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PRIVATE CONSULTING

Every teen with a learning disability has a distinct set of strengths and weaknesses, making a “one-size-fits-all” prescription for success ineffective.

Parents need post secondary guidance specifically tailored to their teen’s needs. Sadly, high schools (even the best ones that exclusively teach students with LD) are so focused on subject matter and college admission, that strategies for college retention fall through the cracks.

High schools’ emphasis on college admission is misplaced; nowadays, there is a college for everyone.

The challenge for our kids is STAYING in college–succeeding in an alien system that pulls the security rug out from under them and challenges everything about school as they’ve known it..

What makes retention so difficult for students with disabilities?

1. Increased freedom
2. Desire to navigate without support
3. Poor time management skills
4. Lack of study skills
5. Misconceptions about the college system …. and
6. Poor college fit

These are just some of the factors contributing to the extremely high failure rate among our teens.

Failure for my son, however, was not an option. He had come too far.

In 2006, after working as a Learning Specialist at a local college for 13 years and witnessing one calamity after another, I was frustrated. Back in 1993, when I was hired, there were many graduations. I decided to go back and examine the circumstances and behaviors behind these success stories.

Once I codified the factors that differentiated these students, I knew it was time to resign and begin my own private practice.

Today, through private work with families locally (and across the country through phone and Skype), I proactively teach strategies that bode for college success. Based on documentation (psychoeducational evaluation), as well as information from parents and teens, I map out a course that best prepares students for college’s unique challenges.

I promise–your teen will NOT be blind-sided upon crossing the threshold.

Not only will your teen be armed with a GPS system that bodes for success, YOU will benefit by making a much sounder investment–one that is far more likely to yield a return.

Well-intentioned, educated parents feel they owe their teens an education, and most are willing to finance tuition expenses second in size only to the cost of their homes– only to lose it all for reasons that can be prevented!

Yes, college is expensive, but successful graduation is the best predictor of better future income. The only thing more expensive than tuition is college failure. I feel for students who finance college with loans and then fail. Now, they have loans to repay with interest and are relegated to the same low-paying jobs. They are worse off than had they never tried.

I invite you to read my endorsements on LinkedIn. Click on “View Full Profile” for recommendations. Upon request, I am happy to put you in touch personally with colleagues or former clients.

Call Joan Azarva at 215 620-2112 for further information.