Of the 8, lack of time, lack of knowledge, establishing identity independent of disability status, and a feeling that things were going well (or lack of recognition that things were not going well) were cited as being the most prevalent of the themes.

Prevalent Themes for Not Making Initial Contact

Moving from the early group to the late group, students became less bale to recall transition orientation and reported more significant lack of preparation. A common source of information among groups was, notably, fellow high school students.

Transition Services into College for Students with LD

- Lack of information about procedures that needed to be followed
- Lack of information about services provided by ODS
- Lack of information about one’s disability
 
***These subcategories had especially high percentages for students in the later ODS contact group than those in the later freshman year contact group.

Lack of knowledge Subcategories

Table 3 taken from study by Lightner, et. al. (2012, p. 153), reference attached below, depicting percentages of students by group (early, later freshmen, and late) that looked to differing sources of information on college.

Various Sources Utilized by University Students with LD for Information on College (Photo from Lightner, et. al.)

Table 2 taken from study by Lightner, et. al. (2012, p. 151), reference attached below, depicting percentages of students in late freshmen and late groups that listed differing reasons for delayed initial contact with ODS.

Reasons Sources Listed by University Students (Late Freshmen and Late Groups) with LD Regarding Delayed Initial Contact with ODS (Photo from Lightner, et. al.)

Many of the eight themes were discussed in more detail within the article itself using direct testimonial from its student interviewees. Such comments may be useful for a more nuanced look at their throughout processes for seeking/not seeking services.

Eight Identified Themes for Not Making Initial Contact Included in Testimonials

- Lack of time
- Lack of knowledge
- Identity
- Things Going Well
- Cost/Hassle of Testing
- ODS Assistance Regarded as “Cheating”
- Shame 
- Scheduling Conflicts

University of Notre Dame

Reasons for initial contact with ODS mainly surrounded academic problems. Students that made later contact with ODS often after failing grade in a critical course for their major, an overall low GPA, a difficulty in completing assignments within the time limits, and other GPA-related activity concerns. Students that made early contact stated they did so due to prior arrangements by others and for a desire for accommodations. Majority of students also indicated the involvements of others (parents, faculty members, partners, friends, etc.) in their decision to seek services More than one reason was stated for not making initial contact with ODS.

Data on Reasons for Initial Contact with ODS

Lightner, K. L., Kipps-Vaughan, D., Schulte, T., & Trice, A. D. (2012). Reasons University Students with a Learning Disability Wait to Seek Disability Services. Journal of Postsecondary Education and Disability, 25(2), 145–159. 

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