Do's

  1. Do ask "leading" questions…like "when are final exams scheduled ?" If your sons/daughters don't know, raising the question at the right time may encourage them to find out! There is a semester calendar on the web site (www.ccm.edu/academics/academiccal.aspx), in the college catalogue, and in the class-scheduling book used to select classes for the semester. Make sure you know where information can be found and direct students to the source!

  2. Do know the resources. You can suggest resources…like CCM's web site, which has a great deal of important information (www.ccm.edu). The college catalogue is on-line, and also available in print . It, too, has a lot of important information. Students can be referred to the CASE office if they have questions that are not addressed in the catalogue or on the web site. All professors have office hours that are identified on their course syllabus…any questions about assignments or due dates should be asked of the professor directly.

  3. Do encourage peer contact. Students should get the phone # or email address of another student in their classes so they can reach out, set up study groups, make new social contacts. Students are quite receptive to connecting with another student in case they miss a class or want to clarify (or just gossip!) about a professor's assignments or tests.

  4. Do help students know their strengths and weaknesses and have the vocabulary to explain their LD to others. There is no longer a Child Study team nor an IEP at the college level. Therefore, students must be able to comfortably speak about their LD issues and what accommodations help them in the classroom and on tests. They need to use a mature vocabulary and be able to articulate their strengths, as well as what accommodation they need in order to do well. For instance…"I'm a really hard working student and I take my studies very seriously, but because I write more slowly I need to start my paper as soon as possible. Can I have a copy of the paper guidelines at the beginning of the semester so I can get started." Help your son/daughter acquire these self-advocacy and communication skills.

  5. Do encourage the use of technology! Technology is a great gift to us all, but essential for our LD students' survival in college. Make sure your son/daughter can type…if not, get practice software. Also, make sure they know how to use a tape recorder efficiently by using the number counter to mark the spot on the tape they'll need to review. Make sure they know basic word processing, including how to use spell check and other functions. If students need new equipment, make sure they have a chance to get comfortable with how it operates, have batteries, etc. If they need to use "Books on Tape", try to have them registered while still in high school. Information and application is available on-line from the Recordings for the Blind and Dyslexic at www.rfbd.org. A professional must validate eligibility for this service, and there is now a $75 new applicant registration fee ($25 annual fee thereafter) which must be paid by the consumer. A four-track tape player is also needed, information about which can be obtained directly through RFBD. More and more books are now available on CD-ROM, which may be a preferred format for many students.