15 College Programs for Kids With Learning and Attention Issues

By Understood Editors

While all colleges must provide basic supports to students with learning disabilities and ADHD, many go beyond that. Some even offer fee-based programs to help build learning and executive functioning skills. Check out this list of 15 from Lauren Sagat, director of college guidance at Purnell School in Pottersville, New Jersey.

Read More: https://www.understood.org/en/school-learning/choosing-changing-schools/leaving-high-school/15-college-programs-for-kids-with-learning-and-attention-issues?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=understoodorg

7 Facts You Need To Know About ADHD

1. ADHD is Real

   Nearly every mainstream medical, psychological, and educational organization in the United States long ago concluded that Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a real, brain-based medical disorder. These organizations also concluded that children and adults with ADHD benefit from appropriate treatment. ^{[1,2,3,4,5,6,7]}
2. ADHD is a Common, Non-Discriminatory Disorder

   ADHD is a non-discriminatory disorder affecting people of every age, gender, IQ, religious and socio-economic background.
   In 2011, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that the percentage of children in the United States who have ever been diagnosed with ADHD is now 9.5%. ^[8] Boys are diagnosed two to three times as often as girls.
   Among adults, the Harvard/NIMH National Comorbidity Survey Replication found 4.4% percent of adults, ages 18-44 in the United States, experience symptoms and some disability. ^[9]
   ADHD, AD/HD, and ADD all refer to the same disorder. The only difference is that some people have hyperactivity and some people don’t.
3. Diagnosing ADHD is a Complex Process

   In order for a diagnosis of ADHD to be considered, the person must exhibit a large number of symptoms, demonstrate significant problems with daily life in several major life areas (work, school, or friends), and have had the symptoms for a minimum of six months.
   To complicate the diagnostic process, many of the symptoms look like extreme forms of normal behavior. Additionally, a number of other conditions resemble ADHD. Therefore, other possible causes of the symptoms must be taken into consideration before reaching a diagnosis of ADHD.
   What makes ADHD different from other conditions is that the symptoms are excessive, pervasive, and persistent. That is, behaviors are more extreme, show up in multiple settings, and continue showing up throughout life.
   No single test will confirm that a person has ADHD. Instead, diagnosticians rely on a variety of tools, the most important of which is information about the person and his or her behavior and environment. If the person meets all of the criteria for ADHD ^[10,11], he or she will be diagnosed with the disorder.
4. Other Mental Health Conditions Often Occur Along With ADHD

   • Up to 30% of children and 25-40% of adults with ADHD have a co-existing anxiety disorder. ^[12]
   • Experts claim that up to 70% of those with ADHD will be treated for depression at some point in their lives. ^[13]
   • Sleep disorders affect people with ADHD two to three times as often as those without it. ^[14]
5. ADHD is Not Benign

   ADHD is not benign.^[15] Particularly when the ADHD is undiagnosed and untreated, ADHD contributes to:
   • Problems succeeding in school and successfully graduating. ^[16,17]
   • Problems at work, lost productivity, and reduced earning power.^{[18,19,20,21]}
   • Problems with relationships. ^[22,23]
   • More driving citations and accidents. ^{[24,25,26,27]}
   • Problems with overeating and obesity. ^{[28,29,30,31]}
   • Problems with the law. ^[32,33]
   According to Dr. Joseph Biederman, professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, ADHD may be one of the costliest medical conditions in the United States: “Evaluating, diagnosing and treating this condition may not only improve the quality of life, but may save billions of dollars every year.” ^[34]
6. ADHD is Nobody’s FAULT

   ADHD is NOT caused by moral failure, poor parenting, family problems, poor teachers or schools, too much TV, food allergies, or excess sugar. Instead, research shows that ADHD is both highly genetic (with the majority of ADHD cases having a genetic component), and a brain-based disorder (with the symptoms of ADHD linked to many specific brain areas). ^[35]
   The factors that appear to increase a child’s likelihood of having the disorder include gender, family history, prenatal risks, environmental toxins, and physical differences in the brain. ^[36]
7. ADHD Treatment is Multi-Faceted

   Currently, available treatments focus on reducing the symptoms of ADHD and improving functioning. Treatments include medication, various types of psychotherapy, behavioral interventions, education or training, and educational support. Usually a person with ADHD receives a combination of treatments. ^[37,38]

Facts Via: http://www.adhdawarenessmonth.org/adhd-facts/

Back to School Tips for Families of Children with Special Needs

A new school year means a new grade, new teachers, new goals, and maybe even a new school! This list was created to help you and your child with special needs be as successful as you can be, and to help make the transition into a new school year a little easier.

http://www.unicornchildrensfoundation.org/backtoschool/

Happy Friday!

LAST DAY to win a Flip Cam

Have you always dreamed of being in a commercial? Need some practice before you hit the screen? Fill out our application to be included in our I Am... campaign TODAY and qualify to win a Flip Cam!

http://www.unicornchildrensfoundation.org/iam/

Your Chance to Win a Flip Video Cam!

You may now submit your application to be featured in our I Am... Video Documentary ONLINE! Complete the form by THIS Friday, July 19th to qualify.

An Invitation to Help Us Change the World

Unicorn Children’s Foundation, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, is preparing to launch its “I Am…” campaign that will feature individuals diagnosed with neurodevelopmental disorders, such as Autism, Asperger’s, ADHD, Bipolar, Dyslexia, and other Learning Disorders. The goal of this program is to change the world’s perception of individuals diagnosed with these disorders so that they begin focusing on each individual’s strengths and interests rather than their diagnosis and challenges. 

The possibilities are endless! Please share with us your special skills, hobbies, and successes and you may be featured by Unicorn Children’s Foundation. Selected individuals will be featured monthly on our social networking sites and our website. One individual will be featured in each of our newsletters that are distributed to over 5,000 members around the world. A handful of individuals will be featured in our “I Am…” documentary. 

Submit your application by Friday, July 19, 2013 to automatically be entered for your chance to win a Cisco 4 GB Flip Video Cam!

Check Out Unicorn Children's Foundation in the Latest Issue of Simply the Best!

Check Unicorn Children's Foundation out in the July/August 2013 issue of Simply the Best Magazine. Pick up your copy today! 

http://www.unicornchildrensfoundation.org/press/ucf-in-the-news/stb7813/

UVA Application Fee Waived!

We are excited to announce that the Application Fee for Unicorn Village Academy has been waived! For more information, visit http://unicornvillageacademy.org/.

Introducing... Unicorn Village Academy!

It's Friday!

Happy Friday! Hope everyone has a great weekend!!

As Long As We Can Dream

Celebrate Neurodiversity

Be YOU

Happy Halloween from Unicorn Children's Foundation!

50 Palm Beach Extraordinary Charities

Unicorn Children’s Foundation to be featured as one of 50 Palm Beach Extraordinary Charities!

Casting Call

We're looking for individuals with exceptional talents to feature in our campaign. Visit our website for more information.

Wanna Stay at The Ritz-Carlton?

If anyone is attending our 5th Annual Denim, Diamonds and Dice Casino and is interested in staying at The Ritz-Carlton, Palm Beach on November 3, 2012, please contact Sofia for details on a special rate. 561-620-9377 or sofia@unicornchildrensfoundation.org

Thank You Boca Raton Observer!

Have you seen our ad for the 5th Annual Denim, Diamonds and Dice Casino in the October 2012 Edition of Boca Raton Observer magazine? Pick it up today and visit our website for more information.

I Am...

Unicorn Children’s Foundation, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, is preparing to launch its “I Am…” campaign that will feature individuals diagnosed with neurodevelopmental disorders, such as Autism, Asperger’s, ADHD, Bipolar, Dyslexia, and other Learning Disorders. The goal of this program is to change the world’s perception of individuals diagnosed with these disorders so that they begin focusing on each individual’s strengths and interests rather than their diagnosis and challenges. Just think, your ability to overcome adversity may be an inspiration to others who have experienced similar challenges. We invite you to submit your registration form for this important project.

Click here for more information on how to change the world.