Student-Athletes with Learning Differences or ADHD: Colleges that Offer Real Support
Learning differences like ADHD and dyslexia are more common among student-athletes than many realize. While only a small percentage of college athletes report a documented learning disability, experts believe the real number is significantly higher—often undiagnosed or disclosed only after enrollment. An academic advisor at FSU estimated that a third of her university’s football team had an undiagnosed learning difference.
Why are these challenges so prevalent in sports? Many students who struggle in traditional academic settings thrive in athletic environments that offer structure, movement, and the chance to excel in different ways. For many young athletes, the field, court, or pool becomes a space where they feel confident—even if the classroom has been a source of frustration.
The College Transition: Academic and Athletic Challenges
For families and counselors supporting student-athletes with learning differences, it’s important to understand that the transition to college brings new layers of complexity. ADHD can show up as impulsive decisions in games or difficulties following instructions. A student might struggle to manage time, remember assignments, or adjust to new coaching systems. And research shows these athletes are also at higher risk for injuries like concussions.
For students with dyslexia or other learning disabilities, the challenges may be more academic—difficulty reading playbooks, writing papers, or keeping pace in a demanding college schedule. These struggles can put academic eligibility at risk, especially without early identification and support. Many athletes go undiagnosed until college, at which point the stakes are higher and the adjustment more difficult.
The Upside: Strengths That Drive Success
Learning differences don’t just create obstacles—they also shape strengths that help athletes succeed. ADHD can fuel intense focus on high-interest tasks (like a match or game), quick decision-making, and a high tolerance for pressure. Dyslexic athletes often excel in visual-spatial reasoning and creative problem-solving. These are valuable traits in fast-paced sports and high-level competition.
In fact, some of the most successful athletes in the world—Simone Biles, Michael Phelps, Magic Johnson—have spoken openly about their own ADHD or dyslexia. Their stories offer reassurance to families and serve as proof that these challenges don’t limit potential—they may even unlock it.
What to Look for in a Supportive College Environment
For counselors and families guiding student-athletes through the recruitment process, it’s critical to assess how well a college supports neurodiverse students. Many colleges offer accommodations through a disability support office, but some go a step further—with learning specialists, structured study halls, and academic programs specifically designed for student-athletes with learning differences.
At some institutions, incoming athletes are screened for learning challenges like ADHD or dyslexia during their onboarding process. This proactive approach allows coaches and academic advisors to offer tailored support early—before eligibility or confidence takes a hit.
Families should also ask about communication styles within the athletic department. Do coaches adapt instruction based on different learning styles? Are there academic liaisons for athletes? Is there a culture of trust that makes it safe for students to ask for help?
The best programs recognize that student-athletes are whole people. They see learning differences not as a liability, but as part of the broader picture—and they’re willing to meet students where they are.
Reducing Stigma, Encouraging Advocacy
For many student-athletes, the hardest part isn’t the learning difference itself—it’s the stigma. Some worry that coaches won’t take them seriously or that using accommodations will be viewed as an unfair advantage. Unfortunately, that fear can keep students from disclosing a diagnosis or accessing the resources they need to succeed.
This is where counselors and families play an essential role. Open conversations, encouragement to self-advocate, and reassurance that accommodations are a legal right—not a shortcut—can make a big difference. The most successful student-athletes with ADHD or dyslexia are often the ones who learn to ask for what they need early and confidently.
Final Thought
When navigating the college search and athletic recruiting process, don’t underestimate the importance of fit—not just athletic or academic, but learning support as well. With the right tools, understanding coaches, and proactive planning, student-athletes with learning differences can thrive at the college level—on the field and in the classroom.
Colleges with strong support for students with Learning Differences
Adelphi University has the Center for Academic Support & Enrichment (CASE) Visit site
American University has the Academic Support and Access Center (ASAC) Visit site
Appalachian State University has the Disco Student Learning Center (Student Learning Center) Visit site
Assumption University has the Academic Support Center (ASC) Visit site
Ball State University has the The Learning Center Visit site
Bard College has the Learning Commons Visit site
Beacon College has the Center for Student Success Visit site
Belmont University has the Belmont Learning Centers Visit site
Benedictine University has the Academic Support Center (ASC) Visit site
Binghamton University (SUNY) has the University Tutorial Services (UTS) Visit site
Boston College has the Connors Family Learning Center (CFLC) Visit site
Bowling Green State University has the Falcon Learning Your Way Program (FLY) Visit site
Cal State Univ., Monterey Bay has the Cooperative Learning Center (CLC) Visit site
California Lutheran University has the Center for Student Success (CSS) Visit site
Clark University has the Office of Academic Support Visit site
Coastal Carolina University has the Tutoring & Learning Center (TLC) Visit site
College of Charleston has the Center for Student Learning (CSL) Visit site
Colorado College has the Colket Center for Academic Excellence Visit site
Colorado Mesa University has the Tutorial Learning Center (TLC) Visit site
Colorado Mountain College has the Academic Support (Tutoring & Learning Labs) Visit site
Colorado State University has the The Institute for Learning and Teaching (TILT) Visit site
Connecticut College has the Academic Resource Center (ARC) Visit site
Curry College has the Office of Academic Success Visit site
Dean College has the Morton Family Learning Center Visit site
DePaul University has the Center for Teaching and Learning (Student Success) Visit site
Drexel University has the Center for Learning & Academic Success Services (CLASS) Visit site
Duquesne University has the Michael P. Weber Learning Skills Center Visit site
East Stroudsburg University has the University-Wide Tutorial Program (UWTP) Visit site
Elon University has the Koenigsberger Learning Center (KLC) Visit site
Endicott College has the Division of Academic Success (Academic Success Center) Visit site
Fairleigh Dickinson University has the Academic Support Center (ASC) Visit site
Gordon College has the Academic Success Center (ASC) Visit site
Goucher College has the Academic Center for Excellence (ACE) Visit site
High Point University has the Office of Academic Services Visit site
Hofstra University has the Center for Academic Excellence (CAE) Visit site
University of La Verne has the Academic Success Center (ASC) Visit site
Landmark College has the The Drake Center for Academic Support (DCAS) Visit site
Lesley University has the Tutoring and Academic Success (Center for Academic Achievement) Visit site
Longwood University has the Center for Academic Success Visit site
Lynn University has the Institute for Achievement and Learning (IAL) Visit site
Manhattan College has the Center for Academic Success (CAS) Visit site
Manhattanville College has the Academic Resource Center (ARC) Visit site
Marist College has the Academic Learning Center Visit site
Marquette University has the Academic Resource Center (ARC) Visit site
Marshall University has the Tutoring Services (University College) Visit site
Maryville University has the Division of Student Success (Peer Tutoring & Coaching) Visit site
McDaniel College has the Academic Success Support (Office of Academic Life) Visit site
Mercyhurst University has the Office of Academic Support (Tutoring Center) Visit site
Merrimack College has the Academic Success Center Visit site
Michigan State University has the Learning Resources Center (LRC) Visit site
Mitchell College has the Bentsen Learning Center (BLC) Visit site
Ohio Wesleyan University has the Sagan Academic Resource Center (ARC) Visit site
University of the Ozarks has the Jones Learning Center (JLC) Visit site
Portland State University has the The Learning Center Visit site
Prescott College has the Writing & Tutoring Center Visit site
Rhode Island College has the Academic Success Center (ASC) Visit site
Rhodes College has the Academic Support – Barret Library Learning Commons Visit site
Rider University has the Academic Success Center Visit site
Saint Michael’s College has the Academic Support Services (Teaching & Learning Center) Visit site
Schreiner University has the Dick and Mary Lewis Kleck Academic Success Center Visit site
Southern Methodist University has the Altshuler Learning Enhancement Center (ALEC) Visit site
Springfield College has the Academic Success Center Visit site
Saint Anselm College has the Academic Resource Center (ARC) Visit site
St. John’s University has the University Learning Commons Visit site
Stony Brook University (SUNY) has the Academic Success & Tutoring Center Visit site
Syracuse University has the Center for Learning and Student Success (CLASS) Visit site
Temple University has the Student Success Center Visit site
Texas Tech University has the SOAR – Support Operations for Academic Retention Visit site
University of Massachusetts (Amherst) has the Learning Resource Center (LRC) Visit site
UNC Asheville has the Peer Academic Support Center Visit site
UNC Chapel Hill has the Learning Center Visit site
UNC Greensboro has the Academic Achievement Center Visit site
Union College (NY) has the Academic Opportunity & Achievement (Institute for Student Success) Visit site
University of Arizona has the SALT Center (Strategic Alternative Learning Techniques) Visit site
University of Colorado Boulder has the Academic Success & Tutorial Services (ASTS) Visit site
UC Colorado Springs has the Academic Advising & Tutoring (Student Success) Visit site
University of Dayton has the Office of Learning Resources (OLR) Visit site
University of Denver has the Learning Effectiveness Program (LEP) Visit site
University of Delaware has the Office of Academic Enrichment Visit site
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has the Division of Academic Success & Tutoring Visit site
University of Iowa has the Academic Support & Retention (Tutor Iowa) Visit site
University of Maryland College Park has the Academic Achievement Programs (AAP) Visit site
University of New Hampshire has the Center for Academic Resources (CFAR) Visit site
University of New Mexico has the Center for Academic Program Support (CAPS) Visit site
Northern Arizona University has the Academic Success Centers Visit site
University of Portland has the Learning Commons Visit site
University of Puget Sound has the Center for Writing, Learning, & Teaching Visit site
University of Redlands has the Academic Success Center Visit site
University of Vermont has the Center for Academic Success Visit site
Western Colorado University has the Academic Resource Center Visit site
Western Washington University has the Tutoring Center & Academic Advising (Student Success) Visit site
Westmont College has the Academic & Disability Services (formerly CLL) Visit site
Wheaton College (MA) has the Filene Center for Academic Advising & Career Services Visit site
Willamette University has the Learning Commons & Academic Support Visit site
