Rehabilitation Counselors and Postsecondary Academic Institutions: Partners in Meeting the Needs of LD College Students

This paper focuses on the joint partnership between the rehabilitation professional and postsecondary academic institutions when serving clients with learning disabilities. Definitions of learning disability are explored as well as the types of evaluations used to determine if a learning disability exists. Assessment techniques are discussed. The variety of behavioral and psychosocial deficits which affect the ability of learning disabled persons to secure and maintain employment are described. The needs of the college student with a disability are indicated. The following recommendations for the involvement of the rehabilitation counselor are suggested: (1) provision of comprehensive assessment of the client's disability and its limitations; (2) assistance in integrating strengths and limitations in planning for maximizing vocational potential; (3) coordination with university personnel in providing appropriate support services; (4) provision of intensive counseling and follow-up services to assist in adjustment to the college environment; and (5) assistance in the provision of necessary aids, devices, and accommodations to facilitate academic success. (Author/ABL)