College Counseling for Students with Learning Differences

Finding the Right Path After High School

Planning for life after high school can feel exciting—and overwhelming. For students with dyslexia, ADHD, executive functioning challenges, and other learning differences, the right next step often requires looking beyond grades, rankings, and traditional admissions criteria.

At Read Write Grow, we take a whole-student approach to college and postsecondary planning.

We help students and families explore four-year colleges, community colleges, trade and technical programs, certificate programs, and other pathways, while considering the supports a student needs to succeed.

Our goal is not just college admission.

Our goal is long-term success in the right environment.

College Planning With Learning Differences in Mind

Students with learning differences often need to consider factors that go beyond traditional college counseling, including independence, organization, self-advocacy, and access to support services.

We help students answer key questions such as:

  • What learning environment fits this student best?

  • What supports and accommodations are available?

  • How independent is the student in managing schoolwork and daily responsibilities?

  • What campus size, structure, and culture are the right fit?

  • What academic or career interests should guide the search?

  • Is college the best next step—or is another pathway a better fit?

These conversations shift the process from getting in somewhere to finding the right fit.

College Admissions Counseling

For students pursuing a four-year college, we provide support throughout the planning and application process, including:

  • Building a balanced college list

  • Understanding admissions requirements

  • Creating application timelines

  • Staying organized through the process

  • Exploring majors and programs

  • Evaluating campus fit and support services

  • Preparing for the transition to college

  • Building self-advocacy skills

We also focus on what happens after admission—ensuring the school can support the student’s needs, not just accept them.

Understanding College Support Services

A key part of college planning for students with learning differences is understanding how support changes after high school.

We help families evaluate:

  • Disability and accessibility services

  • Academic support and tutoring centers

  • Executive functioning and writing support

  • Counseling and wellness resources

  • Accommodation processes and documentation requirements

We guide families in asking the right questions to compare schools effectively.

Community College & Transfer Planning

A four-year college is not the right path for every student.

For some, community college offers a strong and strategic starting point—providing time to build skills, explore interests, and prepare for transfer or career training.

We help students and families determine whether this pathway aligns with their goals and readiness.

Community college is not a backup option.

For many students, it is the best first step.

Trade Schools & Career Pathways

College is one option after high school—not the only one.

Students who learn best through hands-on or applied experiences may thrive in:

  • Trade and technical schools

  • Apprenticeships

  • Certificate programs

  • Career and technical education

  • Skilled trades and vocational training

We help students explore these pathways with the same care as traditional college planning.

The key question is not whether a student should go to college, but:

What path best supports this student’s success?

Transition Skills for Life After High School

Postsecondary success requires more than choosing a school.

We also help students build essential skills, including:

  • Self-advocacy

  • Organization and time management

  • Executive functioning

  • Understanding accommodations

  • Communicating with instructors and support staff

  • Managing deadlines and responsibilities

  • Increasing independence

These skills are especially important for students transitioning from structured high school support systems.

Defining the Right Fit

The “right college” is not the most selective or highest ranked school.

It is the environment where a student’s strengths, needs, interests, and independence level align with available support and expectations.

That may be a university, community college, technical program, or another pathway entirely.

Success is finding the right fit for the student.

College & Postsecondary Counseling at Read Write Grow

Read Write Grow provides individualized college and postsecondary counseling for students with learning differences.

We help families move beyond:

“Where can my child get in?”

and toward:

“Where can my child grow, succeed, and thrive?”