Postsecondary Education Options for Students with Intellectual Disabilities. Research to Practice. Issue 45

Exiting high school is an exciting and tense experience for all students and families. But when students with intellectual disabilities consider what will happen next, the possibility of college is usually not promoted as a viable option. This needs to change. Receiving a college education and experiencing that very exciting time in life is as beneficial for students with intellectual disabilities as for students without. The growth that students experience in college can be measured in a number of areas, including academic and personal skill-building, employment, independence, self-advocacy, and self-confidence. For students with intellectual disabilities, this growth is also reflected in increased self-esteem when they begin to see themselves as more similar to than different from their peers without disabilities. Being part of campus life, taking classes (whether auditing or for credit), and learning to navigate a world of high expectations develops the skills needed for successful adult life. When we keep college in the mix of possibilities as students with intellectual disabilities explore which steps to take after high school, it makes the statement that we believe in their potential for success. This brief presents the following information about postsecondary education for students with intellectual disabilities:Definitions of “postsecondary education” and “intellectual disability, an overview of postsecondary education options, research findings on current knowledge of postsecondary education options and outcomes, with recommendations for improving access to postsecondary education, and a bibliography, including a list of websites