by Dr. Phyllis Books, DC
Part One of this article discussed secondary school choices for children with dyslexia. This second half will discuss college ideas as well as options for those children who do not wish to go to college.
Private Colleges versus Public Universities
Private colleges with small class sizes are ideal for those who might fall through the cracks of university courses of several hundred students. Private schools also have a better retention and graduate rate than public schools. As private colleges are smaller, students receive more attention. However, one major drawback is the high cost of private colleges.
Living at home and attending a nearby two-year junior college or community college is a good solution for some young adults. The tuition at community colleges is low, and if your child isn’t sure what to major in, community colleges offer a way to try out several subjects without a financial drain.
Transition to College
For some students, the transition from high school to college-level academics begins early. Homeschoolers often take community college classes during the equivalent of their last two years of high school. Children in some charter schools also enroll in community college classes and take other classes online.
Community colleges offer a two-year associate’s degree in a number of subjects, including some programs that might also be offered through vocational training. Students then have the option to transfer to a four-year institution to complete their bachelor’s degree.
Regardless of the kind of college, be sure to ask if they offer special accommodations for special needs. Schools vary widely on just how accommodating and open they are. Many people with dyslexic tendencies do very well if allowed to show their grasp of a subject in creative ways.
What Helps Kids Get into College These Days?
If your child has dyslexic tendencies, there is a good chance she will have a better-functioning right hemisphere of the brain. Check whether studies at any college match up with your child’s aptitudes and interests. Filmmaking, public speaking, story writing, and theatre arts are typical right-brain strengths. Steven Spielberg, the famous filmmaker, says he would have graduated in filmmaking had he finished his degree.
What if Your Child Doesn’t Want to Go to College?
Some people with dyslexia may not be interested in a traditional form of higher education. Their “people smarts” and “street smarts” may serve them better in entrepreneurial endeavors. Steve Jobs, the head of Apple, flunked out of college his first year.
Your child comes with a unique purpose and blueprint. Our job as parents is to find ways to allow his or her gifts and strengths to emerge, and that doesn’t always mean the child has to attend college. Be open to what your child wants and seems suited for; that way, everyone wins.
Dr. Phyllis Books, DC, is a teacher, doctor, grandmother, and developer of Books Neural Therapy™, a natural, non-drug intervention for children with dyslexia and other learning and behavior issues. Her clients call her a combination of a neurosurgeon, a psychiatrist, and Mother Teresa. Mostly, she loves sharing what she’s learned about kids, how they learn, and how they can feel good about themselves and be successful. Support@ReversingDyslexia.com (512) 560-7888, drphyllisbooks.com and reversingdyslexia.com.
Part One of this article discussed secondary school choices for children with dyslexia. This second half will discuss college ideas as well as options for those children who do not wish to go to college.
Private Colleges versus Public Universities
Private colleges with small class sizes are ideal for those who might fall through the cracks of university courses of several hundred students. Private schools also have a better retention and graduate rate than public schools. As private colleges are smaller, students receive more attention. However, one major drawback is the high cost of private colleges.
Living at home and attending a nearby two-year junior college or community college is a good solution for some young adults. The tuition at community colleges is low, and if your child isn’t sure what to major in, community colleges offer a way to try out several subjects without a financial drain.
Transition to College
For some students, the transition from high school to college-level academics begins early. Homeschoolers often take community college classes during the equivalent of their last two years of high school. Children in some charter schools also enroll in community college classes and take other classes online.
Community colleges offer a two-year associate’s degree in a number of subjects, including some programs that might also be offered through vocational training. Students then have the option to transfer to a four-year institution to complete their bachelor’s degree.
Regardless of the kind of college, be sure to ask if they offer special accommodations for special needs. Schools vary widely on just how accommodating and open they are. Many people with dyslexic tendencies do very well if allowed to show their grasp of a subject in creative ways.
What Helps Kids Get into College These Days?
If your child has dyslexic tendencies, there is a good chance she will have a better-functioning right hemisphere of the brain. Check whether studies at any college match up with your child’s aptitudes and interests. Filmmaking, public speaking, story writing, and theatre arts are typical right-brain strengths. Steven Spielberg, the famous filmmaker, says he would have graduated in filmmaking had he finished his degree.
What if Your Child Doesn’t Want to Go to College?
Some people with dyslexia may not be interested in a traditional form of higher education. Their “people smarts” and “street smarts” may serve them better in entrepreneurial endeavors. Steve Jobs, the head of Apple, flunked out of college his first year.
Your child comes with a unique purpose and blueprint. Our job as parents is to find ways to allow his or her gifts and strengths to emerge, and that doesn’t always mean the child has to attend college. Be open to what your child wants and seems suited for; that way, everyone wins.
Dr. Phyllis Books, DC, is a teacher, doctor, grandmother, and developer of Books Neural Therapy™, a natural, non-drug intervention for children with dyslexia and other learning and behavior issues. Her clients call her a combination of a neurosurgeon, a psychiatrist, and Mother Teresa. Mostly, she loves sharing what she’s learned about kids, how they learn, and how they can feel good about themselves and be successful. Support@ReversingDyslexia.com (512) 560-7888, drphyllisbooks.com and reversingdyslexia.com.
