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Learning Differences

It's important to understand how you learn. Public schools K-12 legally need to accommodate all types of learners. Those with diagnosed and documented disabilities may get extra support or accommodations and be on a 504 Plan or IEP.

Students with learning disabilities such as dyslexia, ADD/ADHD, Autism Spectrum Discorders need to advocate for themselves in college. Support resources are available, but the student has to take the initiative to seek them out.

If you have a learning difference talk with your college counselor about whether or not you will disclose the difference during the college application process, or after you have been accepted to a given school.

Learning Difference Resources

• K & W Guide to Colleges for Students with Learning Disabilities from the Princeton Review
• Colleges for Students with Learning Disabilities or AD/HD from Petersons
• Self-Advocacy for College Students from LD online 
• Tips for College-Bound High School Students with Diagnosed Learning Disabilities 
• Going to College: a resource for teens with disabilities
• Think College: College options for people with intellectual disabilities
• We Connect Now: Uniting college students with disabilities 
• National Center for Learning Disabilities: post-high-school options
• BookShare: accessible books and periodicals for students with print disabilities
• Huffington Post photo journal of Colleges with the Best Learning Disability Programs
• Listing of scholarships for students with disabilities

Programs that Combine College and Support for
Independent Living

• The College Internship Program (CIP) is available in Amherst, New York; Long Beach, California; Berkeley, California; Lee, Massachusetts; Melbourne, Florida; and Bloomington, Indiana
• The College Living Experience (CLE) is available in Austin, Texas; Costa Mesa, California; Denver, Colorado; Ft. Lauderdale, Florida; Monterey, California; and Washington DC

PsychoEducational Testing in Portland, Oregon

• Jim Johnson, PhD (Eastside) 503 252-3906
• Colleen O'Mahoney, MSpEd (Westside) 503 244-7513

Face-to-Face Support in Portland, Oregon

• Organizational Challenges, Executive Function Disorder: Deborah Barany
• Anxiety & Stress Reduction, Testing Anxiety: Patrice Khan

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​Comprehensive college counseling  
Westside: Jodi Walder-Biesanz,  jodi.walder@comcast.net, (503) 720-7114,  
Eastside: Emily Standish, emilystandish@comcast.net, (503) 267-4605, 
Portland Metro: Debra Sankovitz, debra.sankovitz@gmail.com, (503) 901-0059,
Global: Rachel Coleman, rachelc1@alumni.stanford.edu
​​Eastside: Abby McKinnon, abby@portlandchildfamilycounseling.com , (503) 317-8761
College Admission Coach, LLC makes no representations, warranties or guarantees about admission to any school. 
Content copyright 2009-2017. College Admission Coach, LLC. All rights reserved.
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