Students with additional needs are not alone in negotiating third-level life

Starting college is typically a time of great excitement in a person’s life. Freedom and independence beckons; getting to study a course and subjects you’ve a particular interest in, rather than subjects you have to study because the Leaving Cert and all that jazz; and let’s not forget the social life and societies that await for students to find their passions and meet their tribe. But it can also be a time of worry and anxiety, not least for students with additional needs, learning differences and disabilities as the familiar structure and supports of school are gone. Add into the equation that students are now likely adults and so parental involvement in their education will be less, and it can all feel a tad overwhelming. However, students are not alone in embarking on this new stage of their lives. College and university disability supports are there to support students with their learning and adjustment to college life. Deirdre Creedon is the head of access and disability at Munster Technological University (MTU) and student affairs manager, Cork. Colleges will be aware of students who have come to college through the Dare (disability access route to education) and so will be in a position to reach out to these students. But even if a student didn’t have access to Dare it doesn’t matter, Creedon says. Deirdre Creedon. “Once you’re in, if you think that you will need support from the disability service you can register with the disability services in whatever third-level college you’re going to. From there you make your link. And you will be met by a disability support adviser or practitioner within the service who will then assess the situation, look at any sporting documentation that a student would present with and discuss what kind of sports the student got in their second-level [education], or if they’re mature students, whatever background they’re coming from.” Students who are seeking disability support services at MTU are given an individual learning requirement document, she says. “That would be where their individual needs would be captured, basically. And it’ll be identified what supports they will need going forward. Because the academic year is short, two semesters, and very quickly – before you know it – the students who are coming in the door will have an assessment or assignment in week six or week seven and there will be time needed to process whatever supports that they need.” [ A parent’s guide to helping your children start college lifeOpens in new window ] Some students, particularly those who may have ADHD, dyspraxia or other neurodivergent diagnoses may struggle with being organised enough to reach out for these supports, and in school a parent or teacher may have stepped in to help.