If you are the proud parent of a gifted or special needs child and are helping that child prepare and plan for college, this article's for you.

There are a few things we need to square away before we begin. First, let's recognize that college is a major life decision. Higher education can benefit your child greatly in his/her adult years (increasing employability, job opportunities, and earnings potential). Second, we need to reach an understanding that colleges are very different from primary/secondary schools. Colleges do not have to provide your gifted student with a "free and appropriate education" that suits the student's needs and abilities. Third, we need to come to the realization that your gifted student's success in college is dependent on your assisting him/her with goal setting, educational planning, and making good choices. No student, gifted or not, should go through the college planning process alone. That said, let's start with the prep work.

1. If your gifted student dreams of college, encourage that dream. Start talking about college very early and begin planning for college around 7th grade.
   
2. Visit with your student's school counselors and other important people in your child's life and discuss your plans, dreams, concerns, etc.
   
3. Document your child's needs carefully. No, colleges aren't required to meet the same assistive standards as primary/secondary schools. But, they are required under ADA to provide "reasonable accommodations" to students with documented needs.
   
4. Encourage your chid to take the most challenging courses possible in high school, but don't pressure him/her to perform. Entrance to college requires completion of a strong academic curriculum; but doesn't require the student to take honors/advanced placement courses.
   
5. Make sure you discuss special needs with your student's high school counselor before registering him/her for standardized admissions testing (SAT or ACT). Exceptions can be made to provide students with assistance (a reader, extra time, etc.) when a documented need exists.
   
6. Read about the colleges your student is interested in, examine their requirements, examine their offerings and services. Make certain, as much as you can, that the colleges your student applies to are "good fits."

And most importantly, apply! There is no reason not to; and every reason that you should.

To read more about college planning for gifted children and the process of transitioning to adulthood, check out:

• Realizing the College Dream with Autism or Asperger Syndrome by Ann Palmer
  
• College Planning for Gifted Students by Sandra Berger, and
  
• Preparing for Life: The complete guide for transitioning to adulthood for those with Autism and Aspberger's Syndrome

Until next time!

Lynn Byrne

Preparing for college admissions? Trying to find direction? Need a little help with the planning? Check out my college planning series:

• College Planning Made Easy--the planning and preparation workbook for the take charge, college-bound student,
  
• Paying for College Made Easy--a college financing guide designed to assist students and families in preparing and planning for higher education expenses; and
  
• The Great Scholarship Search--my guide for students and parents researching and applying for scholarship funding.