Whether or not to disclose a learning disability in college can be a difficult decision for a student who has endured the stigma of the “Special Education” label for his entire school career. To shed the “LD” stamp and feel like their peers, students often choose not to disclose after high school. Be careful, however, to carefully weigh the pros and cons for each choice, for the ramifications of this decision can sometimes have dire consequences.
Students often fail to realize that college brings a whole new set of rules regarding disabilities — in college, students with disabilities are anonymous. Disclosure is confidential and involves only the Disability Services Office and any instructors whom the student informs. Labels are non-existent.
Should you disclose in an application? Probably not — unless you are applying to a college solely for students with disabilities, or you have the need to explain unusually poor grades or test scores. Generally speaking, you do not want to give a college any reason to have preconceived notions. One might logically assume that college admissions officers would have knowledge of disabilities and understand that students with LD can be assets – they are often highly creative, bright, “outside the box” thinkers. However, even among professionals, there is still an extraordinary lack of knowledge. Why risk the possibility of an uninformed individual reviewing your application?
Once admitted to a college, however, there are definite advantages to disclosure:
- Coming from high school, a supportive environment with lower expectations and a lighter workload, you will likely have difficulty navigating a new system without guidance or a safety net. Disclosure makes you eligible for accommodations such as extra time, a distraction-free test environment, a note-taker, specialized tutoring, etc. Using these accommodations does not provide you advantages – it simply levels the playing field, giving you the same opportunities as other students. Think about accommodations the way you would eye glasses.
- Disclosure provides protection under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), specifically Section 504. If your documentation supports accommodations and you are being denied, you have the law on your side. Without disclosure you are unprotected, despite the fact that a disability exists.
- Disclosure and use of accommodations at the outset increase your likelihood of success and bolster your confidence. It is far easier to maintain a high GPA (grade point average) than it is to raise a low one. Students who insist on “going it on their own” for the first semester frequently struggle with college’s unique challenges, ending up with less than optimal grades. They are then in a position of having to raise their GPAs to an acceptable level — which can take many semesters. When you begin a new venture, doesn’t it make sense to put your best foot forward? Isn’t it true good grades empower you? Conversely, poor grades may cause you to doubt your very decision to attend college in the first place.
- If you suspect you will be unable to handle a full college course load at the outset, and your psycho-educational testing supports this, ask your examiner to add “Reduced course load” to the list of recommendations at the end of your documentation. Disclosure should give you permission to take fewer classes, while still being considered a full-time student for insurance purposes. Be sure to ask your college’s disability services provider about this.
