Teenagers with special needs don’t suddenly get better the moment they step foot on a college campus. Parents are still ready to pounce on anyone who even thinks about looking at their kidlet the wrong way.
But after we cut the red tape where do we go from there? Will he or she pass all the classes?
What about the homework? Has my child enrolled in a club? Why is that professor being ugly to my child?
There will be lots of questions, but unless your student is able to find the answer independently, these wonders are better left alone.
Why? Because we are not helping our students if we are helping our students.
“Nobody home, I hope, I hope, I hope”
Like making a sales call for work and hoping no one answers the phone; these students need interaction. Allowing students to meet with the teachers and discuss accommodations or assignments is good practice for future job interviews. There will be plenty of times when our kidlets need to speak up. The more exposure to advocating for him or herself rises the comfort level.
Lowers “street cred”
By now, these students are age 18 or over–adults. Time for these young adults to make some friends, join a club, or hone in on their surroundings and interests. Moms hanging around school reduces the amount of respect from other students.
Inhibits life skills
While college is the “real world” for many, our students are still learning. Handling challenges and taking care of him or herself builds the skills to be successful later on in life.
It is difficult watching our “babies” alone and without representation, but it will be easier watching them succeed.
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