Students who have the following personal qualities are much more likely to thrive in college.

* Self-awareness and self-acceptance
* Proactivity as opposed to reactivity
* Perseverance
* Skill in setting short and long-range goals
* Use of effective support systems
* Strong emotional coping strategies

Children with special needs have experienced more frustration and academic failure than most other children. Yet, some of them become successful college students who graduate with a specialty in a chosen field.

Sadly, most do not. Only about 57 percent of students with disabilities graduate from high school, and only about 10 to 15 percent of those graduating attend college.

What are some reasons students succeed in college? How can parents help their child be among those who accomplish this challenging undertaking?

Most Americans do not take bullying seriously. Sadly, school personnel don’t take it seriously either. One of the most common myths about bullying is that it is “normal” and “everybody does it.” Nothing could be further from the truth.

Children with special needs may become the victim of a bully. If your child has been, or is, being victimized, he or she feels alone, unsafe and may even feel the victimization is justified. The effects of bullying impact mental and physical health and academic performance, often for many years after the actual incidents occur.

Is doing homework at night stressing out you and your child? Imagine a peaceful evening with no yelling, crying or ripping up pages. Learn how to end the homework battles once and for all.

Organization is a skill we learn, but kids with disabilities have lots of trouble learning to be organized. There are some strategies we can help them learn to be organized and independent.

It was a hot, sticky afternoon in Mrs. Hall’s 5th grade classroom. The students were sleepy and Mrs. Hall was convinced they weren’t paying attention. Mrs. Hall knew that listening is an active, conscious process that has a huge impact on learning. She realized there were strategies she could use to wake up the students’ brains, interest and ability to listen.

Self-belief is an important factor in a student's ability to achieve academic success.

Children who live with failure experience negative feelings such as shame, isolation, and anger. These students need guidance to develop personal skills that support their success. According to research conducted by the Frostig Center in Pasadena, six personal attributes form the core characteristics that contribute to success for special needs students. Successful individuals do not necessarily have all six of these qualities.

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