Kids with Disabilities Connecting with College

There is a misconception out there that kids with disabilities are not able or welcome or capable in attending secondary education. The reality is that one in six kids in public schools has some sort of disability. Many of these children graduate high school with some sort of diploma but what then? One particular Midwest program has begun to cater to individuals with disabilities in their quest to gain secondary education and fulfill their vocation goals. Elmhurst College in Chicago has expanded their Learning and Success Academy with a student population that has diagnoses that include Down’s syndrome, Autism, and ADD. ELSA provides kids with the total college experience including both dorm rooms and off campus housing. They provide a generalized academic curriculum as well as classes that improve time management, career goals and independent living skills. The ELSA program has graduated 19 students and 24 students are currently enrolled. The key to Elsa’s success is that disabled students participate with the general student body even if they are living at home. Educational coaches assist students in setting academic and career goals and each student is required to complete some sort of voluntary community service.

DePaul University and University of Iowa both have programs geared toward students with intellectual disabilities. The University of Wisconsin has 80 student slots set aside for students graduating from high school with a modified curriculum. The goals of each of these programs are not to graduate students with advanced doctoral degrees but to graduate students with certain marketable skills that will promote independent living in the future.

If you are a parent looking for secondary educational options for your child; there are resources out there but you must be diligent and tenacious. One website in particular is geared toward kids with disabilities exploring college options. weconnectnow.wordpress.com is a comprehensive site geared toward resources and access programming access and advocacy. They steer kids toward job and college fairs as well as exploring a myriad of diagnoses. So get out there and explore your options, connect with the appropriate websites and don’t give up! A post high school education is right around the corner. (Reference: The Chicago Tribune 11/9/2011)

Respectfully Submitted,

Elizabeth Nelson,  MSW
Behavior Clinician