High school students with learning disabilities who are interested in attending The University of Memphis will have a chance to get their questions answered tonight at a program titled, "Making the Transition to College Students with Learning Disabilities and/or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder."
The office of Student Disability Services (SDS) program will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. tonight in Brister Hall. The program is designed to inform prospective U of M students, particularly those with learning disabilities or ADHD, about the transition from high school to college.
"We'll be discussing the kinds of information that students with learning disabilities or ADHD need to think about in relation to making decisions about college," said Susan Te Paske, director of Student Disability Services. "Everything from what services are offered to legal rights and responsibilities will be discussed."
SDS offers the program every semester, according to Te Paske.The U of M offers accommodations for students with learning disabilities, including special advising, strategic scheduling of classes, preferential classroom seating and certain specific test accommodations, according to the SDS Web site.
Both the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 prevent discrimination against students with ADHD and require that "students with disabilities that substantially limit a major life activity be provided with academic adjustments and auxiliary aids so that the courses, examinations and activities will be accessible."
In tonight's program, the SDS staff plans to highlight the documentation requirements that students must submit to The U of M to be eligible for special accommodations.
SDS requires that students who wish to obtain services and accommodations provide current medical documentation and meet with an SDS coordinator for an intake appointment.
Between 400 and 500 U of M students register with SDS for learning disabilities or ADHD each year, according to Te Paske.
The Attention Deficit Disorder Association (ADDA) offers specific strategies targeted towards college students with learning disabilities. The association suggests that students with learning disorders, ADD or ADHD, sit towards the front of the class, keep a planner, pick a quiet comfortable study place and select courses of interest to them.
College students were diagnosed with ADHD in increasing amounts in the 90s, but the number of diagnosed has seemed to level off in the past few years.
"I would say, from 1995 to 2000, there was a huge growth in ADHD on college campuses," Te Paske said. "But, it hasn't gone up quite as drastically in the last few years."
Tonight's SDS program is free to the public, but reservations are necessary.
High school juniors and seniors, parents, guidance counselors and special education personnel are among those expected to attend.
