Helping students with learning disabilities improve their organizational skills

Helping students with learning disabilities improve their organizational skills

1. Independence is overwhelming for first-year students

   • Distractions, video games, time with friends
     • "Escape" from challenges if become overwhelmed or get behind

2. Lack of motivation is a problem

   • Boredom
   • Sleep deprivation
   • Long-term projects and infrequent exams
     • At the same time as support systems taken away

3. Graduation stats aren't great

   • 40 percent of those with learning disabilities graduate in 8 years compared to 51 percent of those without learning disabilities

4. Students often do not report a disability or request help

   • Only 19 percent with a disability in HS receive accommodations in college
     • Only 28 percent report their disability to the college
       • Not fun to be identified as "disabled" -- these are smart people who don't want the label

5. "Executive function deficits"

   • Can cause challenges with attention, task initiation and completion, and regulation of delayed gratification
     • Includes those with learning disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, traumatic brain injury, PTSD, and anxiety
       • Einstein, Thomas Edison, and Leonardo da Vinci are believed to have had ADHD. Success is very possible.
   • Students twice as likely to be on academic probation due to learning challenges
     • "Smart but needing support"

6. "It's a cognitive issue, not a character flaw"

   • But faculty can get frustrated.

7. How to help...

   • Bypass general ed courses?
     • Consider medication
       • Work to improve faculty attitudes
         • Encourage students to self-advocate
           • Mentoring
             • Peer tutoring
               • Academic coaches
                 • weekly 30-minute check-in
             • Recommend clubs and activities to provide structure
     • or recommend taking fewer courses

8. Article by Theresa Sullivan Barger: "Helping the Haphazard Student"