Students with Emotional Disabilities: Responding to Advisors' Concerns and Questions
Students with emotional disabilities are attending institutions of higher education in increasing numbers. Professionals considering appropriate postsecondary classroom accommodations and support may face advising challenges. However, most advisors have little training in responding to the needs of students with emotional disabilities. Answers to eight questions that advisors frequently ask about working with students with emotional disabilities, practical guidelines, and experience-based examples and resolutions are offered.
Contributor Notes
Julie E. Preece, PhD, a licensed psychologist and assistant clinical professor of counseling psychology, is on the clinical faculty of the Counseling and Career Center at Brigham Young University and a consultant to the university's residence life program. Prior to her current position, Julie coordinated services to students with physical impairments in the Services for Students with Disabilities Office. Her research interests include issues and concerns for students with disabilities attending colleges and universities as well as individuals with chronic health issues. Julie has presented at several national and international conferences.
Mark E. Beecher, PhD, a licensed psychologist and assistant clinical professor of counseling psychology, is on the clinical faculty of the Counseling and Career Center at Brigham Young University. Before moving to the university's counseling center, Mark was a learning disability specialist and Coordinator of Educational Assessment and Planning for the University Accessibility Center for 6 years. His research interests include issues and concerns for students with disabilities, Native American academic persistence and career selection, and psychotherapy outcome.
Edward A. Martinelli, Jr., MEd, is Coordinator of Psychodiagnostic Services at the University Accessibility Center at Brigham Young University and a doctoral candidate at Auburn University.
Norman L. Roberts, PhD, associate clinical professor of counseling psychology at Brigham Young University, is currently the administrator of the university's Academic Support Office. His professional experience has included rehabilitation counseling, Director of University Disability Services, and Dean of Student Development at a community college. Current research interests include the identification of university students' academic obstacles and development of effective interventions, which have resulted in several national and regional NACADA presentations.
Interested readers can contact the authors via E-mail. Dr. Preece can be reached at julie_preece@byu.edu, and Dr. Roberts can be contacted at norman_roberts@byu.edu.
