Boston University's Learning Disability Services (LDS) serves students, faculty and staff who have learning disabilities, attention deficit disorders and other psychological or cognitive disabilities. LDS works with Boston University's Schools and Colleges to ensure that academic accommodations are effective and consistent with the fundamental requirements of all University programs.
Who We Are and What We Do
- LDS is a resource for individuals with learning disabilities, attention deficit disorders and other psychological, or cognitive disabilities.
- LDS offers direct services and technical assistance and serves as an information resource for the Boston University community.
- LDS provides information to individuals and institutions nationwide that serve college students with learning disabilities, attention deficit disorders, and other psychological or cognitive disabilities.
Philosophy
As part of the Office of Disability Services, LDS is committed to working with individuals with disabilities to facilitate access to all aspects of University life. LDS's primary objective is to foster academic excellence, personal responsibility and leadership growth in students with learning, attention, or other psychological or cognitive disabilities.
LDS is also committed to promoting self-advocacy and to ensuring that qualified students with learning disabilities, attention deficit disorders, and other psychological or cognitive disabilities may function independently within the academic, social and recreational environment of a competitive university.
Self-Advocacy and Self-determination
Successful adults with disabilities demonstrate self-awareness, self-understanding and self-advocacy. Students therefore must develop personal and interpersonal skills that will serve them throughout their lives. These skills include the ability to understand their own profile of learning strengths and weaknesses, to discuss their disability and its functional impact, to develop effective strategies and to negotiate appropriate accommodations. Since few students arrive on campus with such skills, LDS supports ongoing development in these areas through individual and group sessions.
Programs and Service Overview
- Academic accommodations
- Individual support & consultation
- Comprehensive strategy tutoring
- Information on and assistance with Adaptive and Assistive Technology
- Coordination with other student services, including tutoring & mental health
- Professional referrals for evaluation & treatment
- Highly trained staff with full-time Clinical Director, and a team of part-time Learning Specialists and LD Strategy Tutors.
More About Our Services
Academic Accommodations
Once a student is registered with LDS, personalized and ongoing support services are provided, including access to accommodations for which the student is eligible. LDSS professional staff works with students on a case-by-case basis to accommodate their documented diagnosis and current academic needs. Individual consultation with LDS staff encourages direct student input in the accommodation process. LDS also works with the student's School, College or program to secure approval for accommodations and will assist the student in communicating with faculty to ensure that accommodations are implemented. LDS understands that college is a period of cognitive and personal development, and its staff is available to meet with students to discuss changes in academic accommodations and learning needs.
Enhanced Services
Comprehensive Strategy Tutoring
Students who desire enhanced support services may enroll in the LDS Comprehensive Strategy Tutoring Program, a fee-based program that offers weekly one-on-one tutoring with a learning specialist or LD strategy tutor. Tutoring covers a variety of topics, including writing development, critical reading and reading comprehension, notetaking, study skills, examination strategies, time management and organization. Tutoring objectives are tailored to address the student's individual learning profile, academic program and personal goals. A flexible strategy plan is developed in collaboration with the student, the tutor, and LDS. To learn more about this program, please contact the Office of Disability Services at (617) 353-3658 or access@bu.edu.
Boston University recognizes that students with disabilities can succeed when provided with appropriate support services and accommodations. LDS's professional staff is experienced in providing services and accommodations to assist Boston University students. Academic accommodations are provided to students with disabilities to assist them in meeting academic and program requirements and to ensure full access to campus life. College, School or program requirements are not waived, and substitutions for required courses are not provided.
Students with disabilities apply for admission to Boston University through the Office of Undergraduate Admissions and must meet the general criteria for acceptance. Once a student with a learning disability, attention deficit disorder, psychological, or cognitive disability is accepted to the University, he or she should then contact LDS to discuss services. LDS welcomes and encourages visits during pre-admission tours and open houses to discuss our policies and documentation requirements.
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