Support for Student-Athletes Who Learn Differently
As a college counselor who specializes in advising college-bound student-athletes, I’ve worked with a fair number of students with diagnosed learning differences (LD).
As your family begins the recruiting process and researching colleges, don’t underestimate the importance of continuing your LD accommodations (IEP or 504) past high school. Many student-athletes consider dropping this support because they don’t want to expose their learning difference to a coach. However, the transition to college can be challenging without the added pressure of being a student-athlete or having a learning disability. Student-athletes should embrace these services during this time of transition to provide the highest likelihood of success both as a student and an athlete.
Finding support for your student-athlete with LD in high school might look different than it does in college, so I asked a few colleagues who know this field well to talk about resources and how they are working to improve not only the student’s experience but also impacting the way teachers and coaches interact with student-athletes with LD.
NCAA
For academic eligibility purposes, the NCAA defines an education-impacting disability (EID) as a current impairment that has a substantial educational impact on a student’s academic performance and requires accommodation. The list of qualifying EIDs includes learning disabilities/disorders, ADHD, mental health disorders, medical conditions, deaf/hard of hearing, and autism spectrum disorder. The NCAA Eligibility Center publishes an FAQ that student-athletes might also find helpful.
LD SERVICES OFFERED BY UNIVERSITIES
The K&W Guide to Colleges for Students with Learning Differences
While all colleges and universities that receive federal funds are required to ensure equal access to students with learning differences, the services they provide are not always comparable and the labels given to their categories of service can vary. This book provides a comprehensive overview of LD services in college and groups programs into 3 categories: Structured Programs, Coordinated Services, and Services. It costs about $20 on Amazon.com.
For those student-athletes in need of support beyond the accommodations provided for free by each university, families might consider paid programs like the SALT Center at the University of Arizona. While these programs are fee-based, they do offer scholarship opportunities to help cover the additional cost and may be utilized by student-athletes.
ONGOING EXECUTIVE FUNCTION SUPPORT SERVICES FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS & VIRTUAL SUMMER BOOTCAMPS/WORKSHOPS
The next two options offer a way for student-athletes to feel confident about receiving executive function support at any school because these services are available virtually anywhere in the country. These services are a great way to get Structured Program level services at a university that only offers basic LD services.
UntappedLearning.com - Brandon Slade, Founder & CEO
Untapped Learning was started by Brandon Slade, a former college football player who went on to earn his EdS degree in School Psychology and teach special education for 12 years. Untapped Learning is based in Colorado but offers services to high school and college students across the country. Their mentors, many of whom are former college athletes, meet twice weekly with students with ADHD and other executive function challenges and they focus on time management, organization, accountability, metacognition, routines, and study skills. In addition, they offer summer workshops to support study skills.
With the increase in the use of online learning management systems like Canvas and Blackboard, Brandon noticed that his students struggled with the wide variety of ways teachers and professors would communicate with their students. His company now offers an 8-hour training workshop to universities so their professors understand how to utilize LMS software to effectively communicate with students with executive function challenges.
CollegeSuccessPlan.com - Elizabeth Pyle, President & Founder
College Success Plan’s President and Founder, Elizabeth Pyle, has worked with high school and college students for over 25 years as an educator, mentor, and tutor, and through study with Rush NeuroBehavioral Center. Her core business offers weekly sessions for college students who are diagnosed with ADHD and ADD, many of whom are NCAA Division II and III athletes, to keep them on track. Many clients utilize their summer program and may need temporary support for a semester or a year to feel confident with managing their workload. The goal for every student is to be independent and efficient. This program brings accountability, consistency, and structure to an athlete’s life.
College Success Plan has expanded its service offering to international students in addition to offering career planning, a college wellness program, and college transition workshops.
Executive Function Coaching Summer Programs - Additional Recommendations
UNIVERSITIES SPECIALIZING IN NEURODIVERSE STUDENTS & RESIDENTIAL SUMMER TRANSITION PROGRAMS
Lynn University and Landmark College both specialize in supporting students with LD. Student-athletes looking for a residential summer transition program should consider the options offered by Landmark College. You do not need to be admitted to Landmark in order to attend their summer programs.
PRESENTATION: TRANSITION FROM HIGH SCHOOL TO COLLEGE FOR NEURODIVERSE STUDENTS
Dana Hills High School PTSA - Parent Education recently invited two local college counselors (southern California) who specialize in working with neurodiverse high school students to discuss the transition from high school to college. View the recording here.
Guest Speakers:
Janice Royal, Principal Counselor at Royal College Consulting
COACHING COACHES
OwnBeatAthlete.com - Susan Stout
Susan is passionate about advocating for student-athletes with ADHD, learning differences, and anxiety. She founded Own Beat Athlete based on her personal experience as an athlete, coach, teacher, lawyer, and mother of a talented teen athlete with these challenges. Her primary goal is to educate the coaching community about how to bring out the best in athletes who are “wired differently”.