If your child has an intellectual disability, then the dream of seeing him or her go to college might feel as though it is unreachable. Today, many colleges have assistance programs designed to help students who have intellectual disabilities take classes, gain job skills, and find employment after graduation. Perhaps a college near you offers this type of program.
According to the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, the term “intellectual disability” is “a disability characterized by significant limitations both in intellectual functioning and in adaptive behavior, which covers many everyday social and practical skills. This disability originates before the age of 18”.
Parents of children who have an intellectual disability may worry about what their child will end up doing after he or she finishes high school. The high school environment hopefully has a system in place that enables your child to get the assistance that he or she needs in order to succeed in school. This could take the form of specialized classes, adapted curriculums, or the assistance of an aide.
Some colleges also have programs that are designed so that a student who has an intellectual disability can take classes, gain job skills, and find employment that they not only can do, but also find fulfilling. You might want to check what the college nearest you can offer.
Elmhurst College is located in Elmhurst, Illinois. They are affiliated with the United Church of Christ. They are accredited by the Department of Education of the State of Illinois, and The Higher Learning Commission. The college has a program called ELSA (which stands for The Elmhurst Learning and Success Academy).
This program offers classes that help students with intellectual disabilities to increase their literacy skills, and their abilities in writing, math, purposeful reading, and reading for pleasure. It also teaches independent living skills.
Students in the ELSA program can take technology and career exploration courses, (including job shadowing), and can get internships and field experiences. The program also guides students with intellectual disabilities through gaining social and recreational skills.
National Louis University, located in Skokie, Illinois, has a program called PACE (which stands for professional assistant center for education). It is for young adults who have multiple learning disabilities. It is a two-year, on campus, program that integrates formal instruction in academics, career preparation, life skills, and socialization into one curriculum. Class sizes are small. Around 25 students are accepted into the program each fall.
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