dyslexia at adulthood

http://www.macalester.edu/academics/psychology/whathap/ubnrp/dyslexia/adult.html

Adulthood College or Vocational Training
College
Many high school guidance counselors have little information about college programs for students with dyslexia. Because of this, these students are oftentimes not encouraged to consider higher education or sign up for college preparatory classes. A poor or uneven academic record and/or standardized test scores may also discourage students from exploring college as an option. However, young people with learning disabilities, including dyslexia, are attending colleges and universities in record numbers thanks to a Federal law that requires all institutions of higher learning to make "reasonable accommodations" for students with learning disabilities. (Smith et al., 1997) Although these accomomdations are required, the range of services varies from school to school, so it is important to investigate the exact services available before applying to a college. A free booklet is available from the HEATH Resource Center (1-800-544-3284) entitled How to Choose a College : Guide for the Student with a Disability, published to help students assess their readiness for college and identify what to look for in a college or university.
Smith and Strick suggest the following guidelines to help parents and young adults assess their potential for the success in college.

• Students who have mild to moderate dyslexia and an average or above average intelligence should be encouraged to consider college.
• Motivated students with moderate to severe dyslexia can also succeed in college, but they will require more assistance.
• College will probably not meet the needs of youngsters who have significantly lower than average intelligence, major interpersonal problems, and/or very severe language, cognitive processing, or attention deficits.

Other suggestions include having more than one college in mind during the application process. Also, before making the final decision on which college to attend, by all means, get a tour of the campus. It is essential for the dyslexic student to visit prospective campuses during the academic year, in order to arrange to sit in on an introductory level class and talk with some of the professors. It's important to keep in mind that some professors are more accommodating to the needs of the dyslexic student. Consider prep college work through smaller community college classes. Take study skills classes first semester, and take 1-2 courses/semester for the first year to adjust to college life. Smith and Strick list some critical questions that need to be asked during your tour of prospective colleges.