You Don't Know What You Don't Know - with Elizabeth C. Hamblet

Welcome to ‘You Don't Know What You Don't Know – A Learning Disabilities Specialist’s Perspective.’ Our guest is author and speaker Elizabeth C. Hamblet. 

Elizabeth has worked as a learning disabilities specialist in college disability services offices for more than two decades. In addition to working at a university, she is a nationally-requested speaker on preparing students with disabilities for successful college transition. She is the author of a book and a laminated guide on this subject, and her work has appeared in numerous journals and online. 

In this episode, we learn her origin story (special education was her second master’s degree) and discuss some of the important differences between high school and college. We also discuss why some students do not request accommodations: some students don’t think that have a disability; others want to shed the disability part of their identity as they transition to college.

Here are some highlights:

• The biggest thing parents should worry about is their student’s willingness to seek help.
• Accommodations won’t matter if the student does not understand the content.
• College is not meant to be an extension of high school. It is hard.

When assessing the appropriateness of a school, parent and students should check documentation requirements and call the disability services office to ask questions. Parents may be surprised at how independent students are required to be. Disability services notwithstanding, a good fit is still paramount. 

The landscape of disability services is evolving. Elizabeth’s research on these changes will feature largely in the Third Edition of From High School to College: Steps to Success for Students with Disabilities available from Rowman & Littlefield this summer.

Learn more about our guest at LDadvisory.com.