Q: My son has a learning disability and has always received help from special programs at his private Christian school. His grades have always been good, yet I wonder about his future education. He really wants to go to college and I don't want to discourage him. But I worry about his chances of getting accepted. And if he could get accepted, I wonder if he'll get the special help he needs when he gets there.
A: I'm sure you're thankful for the help that has been available to your son with his learning disability and for the success he has had. If his grades are good, he should definitely explore the college option.
Schedule a meeting with your son's guidance counselor. He or she can give you a realistic sense of which schools would be most likely to admit your son, based on his record. It's also a good idea to call an admissions counselor at schools your son is interested in. Talk with them about the standards for acceptance on their campus. As you and your son consider different colleges, it will be crucial to get information about the support services available on each campus. Seek the level of help your son will need, but be sure that your son takes responsibility for his own learning by participating in and even guiding this part of the process.
Many schools provide services for learning-disabled students, and many students seek academic enrichment and support of some kind—whether it's related to a learning disability, or just to improve their writing or study skills. I hope your son will find just the right school where he will have the support he needs and where he can continue to thrive and honor God with his gifts and abilities.
Written by Judy Moseman
