data point representing a single family’s experience, whether it’s positive or negative. Look at the totality of comments and suggestions, without basing your decision on any one family’s observations.
Information Sessions & Tours
After you’ve started narrowing your college list to a few specific places, it’s a great idea to visit some schools. Physically stepping onto a campus is a helpful step for any family — and it’s even more important for neurodivergent students, who can be especially sensitive to things like noise levels and other environmental factors that can differ dramatically from school to school.
At Colledge, we strongly suggest signing up for an official, guided tour whenever possible (rather than roaming the campus by yourself). This will let the college know you’re seriously considering them and earn you those “demonstrated interest points” at institutions that track them. Guided tours also offer a better idea of the history, culture, and traditions of each school.
Have a list of questions, both for your tour guide and the Admissions Officer running the info session. Since tour guides are typically current students, you might ask about their personal experiences, like whether they or their friends use academic support services, and how easy these are to navigate. You can ask Admissions Officers more pointed questions about the types of services neurodiverse students can expect, or how accommodations work. It’s good practice to ask the same questions at each school, so you can compare all the answers later.
Finally, during your visit, carve out time to connect with an admissions officer after the tour and visit the school’s office of student support. Often, it’s walking into these offices that will tell the real story about how your child will be supported (or not) on each campus.
Reach Out to Colledge
The process of identifying the best right-fit schools is daunting, and factoring in support for neuro-atypical students can make things even more complex. If your family is looking for additional support for your neurodivergent student’s college journey we’re here to help! Reach out today.
Other Tips
- Be flexible! Being stuck on one “dream school” (or even a narrow set of colleges) will make it harder to be pragmatic about which institutions will really provide a successful and enjoyable experience for your student. And let your research shape opinions! A college might barely be on your radar at first — until you dive deep into the amazing ways it would support your child and help them flourish from freshman to senior year.
- Try to be as specific as possible when you investigate schools. (E.g. Does a college have resources for learning differences generally or specific support for ADHD? Does this college specialize in supporting students with dyspraxia?)
- Think not just about your child’s cognitive needs, but their academic and social needs: would they work better in small group settings, with 1:1 attention, or in larger classrooms?
- First-Year Experience programs can help kids find community, adjust to being away from home for the first time, as well as get their academic bearings. These types of programs are great for all students and can be especially helpful for neuro-atypical teens to find their people and navigate a brand new experience like college.
Particular Schools
- Hofstra University (PALS) – Hempsted, NY
- U of A (SALT) – Tucson, AZ
- Lynn University – Boca Raton, FL
- University of Denver (LEP) – Denver, CO
- Curry College, Milton, MA
- Landmark College, Putney, VT
- University of Connecticut (CSD), Storrs, CT
- University of California, Berkeley
- Augsberg University, Minneapolis, MN (whose disability services are primarily low-cost or free)
It’s worth noting that while an institution like USC has an array of excellent disability services, it’s designed primarily with neurotypical students in mind; compare this with schools like Landmark College, who are organized to support students across the spectrum of learning needs.
Wherever your student ends up, always remind them that knowing themself and the unique way that they learn, process information, and communicate is key. However much support they have, it will be ultimately up to them in college to open up possibilities for an exciting future. Identifying and looking for what they need in a college will continue to grow their ability to self-advocate, a life-long skill.
And if you need additional support to find the best right-fit schools for your student, click here to schedule a free Student Success Call. Colledge, is often a great fit for neurodiverse students, thanks to our highly-tailored model that centers each student and helps them see and showcase their unique strengths and goals, while structuring the process to offer the executive functioning support students need to dream big!
