Other parents worry that teachers will make assumptions and not see their child as an individual. It is natural to feel protective and scared for your child, but you should keep in mind that this advocacy skill is essential for your child to develop- the younger the better. The self-aware student will know what additional supports he needs, what medications work best and when they are most effective, which teaching styles are most beneficial, and will have time management, organizational strategies, and priority setting skills in place. Although there tend to be fewer opportunities for developing self-awareness skills in high school because there is typically more structure, there are other ways to gain experience in this area. One way the student can develop his self-awareness skills is by taking a college course during high school.
Community colleges are great places to try out a course.
The student can take a college course over the summer or during his senior year of high school. However, it is wise to draw up a contract which clearly states the responsibilities of the student, and the role of mom and dad in this new experience. Visiting the disability support service office to inquire about introductory courses and the professors who teach the courses can be helpful. During this visit, the student can set up appropriate services and accommodations if needed. This experience will give the student a flavor of college and provide a sense of responsibility for setting priorities and structuring time to work, attending the course, taking time to do assignments outside of class, arranging for outside assistance if needed, setting time to be with friends and taking part in activities.