People diagnosed with invisible disabilities such as ADHD, dyslexia, and any other type of learning disability are finding it difficult to pass through the education system like the general population. This is mainly due to the high cost as well as the lack of preparation going into college and university. A recent article in The Atlantic by Laura Castaneda shines a light on what students with learning disabilities have to go through to complete their education. There is support available in the form of Disability Tax Credits and Child Disability Tax Credit however many colleges and universities are now providing extra help for students with learning disabilities. Take a read at this excerpt from the article:
Students with LDs, which also are referred to as “invisible disabilities,” are finding that college is within reach. More schools are providing better services to students with conditions ranging from ADHD to Autism Spectrum Disorders to target a growing market. And although the stigma attached to various conditions still exists, advocacy groups have helped reduce some of it, making it easier for students to seek support. But as with “typical” students, finding the right college “fit” is just as important—perhaps more so—for anyone who learns differently.
As you can see, there is definitely help available for students with learning disabilities. Learning disability is something that is hard for people to understand and realize what the person suffering from it is going through. It not only affects the person suffering from it but also the ones who surround them and are part of their lives. This next excerpt from the article give a great perspective on what it’s like to be someone with a learning disability.
Brain-based learning and attention issues such as ADHD and dyslexia affect an estimated one in five children in the U.S., according to The National Center for Learning Disabilities. That means their parents, educators and therapists, and eventually, their employers, are affected as well. LDs stem from neurological differences in brain structure and function that “affect a person’s ability to receive, store, process, retrieve, or communicate information.” The most common types affect reading, math, and written expression, and include ADHD, dyslexia, dyscalculia, and associated disorders such as auditory or visual processing deficits, executive function deficits, and nonverbal learning disabilities.
As you can see, people suffering from learning disabilities are in desperate need of extra support to complete their education. One big issue for people suffering from learning disabilities is that the support provided usually is at the high school level and then in college, the amount of help and support provided drops drastically. This makes it very hard for someone suffering from a learning disability to transition from high school to college or university. This next excerpt from the article discusses the issue further.
The reasons for the lower graduation rate include added costs and trouble satisfying the documentation requirements. In the K-12 system, for example, schools are required to test students and offer appropriate accommodations for free. At the college level, schools are not required to provide specially designed instruction to accommodate students with disabilities. But college students may be eligible for academic adjustments, program modifications, and extra services, usually for an additional fee. Students also must self-identify as disabled, and documentation of their disability must be provided.
This means it becomes a very hard transition from high school into college which eventually leads to low graduation rates for people with learning disabilities. One concept talked about in the article is “transition planning.” This means, preparing kids right from middle school to get them ready for college.
That means that “transition planning” for students with LDs who want to go to college has to start much earlier—in middle school, said Ernie Rose, a professor of special education and educational leadership at Loyola Marymount University, in Los Angeles. “Students have to prepare for the kind of academic rigor that’s required at two- and four-year colleges,” he said.
Middle school courses bridge to more demanding courses in high school, where the stakes get even higher. Students must take the right classes, especially in core subjects such as math, science, and, if possible, foreign language, said Joseph Madaus, the director of the Center for Postsecondary Education and Disability and the associate dean of the Neag School of Education at the University of Connecticut. “Decisions made in the ninth and 10th grade related to course selection will have a significant impact on a student’s preparation and eligibility for college admission,” he said.
Therefore, despite the amount of support available, it is also up to the kids as well as their parents to start early in getting ready for higher education. Colleges and universities will provide the support needed but at the end of the day, it is up to the student and their parents or caregivers to make sure they are able to deal with the rigor of higher education.
At Disability Credit Canada, we pride ourselves on helping disabled Canadians apply for disability tax credits. Do give us a call to get a free assessment.
People diagnosed with invisible disabilities such as ADHD, dyslexia, and any other type of learning disability are finding it difficult to pass through the education system like the general population. This is mainly due to the high cost as well as the lack of preparation going into college and university. A recent article in The […]
People suffering from autism are finding it more and more difficult to find jobs after finishing their education. Despite applying to hundreds of job adverts, it is not only difficult to get calls but also difficult to pass the interview process. Sometimes, just sharing the fact that one is diagnosed with autism can reduce the […]
A lot of people have a wrong perception of down syndrome. This is mainly due to the wrong image that is being fed by society. This leads to many people with prejudice and a lack of knowledge about down syndrome. A recent article in Huffington Post shines a light on these stereotypes and gives examples […]
The on-going paralympics in Rio has so far been a great success not only for the athletes from around the world but also for the popularity of disabled sports such as wheelchair basketball, blind skiing, etc. A recent article in CBC news by Blair Sanderson shines light on how para-sports in Canada is bridging the […]
According to Statistics Canada, Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder is one of the most common conditions in children. It also states that boys are three times more likely to develop ADHD than girls and the symptoms usually arise between the ages of three and five (Find out more about disability tax credit for ADHD). The number of […]
People suffering from Fibromyalgia have a really hard time dealing with their disability and are sometimes even pushed to retire prematurely. They are usually dealing with a lot of pain which can lead to them being unable to conduct daily activities. A recent article in Fibromyalgia News Today by Robin Dix talks about a study […]
It’s back to school time and many households are dealing with the nerve-jangling ritual that comes along. However, there are many parents in Ontario with autistic children that have a different set of worries than a typical family does (Read more about the Ontario disability tax credit). A recent change in Ontario’s autism services for […]
The province of Ontario usually has very strict rules when determining if you can be considered disabled or not (Please read our guide on disability tax credit in Ontario). One question that has been up for debate for a long period is whether a miscarriage in women is considered a disability. Many said ‘yes’ while […]
Many people are unaware of intellectual disabilities and how hard and challenging it can be not only for the disabled but also for the ones caring for them. Intellectual disability limits intellectual functioning as well as adaptive behavior. This includes many day-to-day activities that the disabled are not able to perform and require the assistance […]
Many disabled Canadians today are finding it hard to get employment. This is despite the fact that many have good qualifications and are perfectly capable of doing the job. It makes it harder for disabled Canadians to pursue a career of their choice and mostly has to settle for jobs that they don’t really like […]
When people hear the word ‘disability’, they typically create the image of a person in a wheelchair in their mind. However, what many people are unaware of is the fact that disability doesn’t have to be visible. Millions of disabled people around the world show no signs of disability on the outside because their disability […]
People who don’t have or care for a child with autism, have a completely different picture of an autistic child than ones who actually care for one. These people are mostly exposed to autistic children through feel-good media stories. Stories such as an autistic child who gets to be a manager of a high school […]
Reach out for a Free Assessment Today.
Our Dedicated Agents Are Here to Help You Access
the Disability Benefits You Deserve.
DISABILITY CREDIT CANADA INC.
ADDRESS: 3701 Chesswood Drive, #208 Toronto, Ontario M3J 2P6, Canada
TOLL-FREE: 1-844-800-6020
FAX: 647-846-7542
Long Term Disability Benefits & WSIB Resources
WSIB Claims and Appeals
Long Term Disability Claims and Appeals
Long Term Disability Denied
Long Term Disability Eligibility
DISABILITY CREDIT CANADA INC.
ADDRESS: 3701 Chesswood Drive, #208 Toronto, Ontario M3J 2P6, Canada
TOLL-FREE: 1-844-800-6020
FAX: 647-846-7542
Long Term Disability Benefits & WSIB Resources
WSIB Claims and Appeals
Long Term Disability Claims and Appeals
Long Term Disability Denied
Long Term Disability Eligibility
The Ultimate CPP Disability Guide
CPP Disability Benefits Application Guide
Reasons CPP Disability Applications Are Denied
CPP Disability Denial and Appeal Overview
How To Write a CPP Disability Appeal Letter
CPP Disability Request For Reconsideration
How To Write a CPP Disability Request For Reconsideration
CPP Disability Appeal: Social Security Tribunal – General Division
CPP Disability Appeal: Social Security Tribunal – Appeal Division