Non-degree Learning Opportunities for Young

Adults with LD and ADHD

Non-degree Learning Opportunities for Young

Adults with LD and ADHDArlyn Roffman, Ph.D.

Lesley University

Cambridge, MA

Arlyn Roffman, Ph.D.

Lesley University

Cambridge, MA

What about the 80% who don’t go to competitive colleges?

What about the 80% who don’t go to competitive colleges?

Too often unemployed or underemployed in low-salary positions

Tend to remain dependent on parents longer than their non-disabled peers

Too often unemployed or underemployed in low-salary positions

Tend to remain dependent on parents longer than their non-disabled peers

Practical needs: Practical needs:

Employment skills Career awareness Career exploration Prevocational skills Job search skills Job maintenance skills

Employment skills Career awareness Career exploration Prevocational skills Job search skills Job maintenance skills

Practical needs:Practical needs:

Daily living/independence skills Self-care Consumer skills Meal planning and preparation Housekeeping Getting around Basic skills for survival

Daily living/independence skills Self-care Consumer skills Meal planning and preparation Housekeeping Getting around Basic skills for survival

Practical needs:Practical needs:

Self-advocacy Self-awareness Self-acceptance/reframing Awareness of legal protections afforded

under the ADA and Section 504 Awareness of accommodations needed Willingness to self-disclose and ask for

needed accommodations

Self-advocacy Self-awareness Self-acceptance/reframing Awareness of legal protections afforded

under the ADA and Section 504 Awareness of accommodations needed Willingness to self-disclose and ask for

needed accommodations

Comprehensive college-based non-degree transition programs Comprehensive college-based non-degree transition programs

Offer a normalized college experience, though not in the academic mainstream

Most are 2 to 3 years, residential, offering: Independent living skills Vocational skills Consumer/money management skills Psychoeducational offerings A community-based transition year

Offer a normalized college experience, though not in the academic mainstream

Most are 2 to 3 years, residential, offering: Independent living skills Vocational skills Consumer/money management skills Psychoeducational offerings A community-based transition year

Community-based independent living programs Community-based independent living programs

Less academic than college-based programs

Offer training in independent living skills and vocational skills

Sometimes linked with local community college for class work there

Less academic than college-based programs

Offer training in independent living skills and vocational skills

Sometimes linked with local community college for class work there

Other options:Other options:

Community college Open enrollment, option to take

individual courses or study for Associate’s degree

Technical schools Specific focus Option to work toward licenses,

certifications

Community college Open enrollment, option to take

individual courses or study for Associate’s degree

Technical schools Specific focus Option to work toward licenses,

certifications

Other options:Other options:

Adult education Individual courses

Apprenticeships highly focused on area of interest

Military (with some restrictions)

Adult education Individual courses

Apprenticeships highly focused on area of interest

Military (with some restrictions)