The Academic Coaching Package for Students with Learning Differences

$4,500

Academic Coach: Lisa Delfino

Students with learning differences have as much chance of success in college as any other student if they possess some key attributes and skills, including an understanding of their learning strengths, the ability to self-advocate and the ability to explain how their accommodations mitigate their learning challenges. Fortunately, these attributes and skills can be taught and that is exactly what our coaching program aims to do. Students will experience the following benefits while they are in high school as they also prepare for the demands of college or other post-secondary training:
• Recognition of strengths
• Increased confidence
• Improved grades
• Reduction in feelings of shame and embarrassment associated with their learning difference
• Willingness to use their accommodations

Students participating in our academic coaching package work towards the following outcomes:
• Identifying their strengths and challenges so they can accurately predict when to use their accommodations and ask for assistance with an assignment.
• Understanding how their specific learning difference impacts them in the classroom and while studying independently.
• Learning new strategies to aid their understanding of assignments and course material.
• Identifying which accommodations and learning strategies they will need to successfully perform various academic tasks.
• Improved self-advocacy skills including the ability and confidence to explain to teachers (and eventually professors) how they benefit from using their accommodations.
• Understanding the skills and attributes they will need to be successful college students and setting goals to attain these.

Recommended Timing:
• Sophomore, junior and senior years.

Includes:
• Review of IEP or 504 plan and relevant assessments
• 10 student coaching sessions
• 2 parent meetings
• Email, text and phone time

Services:
This package will be tailored to the specific needs and preferences of each student and family. The following is a list of services included in a “typical” package.
• Review of IEP or 504 plan, evaluations, transcript and standardized testing results.
• Explanation of IEP or 504 plan to student.
• Review of special education services and/or accommodations.
• Discussion of current assignments and grades, successes at school and service delivery at present school.
• Discussion of academic and/or social successes and challenges at school.
• Education on how accommodations connect to the student’s unique learning profile.
• Education on how to speak with teachers and future professors about accommodations and learning profile.
• Practice setting goals.
• Teach, practice and review useful metacognitive strategies including memory retrieval strategies, strategies for accessing or using information, preparing for content area exams and/or writing essays.