Skill Building with Students Over the Summer

Students with physical disabilities and health conditions will need to be able to independently manage and navigate their health and wellness needs, as well as their academics and social life when they get to college. It’s helpful for students to start developing skills for success well before they start their first semester.

Identify Needs:
Start by engaging the student to take a holistic look at their every day life. Support them in identifying the the areas where they currently receive help or assistance from their parents, teachers, and friends. This could relate to personal care (bathing, dressing, toileting, etc), medication management, or healthcare management (doctor appointment, mental health therapy, PT/OT, etc.) Think about the students independent living skills. Can they do their laundry, make a simple meal, and clean their space? Create a list of the areas where the student may need support.  

Make a Plan:
Once the student has identified areas where they may need develop their skills, work with them to create a plan to work on those skills. Support the student in setting goals, and create ways to measure success. 
Remember, once the student matriculates to college they will need to be able to:

• Communicate with disability support office administrators to request accommodations 
• Speak with their professors about their accommodations
• Identify when something is not working and seek support
• Manage their health needs alongside academics 

All of these skills require students to hone their self-advocacy and executive function skills. If you have a student with a physical disability and/or health condition who needs support, contact Accessible College today for a free 30 minute consultation!