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Steven W. Noles, Psy.D.
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LEARNING DISABILITIES
This is an area of
growing concern for athletes for several reasons. First,
student-athletes need to be as efficient with their time as possible
and a learning disability (LD) often means students have to spend more
time on academics than other similarly qualified students in order to
get the same results. Second, an LD problem could interfere with
an athlete's ability to obtain certain qualifying scores on
standardized tests such as the SATs which will complicate the
recruiting process. Third, an LD problem could cause an athlete
to lose eligibility. Fourth, the NCAA is placing more emphasis on
student-athletes achieving in the classroom and is beginning to hold
programs and athletic departments at least partially responsible for
graduation and retention rates. Fifth, LD issues can promote and
perpetuate the myth of the "dumb jock." Sixth, an LD
problem can interfere with an athlete's ability to accurately process
plays and instruction from the coaching staff.
Learning disabled student-athletes are eligible for the same services
as any other learning disabled student but research shows that
student-athletes access services at a much lower rate than other
non-athlete students. There are many reasons for this but what is
important is that student-athletes who struggle in the classroom should
not just accept this as inevitable. A comprehensive
psychological/educational evaluation should be conducted by a qualified
psychologist who is familiar with both NCAA and AHEAD (Association for
Higher Education and Disabilities) guidelines.
Accurate identification and timely interventions keep student-athletes
in school, on the team, and eligible to play creating a win-win-win
scenario for the student-athlete, the team, and the school.
Contact Dr. Noles
to arrange for a consultation about LD and other academic issues.
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