Frequently Asked Questions: Disability and the Adult Student
We get a lot of inquiries at Adult Student.com! Many deal with similar topics, so we've decided to post some of our most commonly asked questions. Use our form to submit your question.
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For more information, please see our Disability Links and Disability Information pages.
- I just have a simple question. I suffer from PTSD, Anxiety Disorder, and Panic Attacks due to military service in the Army, from about four years ago. What is, or who is the best person to talk with at my college, and is their extra help I can get due to my situation? I am on medication through the Veterans Hospital, and see a shrink there. What can the school offer me in regards to my disability?
-- Johnny
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Every school is different as to the specific services it offers. But all who get government funding of any sort are required to follow the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504) and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (Title II) guidelines. Completely private schools are also required to follow certain regulations as well in regard to enrollment and assistance. More information:
- US Government's A Guide to Disability Rights Laws page has short explanations and contact information for relevant organizations.
- Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights has an article titled "Students with Disabilities Preparing for Postsecondary Education: Know Your Rights and Responsibilities"
- Wrightslaw.com has a helpful free PDF file for students with disabilities: Help for College Students with Disabilities
- Also, we just found the book, 100 Things Every College Student With a Disability Ought to Know which may be helpful.
- I was wondering if there was a test I could take or someone I could talk to about finding out whether I have a learning disability. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time.
-- Anonymous
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Yes (and no). There are many tools to help evaluate where you might lie on the learning spectrum. Some of these are tools found on the web that are free (or available with a free registration) and should be taken with some awareness that they produce a somewhat generic result, much like a pop-magazine quiz.
Your best bet is talking with someone at the counseling center at your college. He or she will have resources available to help you identify your strengths and weaknesses.
Meanwhile, here is some government and peer-reviewed information on learning disabilities. Much of the information is aimed at children, but can be related to adults:
- About.com resource article with a lot of cross-linked definitions.
- Learning Disorder Information from the National Institutes of Health governmental agency
- Adult Learning Disabilities page from National Center for Learning Disabilities - a private foundation with government backing
"Do I Have LD?" article with links to other informative pages.
Hope this helps!
- I am concerned about child care for my disabled 3 year old I feel no one can take care of her like I can. I know I have to go to school to make our lives better but all I can think about is her and how she is doing in her daycare.
-- Christa
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We understand your concern about your daughter. Ask at your college counseling center, contact your local children and family services and/or disability services offices. A multi-pronged approach might yield you some choices. Each state has its own structure for providing services. Unfortunately, we don't know of any comprehensive state program listing, so you'll need to search the web for phrases such as "children and family services" or "state disability office" or "respite care" and include your state. There should be a local contact for your location.
Beware, though, of having the attitude that no one else can take care of your daughter like you can. While for the long term that is probably true, short-term respite care from a qualified caregiver is just as important for her social developments as it is for your own rejuvenation.
FAQs compiled by
Kristin Pintarich
Editor-in-Chief, Practical Psychology Press, Inc.
© 2000-2010 Practical Psychology Press