Are those of you taking college classes receiving accomodations through the school?



If not , why aren't you?



Are you aware that you are ellible to receive them under the A.D.A.?

http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/adahom1.htm



What type of accomodations are you receiving?

I'm checking out the ADA home page...thanks Tara!

Wondering if the same applies for post-college classes.

I think it does but I'm not surel

Here is the number for The ADA Info line. I bet they would know.

(800)514 - 0301

Thanks!!! :D

Grad schools also provide accomodations. I took a few grad courses in 99 and 2000 and recieved information that any accomodations needed i only had to ask. I never asked, but they were willing to get me books on tape, so that says something right there.

It's an embarrassing and touchy subject...my school has no official student with disabilities office and in fact all of these matters are handled by the Dean...(great).....so never requested any for exams in my major....BUT had to recently for exam that wasn't related to my major....because it was brand new material and my ADD brain had not been able to learn/process it in the short 10 week period it was given as it had been type of subject where material is veru cumulative (each subject matter builds on previous material learned)....it's tough...SO in this instance extra time for exam would not have been enough....simple as that...and I always sit WAY apart from my peers anyway....but asked for exam to be take-home....and teacher did accommodate this....she allowed me to make most of it in her office open book....of course felt guilty...etc....but I knew deep down it was fair....I was now on equal ground with my peers who was taking it in class. Joan

I am in the process of getting my accom0dations. I was in program where I did very well the University doesn't even give any test it's all projects and papers. It's private University too which means its cost more. So after taking a break from tha program I decided to go to a comminuty college to finish up my core classes because they are fraction of the price of the University.

The Community college is the exact opposite of the University it's almost all tests with very little papers and so far no projects. Of course I started out with out having any accomodations in place. Part of it was my stubborness and part of it is my problem with avoidance and procrastination.

After a few weeks into the semester I did email the LD department saying that I had AD/HD and asked what I needed for documentation to receive accomdations. He replied back telling me to come in. I was so aggrivated that he couldn't give me answer via email. Plus i had to actually go to the office to make and appointment to see him....

I guess he really doesn't know to0 much about AD/HD. If he did he would have realized that doing those thing which seem simple to non-ADDer can be a HUGE challenge for us.

So I went along my "merry way" through my classes. I didn't do very well on my 1st exam. Of course I still convinced myself that it was my fault because I didn't study enough or the correct way. So, when it came time for the 2nd exam I studied differently. I still didn't do well on the exam.

It just amazes me that with all that I know about AD/HD and other LD ( I was special Ed Tutor) that I can still think it's my fault. The truth is that the classes and tests are not set up to match they way I learn.

So, I am no in the process of going through a psychoeducation evalution with my psychologist because I am sure that there are more LDs there than just AD/HD. This time I want ALL the accomodation that I am entitled to. I will be using them whether I need them or not.

I found out that I am eligible to ask for ADA accomodations on my upcoming certification test. They want an e-mail from me, requesting the type of accomodation I want.

Question: What accomodation should I ask for? What works best for ADDers? Having never had this available to me in college (I wasnt diagnosed until I was out of college), I just don't know what to ask for.

I called the ADA number that Tara provided (thank you) and after a hurried discussion with the ADA person, she referred me to Pat Lilly of the Learning Disorder Association (919-929-3607) Who was very helpful in talking me through what kind of accomodations I thought would be helpful for me.

I submitted the request to the testing organization today, and will let you know what they say. I asked for a computer-based test (versus paper test booklet and bubble sheet) along with extended time.

I'll keep you all updated :)

I started a few new classes this week....and was glad to see that right on the syllabus of one of the classes it specifically stated where anyone with a disability could go if they needed to request accomodations...I had not seen that on any syllabi at my school up until now...and it's my last quarter...go figure...

Joan:)

I currently attend Western Illinois University and I receive accommodations the Disability Support Services office has become a life saver for me. I have received over the past semester this services include extra test time on tests, sometimes I’ve gotten books on tape(especially when I’m overwhelmed with lots of reading), and personal one on one tutors. Last but not least perhaps the most helpful is like “ADD coach” They have helped me prepare for tests with different studying skills. They have helped me get an effective organization system. Helped be stay motivated, and when I’m feeling overwhelmed. The accommodations they have provided have been GREAT I highly recommend you get in touch with your schools office that deals with disabilities. I couldn’t have done it without them they are true heroes.

Not having had a disabilities office at my school....I sort of have taken this issue into my own hands....smaller schools may not have disabililty offices. THe dean of my school is the one we are supposed to go to if we are seeking accomodations. After sharing about my ADD with the head of my department and a few other professors, I did not want to share about my ADD with the dean. I knew that as long as the department knew about my ADD, I would be in a position to ask for accomodations when I needed them. INcidentally, a letter from your doctor is always crucial....Basically I've been "accomodated"....except for one exam that I had really had to fight to allow it to be a takehome exam for me as I knew I'd never pass it if it were in-class. But fought it I did and all was okay....I ended up with a B- for the class...oh well...It's been important for me to take some responsibility for this stuff....getting to class on time, sitting in front, bringing a tape-recorder, asking for extensions on papers if needed, sitting in my own corner of the room during an exam, asking the teachers questions if I didn't understand something and asking as soon as I knew I didn't understand something...not waiting...and not caring what the rest of the class thought....I found that many of my questions I would bring up in class -- the others wanted to know the same information...! AND at the same time, not impulsively raise my hand every second...because that's not good either. It also helped not to take a full course load...I never took as many classes as my peers...and maintaing good rapport with teachers is also helpful.

One other thing...in reading long chapters....it helped me to take little notes along the way.....in fact one teacher insisted we prepare a little 4"-6" notecard with a summary of each chapter. She thought material would be better retained. (and she doesn't have a clue about ADD)....:)

Joan is right make sure you have the documentation of your AD/HD or other LD from your Dr or the professional that diagnosed you.

Make sure you keep a copy of it for yourself.

I just finished my first semester with accomidations. Basically what I need is coaching and a little bit longer on essay tests. The school I have been at doesn't offer coaching and I wasn't taking classes with very many essay exams, but it was good to have my teachers know what's wrong with me.

Everyone was very nice and asked how they could help me, which made me feel more comfortable about asking for the help that students normally ask for, but it is obvious that I need a coach. I am now trying to contact one that was reccomended to me, but I am not having much luck. I am going to try calling her again this week. :sigh:

I have 1.5x more for exams and tests and private space.
It helps a LOT with the distractions aspect and lessens the stress. I can take breaks to look out the window, stretch etc.

I record my lectures on a digital recorder... and I wasn't really getting aroudn to listening to them, but I have finally found a tutor who helped me develop a system that works for me in terms of studying.

She is a graduate student, and she's not tutoring me in the specific subject, but rather in organizing my study time. Just by luck I guess, her major is counselling psychology!

I had three other tutors, and they weren't really what I was looking for...

My suggestion is to ask for a graduate student if possible (the Disability Resource Centre hires students as tutors), and if you can, get someone who is majoring in counselling, or counselling psychology, special education, cognitive psychology etc.

What helped with me the most is to:
1)list my worries... this usually lead to a list of what I want to have/achieve, have set out for me
2) make a list of questions that I can ask myself when I get lost in the process (eg: essay writing: where am I in my outline? is that what I'm writing?does this sentence relate back to my thesis? how? have I explained how it does?)
3)make checklists:
eg: topic, with boxes across to tick off for: main headings from text, minor headings from text, main headings from lecture, study guide (CD ROM), definition, review 1 hr, review 24hrs, review 1 week.
I start with the main topic from the outline. I find the chapter in the text and make an outline with major headings only.
I then go back and add the subtopic headings. Then I go and find the lecture headings... and add those if they don't fit in with the text headings. I write in definitions, check the study guide and then add details.

I type all this up, and I do it in chunks, NOT in one sitting.
Since it's on the computer, it's faster and it looks more organized, and I can change the coordination of the size and font if I need to, to make it easier to read and learn.

Since it's going from braod to specific, I can see the whole picture, and see how it breaks down bit by bit,,, the process of thisis what helps me learn it and put it into context. It helps me organize where everything is. If I get lost, I can just take a step back... "seeing" it develop before my eyes as I create it really helped me out. Each time I go back to add the information, it's another review of the information, so I'm finding that I dont' really need to study as much.

I generally try to have the major outlines done for the chapr before class... but this is forgiving...
The task of making ("finding") the outline from all the mess of text and notes is a challenge and actually fun...

OK I got off topic.. sorry.
~M

I am very grateful for the disability offices at most universities. Not only were they extremely helpful, but I finally met people who understood or had similar ADD issues. I have been set up with textbooks on tape at RFBD and a special tapedeck (old 4 track technology) through the US Gov. Braille and Talking Book Library. They also have CD's at RFBD. This is my second attempt at college, after a very unsucessful attempt in the 1980's, and I'm doing pretty well so far. Unfortunately, I am having a problem with migraine headaches and cannot seem to find a medication for ADD that doesn't contribute to my headache problem. Naturally, being a 40some year old with comorbidities and radically fluctuating hormones...doesn't help.

Jwelk: Welcome to the forums....I don't have any suggestions about meds that won't contribute to your migraines....does your doctor have any suggestions?? Also, sometimes some of the side effects of the meds go away after awhile....such as headaches....


Anyway, good for you for having the courage to return to school a second time...in your 40's....I did the same thing and appreciated it SOOO much more the second time.....

What meds have you tried? I used to have migraines ALL THE TIME! When I was younger I did try stimulant meds and none of them made my migraines any worse. The med side effect is usually headaches but not migraines.

Do you get migraines daily or just once in awhile? Maxalt is nice if its just once in awhile. Otherwise they have other meds they use as preventitives.. like nortriptyline... which is sometimes, but not often, used for ADD.

I got accommodations in law school but it was a state school. It might be different in private universities. There were two things—I was allowed to take exams away from everyone else (and their noise) and I was given more time.

I remember a conversation I had with the girl who ended up being number one in the class. She complained that even something as simple as being separated from the other students during exams was a ‘huge advantage’ and that it was just so unfair to students like her who had to work hard! Meanwhile she carried a 4.0 GPA throughout the 3 years and I was lucky to break 3.0! Some huge advantage that turned out to be. :rolleyes:

Just a note to any Canadian readers out there, the college I went to told me I was entitled to a lot of the same kind of support...

They would have given me tutoring, test accommodations, assignment deadline flexibility, and a Palm Pilot. In addition to free ADD/ADHD testing and diagnosis.

I had accomodations while in high school. I was able to type all my tests. This helped A LOT. I went through my first year of college hoping i wouldnt need to ask for help. But in the end that was a terribble idea, 2 Ds and 2 Fs in one semester. This year i am able to type tests again and currently have 3 Bs and 1 C. I also have note takers, which i think i need to stop, although i know theyre paid, i feel like im taking advantage of the system, more than a few times i have blwon off classes or just completely zoned out because i know someone is taking notes for me. I think i will switch to tape recorders.

does anyone know how to get textbooks on tape? I just learned they exist. I always dreamed of books on tape so i could walk around while studying. Whenever i study with friends i always pace around in circles, i feel like it really helps.

Technically I'm registered for accommodations, but I don't really use them. I can get extra time on tests, but honestly the only time I need extra test time is when I don't know all the material on the exam and need to think up nonsense in my head to put down (I'm really anal about leaving things blank on tests).

One thing that I realized though, is after I was put on Adderall I had to teach myself how to apply the material I'd learned in class to different situations. Up until that point I'd subconciously got into a bad habit of learning by rote memorization, which was a coping mechanism to help me on tests. However I was so used to the rote memorization method that I had virtually NO CLUE how to apply what I'd learned or do critical thinking. I guess maybe it would've been better if someone had told me that right when I was diagnosed, but there's nothing I can do about it now.

As far as accommodations go, my school only provides the bare minimum - they can't even provide decent parking for the general student population, forget about special accommodations for Learning Disabilities and such. I guess I could take legal action if I wanted to, but I don't care enough to do that. I just want to GRADUATE and GET OUT of the state of South Carolina. I hate it here.

Well I am back in college now and I was diagnose this summer with LD and mild neurocognitive disorder due to epilepsy. I wonder if that is a fancy way of saying ADHD? hhhmmmm?
When I started the semester I had all the paper work in order with the Dean of Student, she deals with student with learning differences. We sat down during an appointment and we agreed upon 1.5 time for true and false and multiple choice test and doulbe time for essay and math calculations. I also have a note taker for certain classed and receive power point and transpences foro the lecture if the instructor uses them in class. I am entitled to sit in the front row and tape my lectures. My one instructor give me his notes to copy. I have anumber for the department and am allowed to copy for free my notes form the note takers.

i have only been offered accommodation for TESTING, which is putting the Cart before the Horse. (I don't need more time in exams; i am not SLOW; if anything, i am too FAST, rushing thru questions impulsively w/o _READING THE QUESTION_.)

i need accommodation WHILE I AM LEARNING, not just AT THE END of the course with TESTING.


Why do no Disability Offices appreciate this about ADD?

Emma
:)

i have only been offered accommodation for TESTING, which is putting the Cart before the Horse. (I don't need more time in exams; i am not SLOW; if anything, i am too FAST, rushing thru questions impulsively w/o _READING THE QUESTION_.)

i need accommodation WHILE I AM LEARNING, not just AT THE END of the course with TESTING.


Why do no Disability Offices appreciate this about ADD?

Emma
:)
Ahahahahaha, they used to have a "Study Skills Program" at the student disability office at my school (which I would've benefited GREATLY from), but they did away with it because of budget cuts. So yeah, I've had to basically teach myself how to study better via books from Barnes and Noble and the like. All I can say is, thank god I don't have a Learning Disability on top of the ADD, or I'd really be in hot water. Although, it almost seems like those with LD get more help from schools than those with just ADD...

..(I don't need more time in exams; i am not SLOW; if anything, i am too FAST, rushing thru questions impulsively w/o _READING THE QUESTION_.)

i need accommodation WHILE I AM LEARNING, not just AT THE END of the course with TESTING.


Why do no Disability Offices appreciate this about ADD?

Emma
:)

Dr. Russell Barkley, a leading expert on ADHD, has come to same conclusion. Why give ADHD students more time? It's not a processing deficit.

Schools up here in Canada offer free tutoring to identified students. Better accommodations for ADHD students is to reduce the length of the test, have someone explain directions, and check over work for careless errors.

Well, each school is different, and that can be a problem when you have people from all over the U.S. and Canada on here trying to relate to each other about school issues.

I have not received Course Accommodations, except for at the end of the course (Exam Accommodations).

The Disability Department at my University is awful, though. I would not recommend it to anyone.

I had to ask for LD/ADD Testing repeatedly. And was denied LD/ADD testing repeatedly.

The Special Needs lady seemed miffed with me getting testing and accommodations too.

One Staff said to her "oh, i didn't know that Emma had testing".

I could hear the annoyance in her voice when replied, "Emma self-referred".

Emma

I have not received Course Accommodations, except for at the end of the course (Exam Accommodations).

The Disability Department at my University is awful, though. I would not recommend it to anyone.

I had to ask for LD/ADD Testing repeatedly. And was denied LD/ADD testing repeatedly.

The Special Needs lady seemed miffed with me getting testing and accommodations too.

One Staff said to her "oh, i didn't know that Emma had testing".

I could hear the annoyance in her voice when replied, "Emma self-referred".

Emma

Sounds like a personal problem. Is there only one staff member there?

Yes, Scuro. I think so. I have since talked to many other older students, and students with disabilities -- and this Disability Staff member seems to not like older students, or invisible disability students, or those with "mental health" challenges (eg anxiety/depression, etc).

Sometimes in life, our details unwittingly trigger bad feelings in OTHERS, and sadly, it affects how we get treated. (People can become angered by seeing the distress of the disabled, etc.)**


I didn't like my School's policy of having to have the Professor announce to the class taht "someone in the class has a disability and needs a Volunteer Notetaker".

Then everyone figures out who I am b/c the Volunteer hands me the Notes Taken b4 leaving class.

Talk about obvious.

Anyway,

Emma

**eg these psychological defense mechanisms include such unconscious behaviours as 'projection', 'over-identification, 'reaction formation', etc.

That is pure bull****. How can your prof be allowed to announce that someone in the class needs notes taken for them bc of a disability??? I really dont think that would fly in the us. I don't know what i would have done if I was in your place. But one thing is for damn sure, that prof and his sup and anyone elses adress I cxould get my hands on would get a note from me!