Do's
- 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/academic/newcal.shtml),
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!
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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