Students with learning disabilities face lower graduation rates

For students with learning disabilities at Ole Miss, graduation may come later than expected, if it comes at all.

"In 3rd grade, I was diagnosed with dyslexia and ADHD." John Michael Herrera, an accounting student at Ole Miss, stated in an interview. 

According to recent data from disabilitystatistics.org, in 2011 only 12.5 percent of those with a learning disability ages 21-64 had a bachelor’s degree or higher nationwide, compared to 31.2 percent of those without a disability.

Stacey Reycraft, the Director of Student Disability Services at Ole Miss, believes this number deserves a lot more research, and stated that the university has become recently aware of this problem.

“That’s a very significant discrepancy,” Reycraft said. “We are just beginning the process of looking at retention, persistence and graduation rates for students registered with Student Disability Services.”

“Accommodations are provided on an individualized basis.  We are required by law to look at each individual student and how the disability impacts that student,” she added.

Dr. Karen Kellum, a psychologist specializing in behavioral analysis at Ole Miss, believes that although the statistics show a large difference nationally, students with learning disabilities can only be treated accurately on a case by case basis.

“Every student is different, Each person has unique challenges and abilities,” Kellum said.

Kellum added that, on occasion, faculty may not even be aware that they are teaching a disabled student.

“Many people are diagnosed with 'hidden' disabilities or psychological illnesses, things you can't see just by looking at someone, but instead have to be observed in unique situations to detect.” She said.

“Faculty are often not even aware of these diagnoses.”

John Michael Herrera, a junior accounting student at Ole Miss, suffers from ADHD and dyslexia. His interview gave some insight into what it’s like to compete against students without learning disabilities.

“School was very difficult for me growing up and still can be to this day,” Herrera said. “In 3rd grade I was falling behind in class on everything. As I kept slipping behind, the teachers at the school suggested to my parents that I be tested for a learning disability.  About a week later I was diagnosed with dyslexia and ADHD.”

Herrera went on to describe how he was transferred to Shelton Middle School, a school specially trained in helping children with learning disabilities. He stated that while he was there, he was given a prescription for Adderal, a commonly prescribed medicine for those with ADHD. While Herrera says that the medication has helped him to succeed academically, he does seem to have mixed feelings towards it.

“I was put on 25mg XR Adderal,” he said. “When I take it I literally transform into someone else and can't think about anything else but the work I have to do.”

“As someone who has been on Adderal for a long time I will say that I feel like I have become dependent on it, however, I have trouble talking down about something that ultimately got me through school.”

Stacey Reycraft added that, while the university offers programs for students, whether or not students succeed is not entirely in their hands.

“I think we do an excellent job on this campus working with students who have disabilities,” Reycraft said. 

“Like any college and any student though, some students may not thrive here.  We require that students be proactive and able to self-advocate.  So for students with disabilities who are independent and motivated, this is a great place to attend college.”

Sources: Stacey Reycraft, (662) 915-7128, sds@olemiss.edu

                Karen Kellum, (662) 915-5199, kkellum@olemiss.edu

                John Michael Herrera, (214)384-6101, johnmichaelherrera13@gmail.com