How can Occupational Therapy Professionals assist college students that have

Learning Disabilities ?
Summary of Key Findings
Kaylee Kleinsasser , OTAS
DaDeppo, L. (2009). The
Northland Community and Technical College
freshman year survey was used
to measure academic and social
Occupational Therapy Program
Clinical Scenario
As of right now, there are 2.4 million
students (41%) that are diagnosed with a
learning disability that obtain services in the
college setting (Learning Disability Fast Facts,
2014). Studies have shown that students
with learning disabilities have made
improvements over the past few years, but
their GPA still remains below average
(Learning Disability Fast Facts, 2014). Half of
college students with learning disabilities
achieve three grade levels below their
enrolled grade (Success in College, 2014).
The number of college students with learning
disabilities is increasing in two- year and
four- year colleges and universities (Success
in College, 2014). In 1985, the freshman
that were first time or full time students
reported having a learning disability. Today
the number of students with learning
disabilities has doubled to 15 percent to 32
percent (Success in College, 2014). Many
students are not diagnosed with having a
learning disability until they are in there 20s,
30s, or later in life. (Success in College for
Adults with Learning Disabilities (24Limitations
November 2014). When they are diagnosed
Only one Level I study was included.
later in life their academic needs and goals
In the one level 2 study, the students that
have changed.
had a learning disability took a lighter
course load and it took them a year longer
to get their degree.
In the Qualitative study the researcher
was the only one that pulled transcripts
and interpreted the data.
In the Level III study only one of the
participants in the study attended the feefor-service program on campus and the
students had to self-report they had a
learning disability.

Bottom Line
Occupational Therapy Professionals have knowledge to help
support individuals who plan to go to college by
understanding illness, injury and developmental disabilities
that affect participation. They can help with
accommodations and assist students to have a successful
college experience by:
Providing students with training on test taking skills to
help them lower their test anxiety (Holzer, M., Madaus, J.,
Bray, M., & Kehle, T. (2009).
The PIRATES strategy is a technique that can be used for
students that have learning disabilities to help them with
test anxiety:(Holzer, M., Madaus, J., Bray, M., & Kehle, T.
(2009).
Prepare to succeed: Learning the strategy and
possible benefits of using the strategy.
Inspect the instructions: Reading the
instructions carefully.
Read and Remember and Reduce: Teaches ways
to read test questions and make use of
strategies for remembering what they studied.
Answer or Abandon questions: Students are
taught to not dwell on one question.
Turn back: Reminds students that they need to
go back to abandoned questions.
Estimate: Teaches students valuable guessing
and estimating techniques.
Provide instruction on the proper learning techniques
based on the students individual needs to prepare for a
test, such as:
Strategic Instruction model (SIM) provides
instruction on reading, studying, test
performance, note taking and reading
strategies.
Holzer, 2009 found that academic training,
relaxation, tips for more productive cramming,
and study pacing techniques have been
effective interventions.
Provide intervention relating to anxiety, self esteem,
interpersonal skills, as DaPeppo, 2009, reported that
students with a learning disability often show low selfesteem, anxiety, and poor interpersonal skills needed to

integration. The scale found a

total of 18 items and a total of 10
items assessing academic
integration and 10 assessing
social integration with 2 items
overlapping on the scale. . The
results of the study on the FYS
scale social integration and
academic integration scores
ranged from a low of 10 to high
of 40 .When there is higher score
the greater social and academic
integration . A higher score on
the Likert scale means that the
greater the chance to persist at
the university following fall
semester.
Vogel, S, Adelamn, P. (1992).
The students that had learning
disabilities had a lighter course
load and it took them almost a
year longer to complete their
college degree than the other
group.
Holzer, M., Madaus, J., Bray,
M., & Kehle, T. (2009). As the
number of students with learning
disabilities has increased in the
college level the number of
requests for accommodations has
increased. The reason for
accommodations is to allow
students with disabilities to
provide a fair advantage to pass
a course and pass a program of
study.
Hadley, W Dr. (2008). The
college students that have
learning disabilities not only have
the stressors of college they also
have to deal with many unique