Disability Resource Center

Late Diagnosis of Disability Questions

Can a student get to college before a Psychiatric, Learning Disability or Attention Deficit Disorder or other disability is diagnosed? Can students have more than one disability?
YES. Each year, students who have never been diagnosed with any type of disability may develop a disability or discover that they have a disability that was previously undiagnosed. Students can develop a disability due to an illness, an accident or the onset of a psychiatric condition. Some students discover that the rigors of college remove the ability to cope with academics and learn that they have a learning disability. If a learning disability is diagnosed through a psychological-educational evaluation, then the student may elect to register with Disability Resource Center and receive academic accommodations and/or services.

What kinds of behaviors might indicate the existence of a Learning Disability?

• Students who work hard, participate in class, and have obviously done the homework, yet do poorly on tests (poor study habits, lack of review, not attending class, etc. does not indicate a learning disability).
• Students who frequently misunderstand either oral or written directions.
• Students who have erratic and sometimes bizarre spelling in their work.
• Students who say they have a history of working hard in school yet still receive poor grades.