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THE Mission of the olentangy schools parent mentor program

The mission of our Parent Mentors program is to provide support and resources to families of children with special needs and the professionals who serve them.
Olentangy Parent Mentor Program Flyer Parent Mentor Project Flyer from the Ohio Department of Education
What is a Parent Mentor?

A Parent Mentor is a free support provided by the district to parents of children with special needs or children who are suspected of having special needs. A Parent Mentor is the parent of a child with special needs who acts as a bridge between home and school to support meaningful collaboration.

What does a Parent Mentor Do?

Olentangy Schools Parent Mentors provide the following services for you and your family:

Provide information about special education programs (preschool, school age and transition into adult life) offered by Olentangy Schools.

Explain the Individualized Education Program (IEP) process and the parents' role in the development of the IEP. They are familiar with the process; they've been through it.

Organize and conduct workshops, and support groups for parents and professionals.

Connect parents and professionals with community resources as well as the Parent Mentor Library, which includes print materials on a wide variety of topics, available for loan to parents and professionals.

Fran Gardner
Parent Mentor for Middle School & High School families
Fran Gardner Bio

Phone: (614) 332-6868

Anne Pistone
Parent Mentor for Preschool & Elementary families
Anne Pistone Bio

Phone: (614) 332-5269

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Parent Mentor Program - Olentangy Local School District

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Parent Mentor Program - Olentangy Local School District

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Ohio's Parent Mentor Project

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Special education refers to a range of services to help kids with disabilities learn and make progress in school. Explore this guide to special education basics.

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Evaluation Roadmap for families with children ages 3-21

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Evaluation Roadmap for families with children ages 3-21

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Families of Students with Disabilities from Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (formerly ODE)

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Families of Students with Disabilities from Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (formerly ODE)

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Medical Diagnosis vs Educational Eligibility

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The Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities (OCECD) shared this Tip Sheet that highlights the differences between a medical diagnosis and educational eligibility.

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Olentangy Schools Pupil Services Department

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Olentangy Schools Pupil Services Department

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Marty Arganbright
Director of Pupil Services

Stefanie Daberkow
Asst. Director, Pupil Services - Elementary

Malika Jefferson
Asst. Director, Pupil Services - Secondary

Jaclyn Roscoe,
Asst. Director, Pupil Services - Preschool

Eric Gulley,
Asst. Director,Pupil Services-K-12 EL Program

Lydia Furmanchik,
Pupil Services Secretary

Please email record requests to: pupilservices_emails@olsd.us

PHONE: (740) 657-4070
FAX: (740) 657-4097
Contact your
Pupil Services Supervisor

The Pupil Services Department is committed to meeting the unique needs of students with disabilities by offering a continuum of services as outlined in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 ( IDEA) Olentangy believes that every child can learn, and we offer a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) to all children ages 3 through 21 with disabilities living within the district's boundaries. In accordance with Child Find regulations, Olentangy maintains an ongoing effort to identify, locate, and evaluate children with disabilities in the district who are in need of special education and/or related services. If you suspect your child may have a disability, please contact your child's teacher, principal, or the Pupil Services office at 740-657-4070.

Pupil Services Supervisors oversee each school, and are available to provide specialized information and guidance regarding assessment, specially designed instruction, related services support, or any other questions or concerns regarding a child's educational placement.

Parent Mentors provide support, free of charge, to parents in an effort to help them understand the Special Education Process. The district implements this statewide program to encourage a collaborative relationship between school and home. A Parent Mentor is a district employee and also the parent of a child with a disability.

Important Links

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Pupil Services - Olentangy Local School District

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Pupil Services - Olentangy Local School District

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Definition of an IEP from Understood.org

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Definition of an IEP from Understood.org

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How can we help?

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Understood - For Learning and Thinking Differences

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Understood.org is the resource that helps the 70 million people with learning and thinking differences anticipate the challenges, barriers, or opportunities in life and confidently reach their potential.

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Autism Certification Center

ASD Strategies in Action

ASD Strategies in Action offers an innovative approach to online training in evidence-based strategies. Courses provide instruction through videos filmed with educators, service providers, experts, families, and people with ASD in the natural settings of school, home, work, and the community. An introductory course presents the common characteristics of autism and simple strategies. The courses that follow take participants to the next level of understanding with the opportunity to focus on strategies for Toddler and Preschool Age, School Age, or Transition Age individuals.

Autism Internet Modules

Autism Internet Modules (AIM) provide high-quality information and professional development for anyone who supports, instructs, works with, or lives with someone with autism. Developed with partners from across the country, participants can select from over 50 modules to complete at their own time and pace.

Assistive Technology Internet Modules

Assistive Technology Internet Modules (ATIM) is an online learning environment containing 50 AT topics from assessment and funding to content areas such as access to mobile devices, communication, seating and positioning, AT for students with complex needs and more. Developed with partnering universities and nationally renowned experts in the field, ATIM brings you the highest quality content available. Free access as well as professional development certificates and graduate credit are available.

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ohio center for autism and low incidence

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Ohio Center for Autism and Low Incidence

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Ohio Center for Autism and Low Incidence

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Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities

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Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities

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Ohio Coalition for Education of Children with Disabilities works with parents to help them obtain the assistance they need. If you need one-to-one assistance, call (740) 382-5452 or email us at The Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities (OCECD) is a statewide nonprofit organization that serves families of infants, toddlers, children and youth with disabilities in Ohio, educators and agencies who provide services to them.

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As a part Ohio Medicaid's effort to launch the next generation of Medicaid, ODM has launched OhioRISE (Resilience through Integrated Systems and Excellence), a specialized managed care program for youth with complex behavioral health and multisystem needs.

A Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) assessment is needed to help determine a child or youth's eligibility for OhioRISE. CLICK HERE for information about how to obtain a referral for a CANS assessment.

OhioRISE Resources

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OhioRISE (Resilience through Integrated Systems and Excellence)

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As a part Ohio Medicaid's effort to launch the next generation of Medicaid, ODM has launched OhioRISE (Resilience through Integrated Systems and Excellence), a specialized managed care program for youth with complex behavioral health and multisystem needs. A Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) assessment is needed to help determine a child or youth's eligibility for OhioRISE.

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ADHD symptom tests, ADD medication & treatment, behavior & discipline, school & learning essentials, organization and more information for families and individuals living with attention...

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education.ohio.gov

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Definition of Section 504 Plan from Understood.org

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Definition of Section 504 Plan from Understood.org

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A 504 plan is a blueprint for how the school will support a student with a disability and remove barriers to learning. The goal is to give the student equal access at school.

504 plans are formal plans that schools develop to give kids with disabilities the support they need. That covers any condition that limits daily activities in a major way.

504 plans often include accommodations. These can include:

Changes to the environment (like taking tests in a quiet space)

Changes to instruction (like checking in frequently on key concepts)

Changes to how curriculum is presented (like getting outlines of lessons)

Accommodations don't change what kids learn, just how they learn it. The goal is to remove barriers and give kids access to learning.

While it's rare, 504 plans can provide modifications. Unlike accommodations, modifications do change what a student is taught or is expected to learn. Students might get fewer homework assignments, for instance. Or they may be graded in a different way than their classmates.

The process for getting a 504 plan is different, and simpler, than the process for getting an IEP. But it varies from school district to school district

With 504 plans, schools look at information about a student from a few different sources. One source might be a medical diagnosis. Schools might also look at the student's grades, test scores, and teacher recommendations.

Families or schools can request a 504 plan through the school district's 504 coordinator. This person may also be the IEP coordinator. (Ask the principal if you're not sure who to contact.) The request must be in writing. The school will then hold a meeting to decide if the child qualifies and what supports are appropriate.

Legal rights under 504 plans

The 504 process has fewer protections than the special education process. But families can still play an important role by staying involved and making sure kids with disabilities get the same education as kids who don't.

Key takeaways

504 plans are designed to help kids with disabilities learn alongside their peers.

A 504 plan isn't the same as an IEP.

There are fewer safeguards in the 504 plan process than in the IEP process, so it's important to be proactive.

About the author

About the author

The Understood Team is made up of passionate writers and editors. Many of them have kids who learn and think differently.

Reviewed by

Reviewed by

Melody Musgrove, EdD served as director of the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) in the U.S. Department of Education.

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What is a 504 plan? Get a definition of 504 plans and learn about Section 504 services for students in this guide.

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We hear the question often of should a student be on an IEP or a Section 504 Plan. While each decision is made individually, this guide from A Day In Our Shoes illustrates the key differences between a 504 and an IEP.

This table from the Ohio Parent Mentor Project shows the differences between an IEP and a Section 504 Plan.

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Difference Between 504 and IEP

Here are some of the key differences between an IEP (Individualized Education Plan) and a .

IEP vs 504

Those are the basics. But if you need more to consider, or you've been offered one instead of the other, please read on.

504 Plan vs. IEP

Tell me if you've heard this one from your IEP team: "We have to move him to a 504.""

Most importantly, there are no "have-tos." What I mean by that, is that quite often, I hear that parents were told, "We have to move him to a 504."

The reasons for this vary. I've heard everything from losing funding to having passing grades to not being able to get into college. Yes, if your child has either a 504/IEP now, they may very well need a 504 in college. That is something that happens in transition, and should have no bearing on what the child receives now.

What affects what your child receives now, is what they need right now. If they need special education services, then they need an IEP. Sometimes until the day they graduate. They can then still get a 504 after graduation.

What is an IEP Plan vs a 504 Plan?

A 504 Education Plan was never intended to be an "IEP Lite." Yet this is a trend that's been going on for a while. IEPs and 504s are very different documents. And 504s were never intended to be an "IEP Lite." They also were never intended to be a "pre IEP" or a "Let's try a 504 first." Separate. Documents.

But that's what is happening. If you feel you are being talked into this and your gut is telling you otherwise, push back. Request the IEP evaluations.

Avoiding the evaluations, supports and related services that come with an IEP is a cost-cutting measure.

There is already quite a bit out there on the internet about the differences between IEPs and 504s. No need to reinvent the wheel. So I am going to share with you some of the best resources, and highlight their explanations.

504 Plan vs IEP

Key Differences Between Section 504 and IDEA- from Wrightslaw. This one is one of my favorites. Read number 4: Section 504 has fewer procedural safeguards to protect the parent and child. That is essential. Especially with our current political climate and talk of major cuts to the Office of Civil Rights, you want to have as many protections as your child needs.

Here is another brief article from Metro Kids. Very simple, very high level. But, the take away here, is the sentence talking about the ability to learn.

I like this back and forth explanation from Family Connect. It shows you the specific differences in the IEP process and the 504 process. Much less parent participation (and rights thereto) with a 504.

504 vs IEP booklet: This printable booklet is from Disability Rights New Hampshire, and has some great things in it. You'll also see some of the common statements that parents are told regarding 504s. (those have-tos that I mentioned earlier!)

ADDitude also has a free booklet about this that you can download.

504-vs-IEP-booklet

Can you have both an IEP and a 504?

Technically, yes. But there's no reason for it. The New Hampshire Dept of Education states on their website that you cannot have both a 504 and an IEP. I have seen both, and you can also find more information about it on Wrightslaw, who also advises against it.

It just doesn't make sense to have both-to have some protections and some parent participation rights for parts of your child's accommodations, but not all the parts? Make sense? If your child has or needs an IEP, you get an IEP. And, if for some of their disabilities, they only need accommodations, you just list those on the IEP.

Lastly, here is an infographic from a group in New England to check out. Pin it if you'd like! Thanks!

What to do if the school is pushing for 504.

Your choices remain the same. You can ask for another meeting, mediation or due process. Make sure you read your Procedural Safeguards.

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{504 Plan vs. IEP} 6 Important Differences between the two. | A Day In Our Shoes

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Here are some of the key differences between an IEP (Individualized Education Plan) and a . Those are the basics. But if you need more to consider, or you've been offered one instead of the other, please read on.

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Looking for fun activities, camps, or events for your kids or even for the whole family? Check out this list of potential opportunities! Be sure to keep checking back, we will update as new information comes available.

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In October 2023, we hosted a Special Education Resource Series on Multifactored Evaluations and IEP Basics.

Presentation

Video

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Parent and Education Resource Guide to Section 504 Plan

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Parent and Education Resource Guide to Section 504 Plan

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From Ohio Department of Education and Workforce

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The Office of Early Learning and School Readiness aims for families, preschool staff, and the community to work together to meet the needs of young children with disabilities. To meet individual children's needs, districts offer a variety of preschool special education services. Children with disabilities may receive services in public schools, private preschools, or child care centers.

Each child with a disability has an Individualized Education Program, or IEP. Parents, teachers, therapists, and school administrators collaborate to write the IEP. The IEP lists the individual goals for the child and the services the child receives.

Resources

Indicator 6: Least Restrictive Environment (LRE)

Indicator 7: Child Outcomes Summary (COS):

Indicator 12: Early Childhood Transition

Forms

Funding

Reports

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The Office of Early Learning and School Readiness aims for families, preschool staff, and the community to work together to meet the needs of young children with disabilities. To meet individual children's needs, districts offer a variety of preschool special education services. Children with disabilities may receive services in public schools, private preschools, or child care centers.

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Preschool to Kindergarten Transition

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Worried About Your Child's IEP?

We all are.

Go from stressed out to calm and confident with our IEP Advocacy Mini Courses.

Pick the mini course that's right for you-from behavior and IEP data collection, to IEP transition and understanding your parental rights.

Be on your way to better outcomes for your child.

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Welcome to the Don't IEP Alone | A Day in our Shoes community. We have everything you need to navigate school and life with your disabled child.

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Training Sessions for the Post-Secondary Process

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Training Sessions for the Post-Secondary Process

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Ohio Colleges and Universities Disability Resource Directory

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Ohio Colleges and Universities Disability Resource Directory

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From State Support Team 11

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Graduation Decision Making Tool

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Twice Exceptional: Both Gifted and Challenged

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Twice Exceptional: Both Gifted and Challenged

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Twice-Exceptional Kids: Both Gifted and Challenged from the ChildMind Institute

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Before we begin

On a personal note, I absolutely love working with 2e, twice-exceptional kids. I often say, "the more complex the kid, the better", because 2e kids are truly the most interesting people I know. They tend to be intellectually deep, incredibly creative, emotionally intense, quirky, and when they get their educational needs met, they do really cool things as adults. Many of the people who "change the world" were twice-exceptional kids. They're just super cool people, and too many of them fall through the cracks because they are misunderstood.

Adults don't always understand their strengths and/or challenges. In fact, strengths and challenges often mask each other. Consequently, rather than figuring out what these kids need to thrive, they are often shamed with ignorant messages like, "you're lazy", "you don't try hard enough", "you don't care enough about school", "you just need to be more disciplined and motivated". These shame comments don't help, they hurt, and many of these kids internalize the messages and begin to feel like they are not enough, that they are stupid, that they are failures, or that they are broken.

I happen to see these kids as the most important game-changers for creatively solving the world's future problems, and it's particularly important to society as a whole that these kids get the education they need. Now let's dive in...

(btw- you can get the 2e assessment freebie here or you can sign up for my Blog and Student Success Toolkit

What is 2e or Twice Exceptional?

Generally speaking, twice exceptional, or 2e students, are both intellectually gifted & talented and learning disabled. In the education world, giftedness and learning disabilities are both considered "exceptionalities", so the term "twice-exceptional" refers to a student with exceptionalities on both sides of the proverbial bell curve. In a nutshell, if you have a child who you know is smart/bright, but who struggles to show it, they may be 2e. About 5% of kids are 2e.

The '2e' abbreviation - People use the abbreviation "2e" for simplicity. It's used interchangeably with the term "twice-exceptional".

Multi-exceptional - Many professionals, myself included, prefer the term "multi-exceptional" because of how complex these kids are. Labels like 2e can be misleading because there is often a lot more that needs to be considered when planning to meet the complex educational needs of these kids. For example, it's not uncommon to have an intellectually gifted child who has also been diagnosed with ADHD, ASD, processing disorders, and an emotional disorder. Unfortunately, teachers rarely know the full story, and even if they do, they are not always given the time, training or resources they need in order to meet the needs of these kids.

Asynchrony - The #1 key concept to help understand 2e learners is asynchrony, aka dyssynchrony. 2E kids tend to develop quite "asynchronously". They are "all over the place" in terms of grade level ability or age appropriate development. For example, you might have a 6th grader who reads at the 12th-grade level, has the fine-motor handwriting of a 1st grader, writes papers like a 3rd grader, understands math concepts at an 9th-grade level, calculates math facts at a 4th-grade level, can hold remarkably deep conversations with adults, and has temper tantrums like a 3-year-old. You get the picture, the developmental levels of 2e kids aren't "in sync". The discrepancies between "potential" and "output" causes many problems.

I read a lot of neuropsychologist reports and it's not at all uncommon to see a 2e child in the superior range for some metrics and in impaired range for others. For example, a 2e child may be at the 98th %ile for verbal ability, but the 2nd %ile for processing speed. As you can imagine, these discrepancies cause a lot of misunderstandings.

I like to think of asynchrony like an old stereo EQ (see below). Imagine that each slider represents one developmental area. Perhaps one slider represents math, writing, reading, social, emotional, visual-spatial (of course you could break it down into smaller sub-skills if you wanted to). Sliding it up indicates greater ability and down indicates less ability as compared to most peers of a similar age. The image below could describe someone who was "on grade level" since the different domains are all at the same level, they are in sync. Standardized tests for such a child would show average grade level scores (they might be labeled "proficient" on tests). Now imagine an eq for a 2e child where the sliders were all over the place, some average, some very high, some very low. This would represent asynchronous development.

Neuro-typical - When discussing 2e kids, it's good to be familiar with the term "neurotypical" (a word commonly used in ASD circles, originally used to refer to non-ASD people). This word refers to kids who experience "neurologically typical" development cognitively, socially, emotionally. For example, it might be considered neurotypical to learn multiplication tables in 3rd grade or to be able to write a good research paper by high school. Some would argue that neurotypicals compose 80% of kids in the "middle" of the bell curve. 2e kids are, by their very nature, not neurotypical. I sometimes use the term neurotypical to refer to 2e kids or other kids who are outside-the-box learners.

Bell curve - Bell curves can be useful when used properly, but the metaphor of the bell curve can cause a lot of misunderstanding. I want to clarify how I think of it so you can have a better understanding to help your kids. The bell curve below is called the "normal bell curve" and the world normally carries a lot of baggage. The problem is that if there are "normal" people than there are "abnormal" people, and that frame can carry a lot of hurtful judgment. I have seen way too many kids who feel like they are broken, who feel like there is something wrong with them, and those feelings can cause a lot of trauma. I wanted to mention this because it's important that we are careful about the messages we send.

3-d Bell Curve - I think of the normal bell curve as being limited and one-dimensional. In other words, it doesn't give me nearly enough information about the complexities that make up students. These are human beings with incredibly complex and rich personalities and learning needs. Therefore, I like to think of these metrics as parts of 3-d bells, with countless interrelated qualities. Imagine that you could look at this bell from hundreds of angles to get perspective on various relevant aspects of these kids. It's so much more interesting and useful.

Identification: How do I know if my child is 2E or Twice Exceptional?

It's critical for parents and teachers to have clarity regarding their Twice Exceptional students because a failure to understand them can have devastating effects. Also, as stated above, adults who don't understand 2e often use shaming words that are damaging, sending misinformed messages that these kids are lazy, don't care about school or don't try hard enough.

Testing for intelligence and learning disabilities - 2e students are "smart but struggling", so if this describes your child, you should explore this until you feel clear about what's going on. Generally, parents have a gut feeling about this sort of thing, but many families find clarity through getting professional testing done by a neuropsychologist or other diagnostician who tests for giftedness and learning problems. Schools may also provide testing in order to see if they will offer services.

When parents ask me to refer to someone for testing, the most important factor I consider is how well the diagnostician consults with a family after testing. For example, my favorite neuoropsychologist in Colorado spends a great deal of time with families afterwards so they leave with all of their questions thoroughly answered. I've seen too many families come to me with an overwhelming 10-page report that they don't even know how to read. What good is paying for testing when you don't understand the results?

Common tests you can research - WISC IV, WAIS III, Stanford Binet, Woodcock-Johnson, DAS, UNIT, Ravens Progressive Matrices, NNAT, K-TEA/NU.

Discrepancies - The difference between what a child should be able to do and their actual execution causes a great deal of problems for these kids. Adults often say things like, "he's got so much potential, I don't know why he doesn't try harder?!?!". These kids are trying, but it's often masked. These kids are working very hard using their strengths, abstract reasoning abilities, and intelligence to compensate for their weaknesses, so they are often misunderstood. Unfortunately, the opposite is often true, their challenges can mask their gifts.

Common Learning Disabilities, Differences or Challenges

Don't let the stigma of the word "disabled" (dis-able) scare you, because what's most important is that you know the truth about your child's abilities and needs. Even when there is no formal diagnosis, parents often have an intuition about their child's "gifts" and "disabilities." Here are some common differences to look out for:

Dyslexia

Dysgraphia - writing disability

Dyscalculia - math disability

Processing disorders (sensory - visual, auditory, CAPD)

ASD, Aspergers, Autism

Dyspraxia, Sensory integration, fine motor problems

Dysphasia - problems understanding language

Speech & language

ADHD, attentional, executive function

TBI Traumatic Brain Injury

Emotional disorders, mood disorders, depression, bipolar, anxiety, OCD, etc.

Physical disabilities

Types of Gifts to consider

It does not have to be "book smarts," there are many ways a child can be gifted:

IQ, GT is often thought of as 130+, 160+ is often considered profoundly gifted

Academically - math, science, language arts, etc.

Artistically - art, music, dance, etc.

Kinesthetically, Athletically

Verbal ability

Visual-spatial

Problem-solving ability, original, unique ideas

Abstract thinking, flexible thinking, highly creative, insightful

Gardner's Multiple Intelligences: musical, interpersonal, intrapersonal, logical-mathematical, linguistic, naturalistic, visual-spatial, bodily/kinesthetic

Asks unusually deep questions, High-level thinking

Intuitive or spiritual, "indigo kids"

Unusually observant in strength areas, learns very quickly in strength areas

Can communicate in a very mature way (sometimes being incredibly immature at other times)

Enjoys intellectual challenge

Advanced sense of humor

Remembers a lot of details easily

Crave learning and intellectual stimulation

What are common challenges facing 2e learners

Here's a list of common problems these leaners face. It is by no means a comprehensive list, but should adequately shed some light on the issue.

They fall through the cracks, don't get their needs met, waste years of their adult lives "finding themselves"

People who don't understand 2E learners often use ignorant statements like this: "He's just being lazy", "She's not trying her best", "He doesn't care enough about school", "What a shame, she's got so much potential", "He needs to be more motivated and disciplined."

Compensatory strategies that these kids use can mask the gifts or the legitimate learning differences/disabilities ("masking" can even lead to NOT being diagnosed)

Discrepancies between strengths and challenge areas can negatively affect how these kids are perceived

Low grades can mask true ability

Misperceived as not "gifted enough" for GT services and not "struggling enough" for SPED services, therefore do not get the support they need

Spend a ton of time and energy to process and do work as compared with peers and often get lower grades regardless of effort

Schools don't keep up with the research on 2e and don't train teachers adequately to serve them

These kids are often bored, they learn fast and when a school doesn't accelerate curriculum, these kids disengage

They can be sick of things that feel like pointless busywork and refuse to do homework

They often thrive with different aged peers but are kept with same-age peers because of "grade level"

Can't take advanced class because they are "underachieving", causing more boredom and resistance

Pull out programs may not be adequate

Pullouts may make them feel different since they are being pulled out of class (middle schoolers hate to look different)

Sometimes kids in pullout programs still have to make up "missed" work

Sometimes there are no accommodations whatsoever, often when there has been no identification or while they are going through an RTI process that drags out

Processing information at incredibly fast speeds but output ability is incredibly slow

Not using accommodations

Accommodations not articulated meaningfully to make a difference for the student

Teachers unaware of accommodations or disregard them

Teachers not adequately trained to differentiate for all learners

2e learners feeling broken or like something is wrong with them

2e learners NOT having opportunities to build upon their strengths / too much emphasis on weaknesses (strength-based education)

Never tested at all

Overexcitabilities, sensory, emotional (see Dabrowski)

Have to "do what everyone else does" even though it isn't working for them

Deficits can shadow gifts: often, there is a lot of emphasis on how they are NOT performing, they can't shine,

Diagnosis - as you can imagine, these kids can be difficult to diagnose. When kids take tests, many factors can influence the results in both directions, including processing, compensation, intuition. Under-diagnosis, over-diagnosis, misdiagnosis, no diagnosis

They can learn to resent school and learning particularly after middle school begins.

May not "look" gifted

Standardized test problems

The can internalize shame and feel bad about themselves

They don't know the value of their strengths

They don't develop gifts/talents/strengths

They don't feel capable

Don't know how to advocate for themselves, how to articulate what they need

How can parents and teachers support and empower 2e learners

Use education (and life experiences) to build upon their strengths, gifts, talents, interests, passions

Don't put too much emphasis working on weaknesses. There's a time and a place to do this, but it should be done mindfully.

Create project based lessons based on interests, that give students ownership and choice in their learning

Use experiential learning experiences

Use authentic forms of assessment

Get rid of assessments that do not measure what we are looking for

Get rid of pointless busywork

Rethink homework all together and only give homework when there is a real purpose

Understand what the research says about the value of homework (hint: it's not nearly as valuable as you might think and interferes with much needed family, social and play time)

Alternate product possibilities based on student choice, don't just do tests and papers for assessment

Provide alternate options for how kids process knowledge

Support social and emotional needs

Coach EF skills, like how to chunk studying, how to use a planner, organize, etc..

Teach HOW to learn, not just what to learn

Build independence

Differentiate: Scaffold the curriculum. Accelerate curriculum to keep pace with learning. Compress curriculum,

Teach self-care

Catch em' being good, celebrate even small successes

Provide kids with great role models, older peers who can guide them

Make sure that documented accommodations actually work! They should be carefully and thoughtfully articulated so they effectively communicate to teachers what is needed. I cannot tell you how many times I've seen accommodations that are unclear and thus meaningless. Also, the older kids get, the less their teachers know about their accommodations, so advocacy is critical.

Expose them to a diverse range of experiences to expose them to many areas where passions may develop

Plan experiences that allow them to explore their curiosities

Allow them to use their imaginations regularly to explore learning

Dynamic assessment, performance assessment

Ideas for teachers and parents they can post

Use adequate wait time. Be patient and let them process their thoughts instead of expecting quick responses.

Give honest compliments and praise... Often.

Actively listen to your children: Ask "what do you think? Why, why, why?" Really listen.

Design creatively differentiated curriculum

Interdisciplinary learning experiences teaching holistic approaches

Make learning RELEVANT, meaningful, make it matter, give them experiences they care about.

Make clear expectations, in writing so it's concrete and not abstract.

Learn to coregulate emotionally

Challenging work

Don't focus too much on memorizing facts, worry about teaching how to think

Reconsider what "achievement" means

Educating teachers and parents about 2e

Advocacy, stick up for these kids (and all kids of course)

Do your own deep, inner work. The more you take care of you, the more you can support your child

Know your legal rights, make sure your child is properly identified and that they have effective documentation to support their needs. This may include ALPs ILPs IEPs RTI 504 Documentation (see IDEA)

Avoidance & Resistance

Another giant issue to consider is avoidance, and it deserves it's own section here. It's can be very difficult to help children when they seem unmotivated, when they avoid, when they are overwhelmed, stressed, anxious, withdrawn, push you away, and when they resist help. Their emotional overwhelm is so great that they have created many tools designed to avoid the perceived stress of dealing with these issues.

Be sensitive to these issues and consider a good coach or therapist to help deal with the underlying emotions so your child can learn to break through this avoidance and start to have more successes.

Executive Function

As you might have guessed, 2e kids often struggle with Executive Function. Often times, because they have trouble with "execution", their grades do not reflect their abilities. Problems with EF/execution include problems with organization, time management, planning, prioritizing, focus, reflective thinking, emotional regulation, and .

Processing Disorders

In my experience, processing issues cause seem to cause most of the misunderstandings. In other words, adults seem to confuse processing issues with some sort of willfulness, and this causes a lot of damage to students. When a student has trouble processing information, but the adult doesn't know that this is going on under the surface, it can look like the student is not trying, isn't paying attention, is being lazy, isn't motivated, etc..

Final thoughts

When giftedness is noticed and learning differences are not, adults often blame problems on laziness, not trying, low self-esteem, unmotivated rather than noticing how the disability affects the learner.

When the disability is acknowledged without noticing the giftedness, adults tend to focus on weaknesses rather than strengths.

When unidentified, this is the grey area. Perhaps worst scenario of all, the most misunderstood of the 2e kids, they compensate "too well", and the "two exceptionalities" hide one another.

Ideally, there is clarity regarding gifts and challenges so that we may design learning experiences that are appropriately challenging and supportive. Our educational culture is usually looking for easy ways to teach and measure, but kids are complex, and 2e kids are extraordinarily complex. We simply cannot rely on cookie-cutter curriculum to meet the diverse needs of these learners. There is no quick fix or magic bullet. Educating these kids requires a real investment in time and energy to creating engaging and meaningful learning experiences.

2e Twice-Exceptional Assessment Tool

Download and print my informal assessment below. It will help you gain a much better understanding of your child.

Great Links to 2e & Twice-Exceptional Resources

1. is a great website/blog with tons of excellent free articles. It's probably the best resource out there and I definitely recommend subscribing.

2. SENG Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted - a classic site got GT families

3. Hoagies Gifted Site is one of the best sites out there about gifted learners. It's a classic.

4. is a well-known 2e school in Studio City, CA.

5. is a great site for homeschool families and they have an excellent 2e resource.

6. The National Center for Learning Disabilities is the place to go to understand your rights as a parent of a 2e child.

7. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a law ensuring educational services to children with disabilities. IDEA is good for parents and teachers to become familiar with.

Below, please share what 2e means to YOU! Thanks, Seth
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Video transcript:
Parents and teachers, what's up? I'm here to answer an important question for you. What is 2E? What is 2e? What is twice-exceptional? What is a twice-exceptional student? What is a twice-exceptional learner? What is a twice-exceptional kid? Let me start off by telling you that I am biased because my favorite students work with are twice-exceptional students. I just think they're amazing and I think that their potential is absolutely incredible. And what I mean by that is that these are students that have some of the quirkiest, most creative, most interesting brains I've ever seen. I'm also biased because I happen to think that these are the kids that are going to make the most important impacts in terms of solving the world's current and upcoming problems as they as they grow up. One of the problems that we have with kids is that they can slip through the cracks, which means that these kids with incredible potential, not only for them being able to contribute to their friends, families, and communities, but for them to be able to contribute on a global level. If these kids don't get their needs met, if they are not seen for their strengths, if they fall through the cracks, they will not achieve their potential. Not only does that hurt them, but it quite literally affects the entire planet, in my opinion.

So anyway, what is 2E or twice-exceptional. A 2e student, or a 2e learner, or a 2e kid is somebody who has two exceptionalities. In the education world, giftedness is considered an exceptionality as are learning disabilities. So a 2e student is somebody who is, on the one hand, gifted and talented and on the other hand, has some sort of learning disability or learning challenged. So you put them together and you got two exceptionalities. Now, you're probably thinking what if there are three exceptionalities, or 4 or 5, and that is a very valid question and that is called multi exceptionality and I prefer that word because human beings are extremely complex. Anyhow, and twice-exceptional kids are even more complex. I'll get into that in just a minute. Real quick, the terms 2e and twice-exceptional are interchangeable. They both mean the exact same thing. Maybe 3 to 5% of all students are twice-exceptional.

The number one most important concept to understand when thinking about 2e or twice-exceptional kids is this concept called asynchrony. Our world, in this world of standardization and standardized tests, in the education world that so dependent on highly manufactured curriculum, in a world that's so obsessed with collecting data in order to understand students. People don't talk about asynchrony because we think of students as being these standardized beings that 'should' perform at certain levels depending on their age or grade. Don't get me wrong, there are developmental tendencies. Most students tend to be at a certain level in Reading, Writing, Math, Science, Social Studies, Speech, Language. etc at certain grade levels. So we tend to think of students as learning and developing synchronously at predictable developmental levels. However, many students and don't develop synchronously. They don't meet the standards at the exact same times. They're either above or below grade level. Very few students are at grade level in all subjects. So really most students are fairly asynchronous anyway, but one of the characteristics of gifted and talented students, I'm not talking about 2e students yet, I'm just talking about your typical gifted and talented students. One of their characteristics is that they tend to develop asynchronously, anyhow, meaning that they're not following the standards. So if you were to look at different metrics like Math, Science, Social Studies, Reading, Writing, you can even look at metrics like social skills, emotional skills metacognitive ability, musical talents, physical talent, you can look at any metrics you choose but gifted kids tend to be more all over the place. But your typical gifted student will be above grade average in most things typically.

Now, there's a lot of nuance around types of gifted and talented students. In fact, George Betts talks about six different types, I'm not getting into that here, but typically you can think of your gifted students as being strong in multiple subject areas. Now, 2e student is what I would call 'super asynchronous.' They are very all over the place. They develop very asynchronously. They may be an 8th grader who is reading at college-level, writing at 3rd-grade level, maybe they're in 10th-grade level in math, maybe there at the 6th-grade level for science. Maybe they're extremely immature when it becomes too emotional handling things that don't go their way, but extremely mature when it comes to having very very high-level conversations with adults about certain topics. Maybe these kids are extraordinarily off the charts talented in certain areas and their other areas were you just baffled and you're saying " I don't understand why this child is struggling so much in this particular thing." So asynchrony is a key, key, key when understanding twice-exceptional kids. These kids are super asynchronous, they're all over the place. There's a term called neurotypical, a neurotypical is what you would consider your general typical learners. These kids that learn asynchronously, these twice-exceptional kids are neuroatypical, they don't learn and think and feel typically, they're all over the place. So if you're to look at a bell curve in terms of different domains again, in terms of math science, social, emotional, etc and you were to look at it a bell curve in terms of any domain you wanted to examine, you would see that there are people in the middle of the bell curve. The outliers are where 2e kids fit. Be the very definition 2e kids are outliers or they are super outliers. They're outliers in many different domains. How do you know if a student is twice-exceptional or not? The most important thing to know is that there's a lot of misunderstanding around this. There's a lot of over-diagnosis, underdiagnosis, misdiagnosis, misunderstanding, and misinterpretation. So you have to be really careful when you're looking at these things having said, that testing is a great way to do it. You can test for various learning disabilities, you can test for giftedness, etc. A neuropsych is someone who does a wide range of testing, so neuropsychologists do really deep intense tests so that they can get a really deep understanding of all the various aspects of a student. You can also try to figure out if your student is to 2e by listing to your gut. A lot of times parents and teachers know in their gut. " Hey, there's something going on with this kid. I think they might be twice-exceptional." So a lot of times that's a great way to know. You probably just know. Now, you're looking at gifts and you're looking at challenges, and one of the biggest problems that 2e kids face is the discrepancies between their gifts and their challenges. If you have a student this often happens, where there have really incredible verbal ability. These are the kids who can have an adult conversation about a really deep topic in the adult is just going, " Holy cow, this kid is brilliant, and then they can't turn in their homework week after week and they're failing four out of six classes." The discrepancy between executive function and verbal ability is so big that adults are often baffled. They're saying, " I don't understand why the student is failing. It doesn't make sense to me. I know they're smart. I know they're bright. So why is this happening? " And then it gets very convoluted and then we tend to think, okay well this kid must not be trying hard enough. They must not be applying themselves, they must be lazy, they must not care about school, and all these different stories that are based on misunderstanding. So that's one of the biggest challenges with 2e kids is the discrepancy. The discrepancy can be a challenge in another way to and then that is when the disabilities outshine the abilities or the gifts and gifts are not even noticed. This can happen too and then these kids are off and put into remedial classes that may not be appropriate and etc. etc. They're all kinds of other problems that happen with this. But the point is is that a lot of problems with these kids are because of the discrepancies and the confusion that these discrepancies cause adults.

Some common disabilities will be dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, ADHD, autism, Asperger's, speech and language issues, attention issues, executive function issues, brain injury issues, concussions, emotional disorders, depression, anxiety, bipolar, etc. Now some of the gifts that they can have is that they can having a high IQ, they can be artistically gifted, they can be athletically gifted, socially gifted, incredible verbal ability, visuospatial ability, mathematically gifted, great with abstract thinking, problem-solving, they ask ridiculously weird and deep and interesting questions, they're incredibly observant in certain strength areas. They love an intellectual challenge in their strength area. They think can be really funny and have a really deep interesting sense of humor, a really unusual sense of humor. They can remember tons of detailed very easily in certain areas and they can just crave stimulation and learning.

Now, as I said before, these kids face a lot of challenges. One of the biggest challenges is that these kids can fall through the cracks. Another challenge is that these kids are often misperceived as being lazy, not caring, not trying, not working hard enough and this can cause a lot of shame. Shame is very internally damaging. These kids can have low-grade which masks their ability. Other challenges that schools often have is that they don't understand 2e, they're not doing training for the teachers on 2e. So these teachers don't even know that they have 2e students in their class, and if they do they really don't know what to do with them or don't know enough about it. The schools are not equipped to handle that. These kids are off and bored and this causes tons of other problems. Sometimes these kids are performing well enough that they can't get the services that they want. They're not struggling enough, even though they desperately need services and parents see it and teachers see it but they can't make it happen because of the bureaucracy and hoops that schools have to jump through. Sometimes pull-out programs can make them feel different. Sometimes these kids are never tested at all and nobody ever finds out that they're 2e.

There's a term called overexciteabilities, which means that these kids can be highly sensitive. They can be sensitive with their senses, smell, touch, taste, vision, hearing but they can also be sensitive emotionally and this can be a great strength, but it can also cause a lot of problems. Their deficits can often overshadow their strengths and their strengths can often overshadow their deficits. They can be difficult to diagnose properly and accurately. These kids often aren't aware of their strengths and their strengths are often not built upon. Oftentimes their weaknesses are so focused on that they start to feel bad about themselves. Standardized tests often don't tell the whole picture of what's going on with kids and these kids off and don't even know how to advocate for themselves. They really don't know what to say. They're not even aware that they're 2e or that the term even exist a lot of times. But there is a lot that you can do as parents and teachers to help support these kids.

One of the things that you can do is help build upon their gifts and their talents and their passions. These are the things that they're going to create careers out of anyhow when they get older. So the more you can build on that whether a teacher or a parent the better. Beware of how much emphasis you put on the challenges are the weaknesses. While it's important to address these things just make sure it's in balance. Project-based lessons for teachers are a great way to allow them to have ownership in choice, in buy-in in the assignments that they're doing so that they can really take it and run with it in a way that's congruent with who they are and what their strengths are. This means that you're going to have to let go of some of the more traditional curricula and find creative ways to build these things into your classroom. Using more experiential learning helps them and also using authentic forms of assessment rather than traditional scores and grades are very important. Authentic assessments are going to give you real feedback, a real understanding of the growth and learning that they're making rather than just giving them a letter grade or a number grade. It's going to give you actual feedback. Being very careful to get rid of pointless busywork, things that actually are not benefiting them, learning about compacting and acceleration in terms of teaching, rethinking homework altogether, and making sure that any homework that is given really has a real purpose, a meaningful purpose for these kids. And for all kids, of course. Give these kids and all kids alternate ways of process. There's content process and product process, the product is how you show your learning, give them other ways of showing their learning than just the typical ones the typical ways of showing learning are tests, papers, and your old school projects. Make sure to support their social-emotional needs, coach them in executive function. The biggest problem that these kids have, the biggest problem that really affects their lives and impacts them negatively is that they struggle with executive function.

All 2e kids who struggle in school struggle with executive function in some way shape or form, so learn about executive function and helping coach them with executive function stuff is critical for these kids. That's probably the number one thing I have to say about how we can support them. Teach them how to learn, not just what to learn. Make sure to teach them self care and catch 'em being good. Use the 3-1 rule, find three positives to every one perceive negative you're going to use with them. Really find the things they're doing well and reinforce those over and over and over and over. Don't focus too much on what they're not doing right, focus mostly way mostly, on what they are doing right, on their effort, not the outcome but the effort. They desperately need that. Give them great role models, older kids that can help them, or teachers that take an interest in them, or relatives that take an interest in them. Parents and teachers, be sure to document interventions that are working, accommodations that work. Keep track of these so that you can communicate these easily from year to year from the new teachers'. Exposure. Give them exposure to a wide range of things that they can learn about of experiences that they can have so that they can really try on a lot of different things to develop their strengths and interests and passions and talents. Learn to co-regulate. So learn about your own emotional regulation so that you can co-regulate and help them when they're nervous system is out of whack so that you're more attuned to where they're at in their nervous system is that you can help them to regulate when they start to become dysregulated. Advocate for these kids, be the squeaky wheel when there is a need don't stop advocating for these kids. They really need you.

Now, one of the other biggest problems that these students have, the 2w kids have is resistance and avoidance. Resistance, resistance, resistance. " I don't want to, I don't feel like it this is stupid. This is dumb. I don't care. I'm a failure. I'm just lazy, " whatever the story is they resist, they have stories that help them to not take actions, to not execute, to not use executive function to do things they don't want to do, whether it's because they think it's pointless busywork, whether they're just exhausted emotionally, whatever. So resistance is a huge thing to deal with. It is outside the scope of this video but I just want you to know that resistance is a huge characteristic of to 2e kids and a huge issue that you have to contend with in order to help them be successful. You want to approach it in a really positive, honest, and open way. Finally, we really need, literally, I'm not trying to be cheesy here, the world needs 2e kids. We need them to develop their strengths. They have a very very very unique perspective and approach to life, to thinking, to problem-solving. We need them to develop their strengths and their talents and their passions and their interests. We need them to feel good about who they are, as a culture, as a world we need them. But also just for themselves to have a great quality of life. To be able to self-actualize, to be able to feel happy and successful. That's what we really want for our kids. So, I hope this video helped you, if you like it please click thumbs-up subscribe to my YouTube channel. Share this with somebody and have a great day and take some positive action for the 2e kids you know. Take care.

Please CLICK below to share.

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IS MY CHILD 2e or TWICE EXCEPTIONAL-The Ultimate Guide

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Parents & Teachers- 2e or Twice Exceptional students are complex kids who are GIFTED & HAVE LEARNING CHALLENGES (adhd, asd, dyslexia, executive function etc

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From Understood.org, understand the basic differences between accommodations and modifications in an IEP.

Table

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A Family's Guide to Engagement from the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce

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Olentangy Parent Mentor's Book Lending Library

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Olentangy Parent Mentor's Book Lending Library

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Coming Soon

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Accommodations vs Modifications from Olentangy Intervention Coaches

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Accommodations vs Modifications from Olentangy Intervention Coaches

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Our Olentangy Intervention Coaches held an Intervention staff training session on accommodations vs modifications. This slide from the training gives us a great quick snapshot into the differences in both things and when to use them.

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From Ohio Department of Education and Workforce

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Ohio’s Kindergarten Readiness Assessment | Ohio Department of Education

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Special Education Acronyms from A Day in Our Shoes

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Special Education Acronyms from A Day in Our Shoes

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Check out this resource for more information about our children with autism. The College Autism Network links varied stakeholders engaged in evidence-guided efforts to improve access, experiences, and outcomes for postsecondary students with autism.

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College Autism Network - College Autism Network (CAN)

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College Autism Network links varied stakeholders engaged in evidence-guided efforts to improve access, experiences, & outcomes for autistic college students.

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https://fcfc.co.delaware.oh.us/

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Answer:

The short answer is there are no IEPs or 504 plans in college. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the law that provides students with IEPs, no longer applies to them once they graduate from high school.

abogar por sí mismo of 1973 still protects students from discrimination when they get to college. However, they won't get a 504 plan like they had in high school. In other words, a your daughter's 504 plan doesn't "travel" with her to college.

Students can still receive accommodations in college, though. Colleges have to provide accommodations under Section 504. You aren't likely to hear many colleges use the term "504 plan," though.

The disability service model at college is very different from the one high-schoolers (and their parents) are used to. Colleges tend to offer different types of support. That's why it's important to learn as much as you can about disability services in college.

For example, the process of requesting and receiving accommodations in college is not the same as in high school. Colleges may also vary in their requirements for documentation. Another big difference between high school and college is that your child has to seek out the supports that colleges offer.

It's also important for your daughter to understand her learning or thinking differences and be able to talk about them. That's one reason why it's important for your daughter to work on self-advocacy skills in high school. (Having your child attend IEP meetings can help with this. You may also want to ask the IEP team to include self-advocacy goals in your child's IEP.)

There's one other thing I want to mention related to your question about supports in college. Unlike high schools, colleges are not allowed to send progress reports to parents unless students give permission for them to do this. When you're talking with your child about college, it might be a good idea to encourage her to give the college permission to keep you in the loop.

Watch an expert talk about why students should take the lead in finding a college.

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Are there IEPs and 504 plans in college?

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If your teen has an IEP or a 504 plan, will those accommodations be available in college? An expert explains.

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Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities

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Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities

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Independent Living - Transition to Life After High School - PACER Center

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Wherever and however you picture yourself living someday, you can learn more about independent living skills in the video collections.

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Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities (OCECD) Brochure

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Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities (OCECD) Brochure

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Regional Brochure with contact information

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Things to know

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7 things to know about college disability services

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When kids go off to college, will their accommodations from high school go with them? Find out what you need to know about disability services in college.

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@adhd_understood

@neurodivergent_insights

@adhd_love_

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For Novice drivers with diagnosis such as spina bifida, cerebral palsy, autism, and attention deficit hyperactive disorder

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Rehabilitation Driving Program | Ohio State Medical Center

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Here’s some information I wanted to share with you about The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center physical medicine and rehabilitation programs.

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Ohio Hands & Voices is dedicated to supporting families with children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing without a bias around communication modes or methodology.

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ohio hands & voices mission

Ohio Hands & Voices is dedicated to supporting families with children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing without a bias around communication modes or methodology. We're a parent-driven, non-profit organization providing families with the resources, networks, and information they need to improve communication access and educational outcomes for their children. Our outreach activities, parent/professional collaboration, and advocacy efforts are focused on enabling Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing children to reach their highest potential.

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" What works for your child is what makes the choice right."

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DSC’s mission is to empower the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Deaf-Blind and to promote access to communication, services and events in the community.

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DSC | Columbus 215 N. Front St., Suite 240Columbus, OH 43215communityresources@dsc.org (614) 841-1991 V…

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18 Best Productivity Apps for Students 2025 (Free & Easy to Use) - The Upbase Blog

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Here are 18 best productivity apps for students from various categories: task management, collaboration, etc. All of them are free. Read on!

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No Parent Should Feel Alone. Ever.

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Support for Parents of Children with Disabilities

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At Parent to Parent USA, when someone asks what we do, we say we empower and support parents, nationwide.

Why? Because we understand being a parent of a child with special needs can be a challenge - we've been there!

The journey is filled with hills and valleys and sometimes feels a little overwhelming. So, we're driven to ensure no parent feels alone. Ever.

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Home - Support for Parents of Children with Disabilities

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Parent to Parent USA provides emotional & informational support for families of children who have special needs.

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Use this site to search for potential day care and wrap around services.

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Find Quality Rated Early Care and Education | Ohio Child Care Search

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Use this search tool to find quality child care and education in Ohio. See each program’s Step Up To Quality star rating, licensing status, and inspection results.

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Free tutoring services for those that qualify.

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One-On-One Tutoring For Students With Developmental Disabilities | Learning Aid Ohio

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Learning Aid Ohio empowers students with developmental disabilities through tailored tutoring services that support their Individualized Education Programs (IEP). Serving over 4,256 students across 79 counties, we provide grants for one-on-one sessions and unique learning support. Join us in making a difference and explore how to get involved, either as a learner or tutor. Apply or donate today to help us continue providing essential educational support!

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A screenshot of the first page of the presentation.

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The Transition Process for 5th to 6th Grade Students with IEPs and Section 504 Plans

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The Transition Process for 5th to 6th Grade Students with IEPs and Section 504 Plans

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Presentation

Video

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A screenshot of the first page of the presentation.

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The Transition Process for 8th to 9th Grade Students with IEPs and Section 504 Plans

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The Transition Process for 8th to 9th Grade Students with IEPs and Section 504 Plans

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Presentation

Video

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Check this image out for more information about what is an IEP or a Section 504 Plan. How are they similar and different?

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An Ohio Guide for Deaf or Hard of Hearing Support

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An Ohio Guide for Deaf or Hard of Hearing Support

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From the OCALI Outreach Center for Deafness and Blindness

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The Outreach Center for Deafness and Blindness

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Your Child’s Journey: An Ohio Guide for Deaf or Hard of Hearing Support

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Explore this clear, supportive guide to help you learn more about communication and language access, understand available options, and navigate Ohio’s education and health systems with confidence.

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Ever wonder what you should keep from all the documents associated with your IEP? We assembled some helpful tips.

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International OCD Foundation

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Summer Resources, Day Camp & Overnight Camp ideas from Ohio State Support Team 11

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Summer Resources, Day Camp & Overnight Camp ideas from Ohio State Support Team 11

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Emily Kircher-Morris (author and Podcast host)

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Emily Kircher-Morris (author and Podcast host)

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EKM Counseling provides counseling and therapy for children, teenagers, adults, and families in the St. Louis and St. Charles area.

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A Day in Our Shoes provides a list of accommodations that might help with Executive Functioning.

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Printable List of Executive Functioning Accommodations for an IEP or 504 Plan

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If your child is struggling with executive function disorder, here are some accommodation and strategies to add to your IEP or 504 plan.

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Transitioning to College for Students with Disabilities

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Transitioning to College for Students with Disabilities

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Whether you are a student preparing to take the lead in advocating for your needs or a family member looking to support your child, this guide will help you understand what to expect and how to make the most of available resources.

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Going from high school to college is exciting but can also feel overwhelming, especially for students with disabilities and their families. College life brings new academic expectations, social opportunities, and independence, and the way support is provided often changes dramatically from what students experienced in high school.

This guide is designed to make that transition smoother by offering clear, practical advice. You will learn about the key differences between high school and college disability services, steps to prepare during high school, and resources tailored to specific disabilities. Additionally, we provide answers to common questions from families and students about postsecondary programs and services, so you can feel confident navigating the next stage of education.

In This Article:

1. Key Differences Between High School and College Disability Services

2. Preparing During High School: Step-by-Step

3. Resources by Type of Disability

4. Frequently Asked Questions (PACER)

5. Final Thoughts

Whether you are a student preparing to take the lead in advocating for your needs or a family member looking to support your child, this guide will help you understand what to expect and how to make the most of available resources.

1. Key Differences Between High School and College Disability Services

Transitioning from high school to college is a big step for any student, and for students with disabilities, understanding how support works in college is essential. While high schools provide a structured environment where the school is responsible for ensuring accommodations, colleges operate differently.

Academic Accommodations

In high school, students receive a free appropriate public education (FAPE), which includes accommodations written into IEPs or 504 Plans. Teachers and staff are generally proactive in providing support.

Colleges provide "reasonable accommodations" but are not required to provide FAPE. This means students need to initiate requests, provide documentation, and follow up with disability services offices.

Disclosure

In high school, support is generally provided without the student needing to advocate for it constantly.

In college, students must self-disclose their disability to receive accommodations. This is a personal choice, but without disclosure, students will not receive formal support.

Self-Advocacy

Colleges expect students to communicate their needs, schedule meetings, and manage accommodations independently. Building self-advocacy skills is essential before graduation from high school.

Students' Rights

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act protect students from discrimination.

Colleges cannot deny admission or educational opportunities solely because of a disability.

Students have the right to reasonable accommodations, accessible facilities, and non-discriminatory practices in housing and programs.

2. Preparing During High School: Step-by-Step

Early preparation helps students move confidently into college life. Here's a practical roadmap.

Step 1: Gather Important Documents

IEP or 504 Plan

Recent evaluations (psychological, educational, or medical)

Documentation of standardized test accommodations

Having these on hand ensures colleges have the necessary information to provide support efficiently.

Step 2: Ask Key Questions

What accommodations are available in classes and testing?

How does the disability services office handle requests?

Are peer mentoring or social support programs available?

What technology or assistive devices are supported?

Step 3: Build Essential Skills

Self-advocacy: Practice requesting help, explaining needs clearly, and following up when necessary.

Time management: Use planners, calendars, and reminder systems to manage coursework and deadlines.

Study strategies: Develop note-taking, reading comprehension, and organizational techniques.

Rights Awareness

Students should know they are entitled to equal access, reasonable accommodations, and accessible housing if provided to non-disabled peers. This knowledge allows them to advocate effectively and confidently.

3. Resources by Type of Disability

ADHD

ADHD, or Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, is a condition that affects focus, impulse control, and organization. In college, students with ADHD may find it challenging to manage assignments independently or stay on top of deadlines. Support can include structured schedules, quiet testing spaces, and extended time on exams.

Organizations like CHADD provide strategies for self-advocacy and academic success, while the National Resource Center on ADHD offers healthcare information, study tips, and answers to common parenting questions. The Attention Deficit Disorder Association lists college resources and networking opportunities. Tools such as Priority Matrix can help with task management, and platforms like ADHD & You provide study tips and guidance tailored to students.

Learning Disabilities

Learning disabilities, such as dyslexia, dyscalculia, or dysgraphia, affect how a person processes information, which can impact reading, writing, or math. Transitioning to college may be difficult because students need to develop independent study strategies and access tools like note-taking support or assistive technology.

Resources like LD Online and the National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD) offer guidance for study strategies, academic accommodations, and planning for success. The Learning Disabilities Association of America provides parent- and student-driven resources, including information on advocacy and educational rights. The DO-IT Center at the University of Washington focuses on technology and empowerment programs for students with learning differences.

For students with dyslexia specifically, the International Dyslexia Association shares research, tutoring contacts, and resources for academic language assistance. Online tools like Ginger (grammar and sentence rephrasing support) and Dyslexia Connect (virtual tutoring programs) can also help students manage college-level coursework effectively.

Visual Impairments

Students with visual impairments may have partial or total vision loss, which can affect reading and navigating campus independently. College may require accessible textbooks, screen readers, braille materials, and orientation to campus layout.

The American Foundation for the Blind provides guidance on assistive technology, while Accessible Media Services offers textbooks in braille or audio format. Apps like Be My Eyes connect visually impaired students with volunteers for live visual assistance. The American Council of the Blind offers scholarships, advocacy, and updates on accessible schools, while Family Connect supports parents and students with information about testing and accommodations.

Hearing Impairments

Hearing impairments range from partial to total hearing loss, affecting communication and participation in standard classroom settings. College students may need captioning, sign language interpreters, or assistive listening devices to fully engage in lectures and group discussions.

The National Association of the Deaf offers guidance for transitioning to college, and the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf helps locate qualified interpreters. The Center for Hearing and Communication provides resources on hearing technology and solutions, while the Starkey Hearing Foundation offers hearing aids and global support programs. HandSpeak provides free sign language learning tools, and Gallaudet University is a leading institution for deaf and hard-of-hearing students.

Mobility / Physical Disabilities

Mobility or physical disabilities include conditions that affect movement or strength, such as spinal cord injuries or cerebral palsy. Students may need accessible classrooms, labs, adaptive equipment, or transportation support.

The United Spinal Association provides guidance on independent living and campus accessibility. The American Association of People with Disabilities shares information on advocacy, scholarships, and community support. The American Association on Health & Disability offers details on scholarships and updates about universities that provide strong support for students with physical disabilities. The ADA website also includes guidance on rights and accommodations in higher education.

Chronic Health Conditions

Chronic health conditions such as diabetes, epilepsy, or asthma require ongoing management that can affect attendance and participation. College students may need flexible scheduling, medical accommodations, or emergency support plans.

The College Health Guide shares practical advice on managing chronic conditions in school. Campus disability services and health offices also coordinate accommodations. For broader advocacy and information, the American Association on Health & Disability provides updates on health equity and college resources.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Autism Spectrum Disorder affects social communication, behavior, and sometimes sensory processing. College students with ASD may need support for social integration, executive functioning, and structured routines, in addition to academic accommodations.

Autism Speaks offers transition guides, scholarship resources, and community networks. The Autism Society provides advocacy and college preparation resources. Technology tools like Audio Notetaker can help students organize lectures and coursework effectively.

Mental Health Conditions

Conditions such as anxiety, depression, or bipolar disorder can influence academic performance and campus life. Students may need counseling, accommodations for coursework or testing, and strategies for managing stress.

Organizations like Active Minds promote peer-based mental health support and awareness. College counseling and disability services also provide direct academic and wellness support. National resources such as the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) share research and treatment guidance relevant to students navigating higher education.

Cognitive Disabilities

Cognitive disabilities can include intellectual disabilities or conditions that affect memory, problem-solving, or comprehension. Transitioning to college may involve exploring specialized programs, support networks, and adaptive technologies.

Think College focuses on higher education options for students with intellectual disabilities, including program databases and guidance for families. PACER's National Parent Center on Transition and Employment provides family-centered resources for high school-to-college transition. Tools like Co:Writer Universal offer word prediction and speech recognition to support writing tasks, while Cognitive Problems Caregiving shares tips for caregivers supporting students with cognitive challenges.

Speech Disorders

Speech disorders can affect articulation, fluency, or voice, and may create barriers in presentations or classroom participation. Students with speech-related disabilities might benefit from therapy, communication devices, or supportive technology.

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association offers education and advocacy for students with speech impairments. The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders provides research and funding information. Tools like MyTalk Tools and Speech Trainer 3D can help students practice and enhance communication skills.

Quick-Reference Chart: Resources at a Glance

To help families and students quickly find relevant resources, here is a visual summary of disability types, transition considerations, and key support resources:

ADHD
Managing attention, time management, independent organization

CHADD · Attention Deficit Disorder Association · National Resource Center on ADHD · Priority Matrix · ADHD & You · College Disability Services Offices

Learning Disabilities
Reading, writing, or math challenges; independent study strategies

LD Online · NCLD · Learning Disabilities Association of America · DO-IT Center · International Dyslexia Association · Ginger · Dyslexia Connect

Visual Impairments
Accessible textbooks, screen readers, braille materials

American Foundation for the Blind · Accessible Media Services · Be My Eyes · American Council of the Blind · Family Connect

Hearing Impairments
Captioning, interpreters, assistive listening devices

NAD · RID · Center for Hearing and Communication · Starkey Hearing Foundation · HandSpeak · Gallaudet University

Speech Disorders
Articulation, fluency, or voice support; communication tools

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association · National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders · MyTalk Tools · Speech Trainer 3D

4. Frequently Asked Questions (PACER)

As students and families prepare for the transition from high school to postsecondary education, it is important to understand that the rights and responsibilities shift in significant ways. While many parents are familiar with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), fewer know about the protections provided by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. PACER, a national organization that supports families of children and young adults with disabilities, frequently addresses common concerns. Below are three of the most frequent questions they receive.

Q. How does the ADA affect postsecondary programs?
A. Title II of the ADA covers state-funded programs such as universities, community colleges, and career and technical schools. Title III of the ADA applies to private colleges and vocational programs. If a postsecondary program receives federal funding (which most do), it is also subject to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, which requires schools to make programs accessible to qualified students with disabilities.

Q. What are the differences between the ADA and Section 504?
A. In practice, there are few differences for most postsecondary programs. Section 504 applies only to programs receiving federal financial assistance, but nearly all colleges and universities fall into that category. The ADA Title II requirements for public institutions were modeled after Section 504. Private institutions that do not receive federal funding are not bound by Section 504 or ADA Title II, but under Title III they must still provide reasonable accommodations, even if the standards are somewhat less extensive.

Q. How do the ADA and Section 504 affect admissions requirements?
A. Postsecondary institutions cannot exclude applicants with disabilities or impose eligibility requirements that screen them out. Applications cannot ask about a history of disability or mental illness. Schools may apply safety standards, but these must be based on actual risks rather than assumptions or stereotypes. It is also illegal for schools to treat students with disabilities differently because of insurance concerns, unless based on sound actuarial data or actual experience.

Final Thoughts

The transition to college can feel challenging, but with preparation, knowledge, and support, students with disabilities can thrive academically and socially. By understanding key differences from high school, building self-advocacy skills, gathering necessary documentation, and utilizing tailored resources, students and families can approach this next chapter with confidence. If you'd like additional assistance from a college admissions consultant, Solomon can help. Contact us today.

References

1. Tulsa Community College. Disability Services: High School vs. College. Retrieved from https://web.archive.org/web/20221006031431/https://www.tulsacc.edu/support/accessibility-resources/disability-services-high-school-vs-college

2. Accredited Online Colleges. Accredited Online Colleges and Disability Education. Retrieved from https://www.accreditedonlinecolleges.org/resources/accredited-online-colleges-and-disability-education/

3. PACER Center. (2025). Frequently Asked Questions about Postsecondary Programs and Services for Students with Disabilities. Retrieved from https://web.archive.org/web/20250216215515/https://www.pacer.org/transition/resource-library/publications/NPC-42.pdf

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