To clarify this blog post better, I am examining academic support programs (ASPs) centrally focused on providing academic support for college students with disabilities, specifically learning-based disabilities.
“Support” in higher education is a topic that is wide in scope, so I am only focusing on this specific type of program.
Backstory: I was once an undergraduate student enrolled in an ASP, and after finishing my 4-year degree, I went on to work for this same program, ultimately acting as Director for two years. I mention this to establish my personal and professional experiences involved in ASPs.
I hope you enjoy this blog, but I am here to help. Click here to learn more about how I help high schoolers with disabilities and their parents with post-secondary planning.
What is an Academic Support Program?
Academic support programs (ASPs) are designed specifically to support the academic growth and progress of students with disabilities. ASPs became prominent in the 1980s but were unheard of until the 1990s and beyond.
Programs were initially designed more for students with learning disabilities (dyslexia) and, eventually, ADHD.
In more recent years, programs have become configured also to support students on the Autism spectrum, those with physical or orthopedic needs, and those with intellectual disabilities.
ASPs come in different sizes and vary in the student populations they serve. Still, the unifying focus is the same: providing college students with disabilities opportunities to grow in their respective institutions and responsibilities. This process is partly accomplished through the interaction with a learning specialist in 1:1 sessions scheduled throughout the semester.
Growth is not solely focused on academics; the working relationship is enhanced through years of collaboration and reciprocal learning between students and learning specialists.
Each session is an opportunity for the student to learn and integrate new strategies and skills that can positively impact various aspects of their lives in college.
A learning specialist (LS) is a professional with (most likely) a background in education or a related field trained to work with the populations serviced by that ASP.
LSs help their students with executive functioning strategies vital to their overall success and survival in college.
Typically, the working relationship grows and becomes more refined as the LS and student work together to develop a sense of trust and a bond.
LSs also work together to solve problems and generate ideas for supporting their respective students.
On the student side of the equation, the expectation is that they will come to each session with their own work, including organizational paperwork such as course syllabi, assignment prompts, and more.
Being self-directed as a college student is a universal experience since all students are expected to be autonomous and able to budget their time effectively for their classes and extracurricular responsibilities.
This is sometimes difficult for incoming freshmen, but over time and through repetition, they become more accustomed to this practice.
This automation process also leads to prioritizing assignments according to deadlines and assessing how much support the student might need to complete them.
Application Process for Academic Support Programs
ASPs do come with their application process with a separate application form and different requisite paperwork. This is an important component of maintaining confidentiality and removes any bias on the part of the Admissions Department for that institution from showing any bias (favorable or not) toward a person and their disability. In other words, admissions need to be “disability blind” in their overall decision-making process when accepting or rejecting a person’s application.
The nature of a person’s disability and the supporting documentation involved in their separate application are confidential.
When applying for an ASP, the application (i.e., student) must be cognizant of what paperwork they are collecting, completing, and sending, and specifically who it’s being sent to.
This applies to both electronic mail and conventional main systems!
Applying to an ASP may also come at an additional cost.
Stages of the Application Process
Applicants must apply to the institution and the ASP separately and often simultaneously (unless instructed otherwise).
ASP applications include general demographic details (e.g., name, address, current high school or college, DOB, etc.), questions about disability and impact, and a checklist of required documentation specific to that ASP.
An important note about who can apply – applicants often include those who graduated from high school, are internal (within that institution) transfers, or external (transferring from another institution) transfers.
Often (but not always) applicants are traditional college-aged students. [ages 17-23, coming from high school]
Students who complete their application and have their updated requisite documentation will need to hear from the overall institution first to ensure that they have been accepted.
Often, students who seem like a good fit on paper are invited to interview with representatives from that ASP.
These interviews are typically “by invite only,” so do not immediately assume this will be your next step.
The application process can be time-consuming, so don’t take that as a bad sign if you don't hear back quickly.
The interview is typically a “get to know you” more so than a “job interview,” if that helps.
Your application and documentation have been reviewed, so now it’s time to put a face to your application.
This is your opportunity to make an impression, answer questions about yourself, and ask your own questions!
I have a collection of videos called the College Collection Series; check it out!
Suggestions for the Interview for Academic Support Programs
The best advice I can give you from my experiences as both being interviewed for and leading interviewing for an ASP is to be yourself, have insights about how you learn, and come prepared with questions.
You are interviewing for an ASP, so discussing your struggles as a student or person with a disability is expected. Don’t shy away from being candid and offering examples.
Don’t just focus on how you struggle; include instances where you found success and the determination involved.
Discussing your disability and how it impacts your learning will help these representatives better understand how they can support you and the level of support you are looking for.
You will be asked about your goals and interests, potential major choices, and what you’re looking for from college.
Pro-tip for students: come prepared and dressed to make a good impression.
This doesn’t mean you should come fully dressed for a job interview, but you should at least not look like you rolled out of bed in your pajamas.
Remember, it’s a matter of impression on both ends; this small aspect could make a difference for you.
Also, come early!
Pro-tip for Parents: be prepared to step aside for this meeting and have the utmost trust in your child.
These meetings are often only designated for the applying student.
While this can be a difficult change for some parents, it’s a wonderful opportunity for the students to speak about themselves and self-advocate their needs.
Be prepared for this interview and follow-up steps to take some time. You may need to take time off from school to complete this process.
A typical interview may take up to 45 - 60 minutes.
Question Suggestions for Students
How does this program support its students, and what does a typical session look like?
If I were a student in your program, how might you support my academic needs?
How does this program help prepare students for life after college?
What careers have former students gone on to?
These are just some ideas for questions; please come with your own, too!
Application Outcomes for Academic Support Programs
Realistically, not everyone who applies to an academic support program will be accepted. This can be for various reasons, and each application decision is made on a case-by-case basis. In other words, a student may get rejected due to the nature of their needs, disability, and the overall level of support that the program can provide.
It is important to understand that these decisions result from much consideration and time. In addition, if a student is not accepted into an ASP, it does not impact their application to the overall institution, and the student can still apply for accommodations.
Accommodations are not the same as being in an ASP; accommodations require a separate application process but do not cost you anything.
Each program operates differently, so it’s important to look into what options are available if an application should result in a rejection.
Academic Support Programs and Costs
Since the level of support an ASP provides goes above what is legally required and given the specialized nature of the overall type of support, these programs will come at a cost. This is also important when factoring in the overall cost of attending a certain institution.
However, it’s important to consider an ASP as the GPS system in your car; it’s an important tool that only adds value to your overall driving experience. The same can be said about paying the extra cost each semester or year for using an ASP.
Typically, these semesterly/yearly costs can be factored into financial aid packages; however, this is not an immediate guarantee.
Lastly, it’s important to research the cost of any program and how many weekly sessions you will be entitled to in a given semester.
Some programs offer support for the full four years of college; others for a set amount of semesters or years.
In some cases, applicants will need to pay the full cost of a full four years of college upfront, while others are charged per semester.
How are Academic Support Programs Structured?
Typically, ASPs function within the overall institution and are their own separate department. This is, again, due to confidentiality reasons.
ASPs will pair each enrolled student with a professional with sessions built into the student’s weekly schedule.
The positive here is that you have designated times and days for your sessions with the same LS, similar to your class schedule.
You, the student, must bring in work for each session. [There is always something to work on]
Your attendance will be counted, and there will likely be guidelines for conduct in sessions and overall attendance as a student within that ASP.
Parents: please keep in mind that it is not typical for these programs to provide “progress reports,” nor should that be the expectation when applying. Remember, your child will be a college student; their performance is based on their efforts and those outcomes. These programs do not guarantee success.
ASPs often also offer workshops that focus on topics specific to their students, including disability rights, time management, organizational strategies, test-taking or study tips, and more.
The Working Relationship in Academic Support Programs
Over time, the student and learning specialist will naturally begin to develop rapport, which will result in the student being more comfortable sharing their work and getting feedback. An openness to feedback and using that information can help many students grow as learners and writers.
Risk-taking in education is the hallmark of growing outside of one's comfort zone, which may result in high levels of thinking and output.
It’s also important to realize that feedback can be constructive and helpful, not just as a punitive or belittling measure.
Openness to feedback and risk-taking in learning also paves the way toward integrating new skills and strategies.
It’s not uncommon for students to come into college and these ASPs as timid freshmen, insecure or defensive of their ideas, abilities in reading and writing, and general work stamina, and to leave more mature, refined, and goal-oriented young professionals.
ASPs can also be a great holistic means of helping students grow as people, to support when setbacks arise and to find accountability in their actions in college.
Again, this is why ASPs can be so beneficial to many students with disabilities.
Social Growth in Academic Support Programs
Another important detail that may get overlooked is the relationships students establish with each other in an ASP.
When I started as a freshman, I met students in my cohort and upperclassmen approaching graduation. It instilled a sense of “I can do it too” that was motivating. It’s also reassuring to meet other students with similar educational backgrounds in the context of having a disability and working toward the same goal as you.
Student-led study groups are common.
Shier, more introverted students may have an easier time making friendships.
ASPs can almost feel like a “home base” on campus.
So, are Academic Support Programs Worth It?
Yes. I speak as a former student supported by an ASP and having worked in and directed an ASP, and I have seen many great opportunities for student growth.
As I mentioned before, the additional cost can be a sore subject, especially considering how expensive college is; however, consider it an investment in yourself or your child.
College is a gamble, and there is no guarantee you will pass all of your courses.
If you are going to invest the time and money anyway, why not add an additional measure to bolster your chances of achieving more in college?
ASPs also help to alleviate some of the initial jitters when it comes to starting college for the first time, and having that source of support when the semester starts to get more difficult can make a tremendous difference.
Let me know in the comments your thoughts, and if this was helpful a like or share goes a long way!
Respectfully,
Dustin.
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Salut