moving along...

I am sitting here way too long just trying to come up with a silly title for this post. Whose idea was it anyway to have to title every little thing we write? Like I'm that important. I know, I don't *have* to title it, but that BLANK up there will then mock me mercilessly, lol.

Back to the subject of this post, I received a book I had been wishing for through Paperback Swap: The K&W Guide to Colleges for Students with Learning Disabilities .  This one's from 2005, but I don't mind because my dd won't be going to college for 5 years anyway... I requested it more as an introduction to the world of LDs in college than for any *specific* information about a college.

And boy did it do it's job. I had a huge lightbulb moment while looking over the book for the first time today. All these colleges - good schools too, not just those scraping the bottom of the barrel student wise - are willing to give accommodations to students with learning disabilities to help them succeed.  I have been mentally struggling over what to allow my 12yo to "get away with" as far as these "extras" go, thinking for sure I would have to wean her off any real help before she hit college.  This morning it hit me - I don't have to worry, and I don't have to mentally wrestle with it.  If a college will allow my grown daughter to use a calculator to take a chemistry exam, it is OK to let my *young* daughter use one for pre-algebra ... or a spell checker (instead of me mentally rolling my eyes every time I see the latest free writing sentences) or audio books of every sort!  IT'S OK.  I'm not cheating, or cheating her.

Here is what one local university is willing to provide students who need it:

• calculator, computer, and spell checker in exams
• extended test time
• scribes
• proctors
• oral exams
• note takers in class
• distraction reduced environment for tests
• tape recording allowed in class
• provides books from RFBD
• allows taping of texts not on RFBD
• accommodations for students with ADD (they don't say what)
• reading machines
• other assistive technology
• priority registration
• LD specialists on staff
• course substitutions allowed for foreign language and math (typical grad requirements)

Now of course, not every students gets every accommodation, and I have heard horror stories of kids that went to professors who really gave them a hard time about it until they went over the profs head.  But I have total faith that my stubborn go-getter dd will be able to sweet talk *anyone* into getting what she needs for her courses, LOL.

It's nice to have a little weight off my shoulders.  Now where is that calculator...