Resources & Support for College Students with Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, or Dyscalculia

Individuals with dysgraphia have distorted, unusual, or unclear handwriting. Though young children might have trouble writing during the first few years of school, that tends to change as they get older. Those with dysgraphia can still have the problem as adults. The condition often goes hand-in-hand with other issues, such as dyslexia or ADHD.

Dysgraphia & College

Though computers make it much easier for those with dysgraphia to turn in assignments such as papers or reports, they can still have great difficulty with written essays during test time or writing notes in class. Even creating quick notes on a whiteboard for a class exercise can be extremely challenging.

This is a learning disability that involves numbers and math. Basic concepts, like understanding bigger versus smaller, can be difficult, as can measuring quantities or understanding word problems that must be converted into numbers to solve. Counting money, estimating time, memorizing multiplication tables, and understanding logic behind even simple math can be signs of this condition.

Dyscalculia & College

Students in college are often required to take certain math courses as prerequisites. Unfortunately, those with dyscalculia can struggle with the concepts taught in these classes and can still have trouble even with one-on-one tutoring. Keep in mind that science classes also require some math, so there can be issues with everything from biology to chemistry.

There are ways to help keep your workload manageable, and most of them include workarounds for things most students take for granted. For example, recording lectures to play back later can help for those who struggle with taking notes. Extra time for tests can help those who struggle with math. And a reduced class load can help for those who find it tough to keep up with all the reading required in college.

As with any other college student, planners and calendars are essential. There will be many things happening that require some serious scheduling. Besides the classroom meetings, study time, and social activities, students with learning disabilities might need to schedule in time for group study, one-on-one tutoring, and more.

When study time rolls around, take the time to find the things that work for you. Some people need music to stay focused, others need total silence – in that case, invest in earplugs. Using a timer can help those who need to take frequent breaks during studying and making flashcards can help with rote memorization.

When studying, stick to a schedule. Which classes are more difficult? Tackle those first. Plan out a schedule that allows you to hit every assignment or study commitment, then go back and start the schedule over again if time allows. It can also be helpful if you can take practice tests in a format that will match what the teacher intends to use, so you can enhance your skills over time.

Any college student can make good use of a planner or calendar, one clearly marked with dates and plenty of room to write down copious notes. A lot of students do still use the old-fashioned paper calendars, but those with dyslexia or dysgraphia might much prefer the wide variety of calendar apps that allow them to type out their to-do lists rather than write them down.

Don’t be afraid to try new things to see what works. For instance, a person with dyscalculia might have trouble reading a digital clock, so perhaps a watch will work better as a visual aid. Creating to-do lists and checking them off can help anyone, but especially those who suffer from these learning disabilities, which often go hand-in-hand with ADHD.

Learning disabilities aren’t something a person must face alone – there are federal laws in place that make sure of it. These laws guarantee equal opportunities for those with disabilities by ensuring they have equal opportunities for services, employment, and higher education. You should become familiar this the acts below.

Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) and 2008 amendments

The ADA and the 2008 amendment help ensure equal opportunities for employment, accommodations, and education for those with disabilities. This means colleges and universities are prohibited from discriminating against students who have a legally recognized disability. The law ensures students have equal access to services, activities, and programs offered by their school, as well as equal footing during the admissions process. As part of the ADA, schools must provide reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities.

Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (specifically section 504)

This law is similar to the ADA because it prohibits discriminating against someone on the basis of a legally recognized disability. However, this more specifically applies to schools, as the requirements are most applied to places that receive federal funding. That means most colleges and universities are subject to this law. Section 504 ensures that schools make their programs, activities, and admissions available to all students who qualify, and requires that the schools provide reasonable accommodations for those with disabilities.

You know you need to advocate for yourself, but how do you do that? Where do you start? How do you find the appropriate places where someone will listen and help ensure you find solutions? Here are some ideas.

Where to go for help at school

All schools must follow certain rules when it comes to students with disabilities, so there will usually be an office or department dedicated to anti-discrimination on campus and providing reasonable accommodations to those who need it. Smaller schools might not have an office for this, but will still have someone on staff to serve as a Section 504 or ADA coordinator. Find this person by getting in touch with the admissions office.

What to ask for

When you have a discussion with the school about accommodations, be as clear as you can about what you need. For instance, if you know you need to be able to record lectures, take notes, or have one-on-one assistance from tutors or professors, make that clear from the start. Keep in mind that once you begin college, you might suddenly find that further accommodations are needed. Ask the college what the process is for requesting those accommodations.

How to ask

Simply asking for accommodations isn’t enough. You will have to provide plenty of documentation to back up your diagnosis and your need for those accommodations. At the very least, you will need testing results from a qualified medical professional that makes your diagnosis clear, a list of the types of accommodations you’ve received thus far in high school or other educational setting, and documents that satisfy the law by stating you have a “functional impairment” that makes accommodations necessary.

When to make contact

As soon as you are accepted to the school, start the process of getting those accommodations in order. Make contact with the admissions office and ask them to direct you to the proper person. Work on getting the documentation as soon as possible, since the school will need some time to process the information and get those accommodations in place for you.