Learning Disabilities Program

Guide to LD Services

The following is a list of LD Program support services and how best to access them

Academic Counseling

  • Go to the Center for Students with Disabilities (CSD/DSPS) or contact the office at DSPS@smc.edu or by phone at 310-434-4265.
  • Make an appointment with an academic counselor to discuss which courses to take.
  • Ask to make a 2-3 year education plan.
  • Ask to be placed on the Priority Enrollment List.

Alternate Media

  • Contact LD@smc.edu to fill out a request form with a learning specialist at the LD Program
  • The request form for alternative media (audio books or e-text) will be sent by a learning specialist to the High Tech Center (HTTC) located at Student Services Building 159 through email in order to make an appointment. Plan ahead. This can take a while    
  • Make an appointment with a High Tech Center specialist to discuss technology options that can help with reading, writing, note taking, and organization of ideas.
  • Classes on how to use technology are offered.
  • Drop-in hours are offered where access to computers and technical help is available.

Note Takers

  • Ask your LD Counselor for help with note taking.
  • The Professor will read an announcement asking for a volunteer to take notes. The note taker will bring a copy of the notes to the Center for Students with Disabilities (DSPS) office for copying or send it to DSPS@smc.edu via email. The note taker does not know who you are unless you wish to reveal your identity.
  • You will be sent the notes through email
  • If no one has responded to the note taker request in a week’s time, ask the professor to read the announcement again to the class.

High Tech Center

  • •Send the request form for alternative media (audio books) to the High Tech Center (HTTC) located at Student Services Building 159 through email in order to make an appointment.
  • Make an appointment with a High Tech Center specialist to discuss technology options that can help with reading, writing, note taking, and organization of ideas.
  • Classes on how to use technology are offered.
  • Drop-in hours are offered where access to computers and technical help is available.

Priority Enrollment

  • For Fall and Spring Semesters only
  • This entitles you to second or third day enrollment
  • This should happen automatically. If it doesn't, contact LD@smc.edu

LD Program Study Assistance

  • Come in and study individually or with a group
  • Appointment hours with LD instructional assistants are available. Sign up in person or through LD@smc.edu
  • Come with specific questions in mind, assignments, or a rough draft

Study Strategies Classes

  • Get schedule at LD program or email us for a schedule, find in schedule of classes, or look on the website
  • These meet twice a week for 8 weeks (Counseling 51, 53, 52, 54, 56, 57, and 12H)
  • These workshops should be taken along with an academic class in order to be able to apply the strategies learned

Test Proctoring

  • Complete the accommodation request form by requesting the link through email at LD@smc.edu or seeing us in person so we can help guide you to the electronic form. Doing this allows you to make sure your accommodations are set up through the LD Office and your instructor. Try to do this at the beginning of the semester or session.
  • Make an appointment with the proctor room to schedule a time to take your test by filling out the reservation form at: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=itqVvqtndEWiku655WlKaSD_d99ps29No44Zz8odH-1UMzhSRlFIV1JQRTVXQkZaTEtPTjhDQUdEVyQlQCN0PWcu.
  • Complete the Testing Accommodation Appointment Form, a few days before or at least 48 Business hours before the test.
  • Go to the Proctor Room (SS 163) at the scheduled time (unless you have made other arrangements with the professor) to take your test.
  • Remember that the Proctor room is only open Monday-Thursday 8AM to 5PM and on Fridays from 8AM to 3PM during Fall and Spring semesters. Winter and Summer sessions it is open Monday-Thursday 8AM to 4PM and on Fridays from 8AM to 1PM You will have to make arrangements to take the test earlier or later if your test is outside of these hours.
  • When you schedule your classes, consider not taking 3 back-to-back classes where extended test taking time may conflict with the next class.

Tutoring

  • If available, students are provided with two hours of free tutoring a week. The tutoring is primarily for English and Math; some other subjects take time to locate so plan ahead.
  • Inquire about tutoring from your LD specialist.
  • The counselor will check with the tutoring coordinator to see if there is tutoring for your class.
  • Be on time to your tutoring appointments and call if you can’t make it to your session.
  • There are many tutoring options available on campus, use them!
  • Come prepared to these appointments
  • Call if you can't make it. Be responsible!  Reach us at LD@smc.edu or call 310-434-4684

Consultation with LD Specialist

If you are having difficulty in any of your classes, make an appointment to see a LD specialist for diagnosing problems and finding solutions.

Assessment

Before a student can receive LD support services, they must have documentation of a learning disability be approved or be evaluated to determine eligibility for the program. Assessment classes are offered to student’s who do not have documentation or if there is a problem with their documentation. Students discover their learning strengths and weaknesses through a series of tasks. Both academic and thinking skills are assessed during this process. The Learning Disabilities Specialist will interpret testing results and make individual recommendations on how to improve learning and study strategies.