WNY Family Magazine August 2018 | Page 34

Be Prepared
It ’ s in the Details

If you are a parent of a special needs teen , you worked with school personnel each and every year to ensure your child received all necessary accommodations consistent with his IEP or 504 plan . However , once it is time for post-secondary school , it ’ s a whole new ball game .

Parents should decide if their teen is ready to live away from home . There are many challenges , such as unfamiliar environments , more responsibility , and , oftentimes , a much larger campus than the one he is used to . Therefore , besides looking at program fit , parents should choose a college which is equipped to handle their teen ’ s unique situation .

Be Prepared

Students with special needs should be prepared gradually for this transition , so don ’ t wait until senior year .
34 WNY Family August 2018
TWEENS & TEENS
— by Myrna Beth Haskell

A Smooth Transition to College for Teens with Special Needs

Matthew Cooper , assistant director of Disability Support Services at Seton Hall University in South Orange , NJ , urges parents to teach their children self-advocacy , even starting in middle school . He suggests , “ Students with special needs should attend meetings and become familiar with their IEP or 504 plan .”
Parents should ask about workshops for college-bound , special needs students . These are often held at local colleges or as part of a college information night .
Cooper cautions , “ Although all universities that receive federal funding are required to provide accommodations to eligible students , each university ’ s documentation process is different . For example , in some instances , showing the disabilities office a copy of your son ’ s or daughter ’ s current IEP may be enough for extra time on tests , whereas another office may require updated testing and evaluations .”
Andrea Coren , M . Ed ., who has worked in special education for thirtyfive years and is currently the disabilities specialist at Arcadia University in Glenside , PA , cautions , “ Parents with the best intentions can become enablers of their teen with special needs . Relinquishing one ’ s parental role as advocate is a difficult one .” Coren beseeches parents to gradually allow their young adult to become an expert on his disability and learning style . “ This self-awareness will translate into self-advocacy — a much needed skill in college , the work place , and all realms of life .”
To assess a teen ’ s readiness for college life , Coren suggests parents ponder these questions :
• Can she keep up with assignment due dates ?
• Does he have adequate organization and time management skills ?
• Can she manage money ?
• Does he understand his strengths and weaknesses ?

It ’ s in the Details

Address specific issues during the search process . Will she be comfortable in large lecture hall settings ? Is regular correspondence with a campus advocate a necessity ? Are there peer support groups for special needs students on campus ?
Carole Patrylo , Ed . D ., a professor of education at La Salle University in Philadelphia , PA and director of the university ’ s summer program for special needs children , explains , “ Most special needs students have adjustment issues . They might want to consider attending a smaller community college before transferring to a larger college .” She recommends that students sit in on classes or shadow a student for the day during campus visits . Parents should keep a list of questions handy when they visit schools . Some might include :
• What are the documentation re-