Finessing the Academic and Social-Emotional Balance: A Revised Developmental Advising Model for Students with Learning Disabilities or AD/HD

Advisor perceptions of and responses to the social and emotional needs of college students with learning disabilities (LDs) and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD) are studied. Through a mixed-method approach of surveys and focus groups, four themes emerged: social-emotional issues that students present in the advising relationship; advisor challenges and responses to presenting issues; sources of advisor support; and monitoring of student medication. Data support a revised and expanded developmental advising model that includes the complex layering of social and emotional challenges that face students with LDs or AD/HD and the factors that keep this complex domain in balance with academic and career exploration. The revised model may also be useful for advisors whose students have any social or emotional challenges.