Virtual Academic Coaching

[collegemom]

Hello - 
My daughter is entering her 2nd year of college, it was a bumpy first year and she has identified a few areas that she wants to work on or needs help with to feel successful next school year. Her schools resources when it comes to LDs is lacking and actually non existent, I know I know this should have been a red flag but this is where she wanted to go. We were given a reference to an organization that caterers to kids with LDs in town but they require her to live there for 2 terms as part of their residential program before she can have access to any other services. Its lame, and honestly a $$$ maker I am sure. She won't go for it and honestly it's beyond the help she needs. 

We are looking for someone she can work with virtually who can help her with:
Academic tracking & course supervision

Accountability and performance coaching


Any thoughts on organizations, virtual LD coaches/academic coaching?

[bros]

I am guessing she is at a private college if there is no disability services office?

Maybe try to contat your state Department of Vocational Rehabilitation?

[healthy11]

Collegemom, welcome to our forum. I feel for the situation your daughter is in. Can I ask what learning difficulties she's been diagnosed with? My son, who is very bright but has ADHD and reading/writing difficulties, initially decided to attend a small private university with a strong reputation in his chosen major, but its "Resource Support Department" consisted of one person. She seemed wonderful, and talked about mentorship programs, notetaking assistance, academic tracking, etc. however she ended up quitting just before his Freshman year began. The college replaced her with an inexperienced lady, who proved to be worse than useless when she actually gave him incorrect information about course selection, dropping a class, etc...With my son's permission, I ended up contacting the Dean of Students in order to resolve my son's grading issue, and I made it clear that the new resource person was a detriment to students who had been promised access to resource services. (My son decided to transfer to a public university after his sophomore year. At least there, he got extra time to take certain tests in a quiet environment, without having to individually plead his case to professors every semester.)

Having said the above, I need to ask if you’re familiar with FERPA? Basically, once a student turns 18, or enters post-secondary school, they have the right to determine who can see their records. Even parents can’t get access to their child's grades, or anything else, unless the student signs a waiver granting permission to them. www2.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/faq.html#q5

For the above reason, academic tracking and course supervision may be a problem for any "coach," although they should still be able to work with your daughter on general accountability and performance issues. The following article gives good information about what to look for/where to find ADHD coaching: www.additudemag.com/shopping-for-a-coach/ Here's a portion of what it says:

"A good starting point for finding a coach is your local chapter of CHADD, your doctor, or your psychologist. They can identify candidates in your area or long-distance coaches, whom you can work with on the phone. Another option is to log onto the websites of organizations that certify or list coaches.

The International Coach Federation (ICF; coachfederation.org) certifies life coaches, but not specifically those trained in ADHD. You can search its site to find professionals in your area who have experience and training working with ADDers. The ADHD Coaches Organization (ACO; adhdcoaches.org) has a coach referral service. It lists 150 life coaches who have additional training in ADHD..."

In addition, Patricia Quinn wrote a book "Coaching College Students with AD/HD : Issues and Answers" ~ It's not written as much for students as those who work with them, and perhaps it would be useful for you.