ADD Accomodations (? for Tobylady esp.)

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-05-2004
ADD Accomodations (? for Tobylady esp.)
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Mon, 04-17-2006 - 9:44pm

My psychiatrist has encouraged me to go to obtain a note from student services that would grant me extra time on exams and extensions on due dates for subsequent semesters. I am currently on Adderal XR (15 mg), and while this is a sufficient dose (for now), he thinks I would

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iVillage Member
Registered: 01-20-2005
Tue, 04-18-2006 - 9:50am

First, of all big hugs to you on your GPA. I think a 3.2 is very good. I know that you are not taking all fluff courses and work very hard at your education. I also know how frustrating and disappointing it can be to work so hard and still not be where you know you can be. DD experiences that on a regular basis. Her GPA is 3.7 with primarily all honor classes and she knows that it could be a 4.0 but we didn't recognize her problems early enough and she had two years w/o medication. Those two years are what is keeping her from that 4.0 she desires so much. Yet she can't undo the past but works her fanny off to be the best in the present.

I'm just curious are asking me as a mom or as a college instructor? As a mom, I would have the exact concerns that you have. The fear of becoming labelled is a very real one and one that should be given alot of consideration. If it is a fear or concern that you have, then whether or not it is a problem in reality it is an issue for you. It's sort of like a doctor told me once. I had a screw in my ankle. I felt it and I wanted it removed - the bone had healed and it no longer served a purpose. One dr told me I was imagining it and couldn't possibly feel it. The second dr told me that it didn't matter whether I really felt it or not if I thought I felt it, it needed to come out. BTW, he also told me he had too many patients tell him they felt it for him to think we didn't even tho medically we shouldn't (make sense?). I guess I'm saying that if you are concerned about being perceived as someone that abuses the system b/c there are so many that do abuse it, then this will have an affect on you and that is something that only you can reconcile. One way to work on that would be to talk to your professors and get their input. Another would be to sit down and have a long talk with yourself - look over your life and make sure that you agree with the diagnosis and the steps that are taking to deal with your situation. You're not one to be overly concerned with what people think so I really think it's more what you think about yourself. Do you truly need the extra time? If so, then ask for it. We asked for it for DD on her ACT's and weren't approved. You have to have a letter of recommendation from the high school counselor and b/c DD has not been a major discipline problem and has such a good GPA she didn't fit their criteria. So DD didn't do well on the ACT. We were very upset but accepted it and went on. She does have to learn that she will not always get special treatment. You are right there are two sides to this and the key is figuring out what you can live with and be comfortable with.

Now for my answer as a college instructor. First of all, my environment is completely different from yours. We are a small community college with alot of returning adults students and alot of students that don't have the ACT, GPA, etc to be accepted into larger universities. We see alot of ADD and learning disabilities here. As a general rule, most do not ask for extra test time but as the instructor, I can usually identify pretty quickly those that truly need it. If they come talk to me, I refer those to student services. I work closely with the coordinator of that area to insure that I understand what allowances each student needs. Just recently I referred a student that is in her 50's. We determined that she didn't need extra time - just to be in a room alone during the tests. I gave her a make-up exam and her grade went from a 23 to a 75. While a 75 doesn't sound great, it wasn't too far below average on that particular test and it was a huge improvement from a 23. Your instructors should be there to help you succeed w/o spoon feeding to you. They want you to have every opportunity to succeed.

So first thing for you to do, is to talk to your instructors. Get their opinions and inputs. Talk to the coordinator in student services that deals with special needs. Share all of your concerns with them and listen to their thoughts. Do this first informally. Then think about their views before pursuing this further. Once you have all the information, you can use that intelligent brain of yours and figure out what's best for you and what you can be comfortable with.

Good Luck and I'm honored that asked me this.

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-17-2005
Tue, 04-18-2006 - 12:21pm

I do too. But I also believe this might all be resolved if there were more than just a "clinical diagnosis" required to diagnose ADD i.e., an interview.

Avatar for heartsandroses2002
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Tue, 04-18-2006 - 1:27pm

{{wolverine}} I think a 3.2 is a great GPA. When I consider all of the other things you have going on in your life, such as working part time and supporting yourself in your own apartment (paying your own bills, maintenance, etc.), I'd say a 3.2 GPA is something to be proud of!

You have ADD, but remember, you're treating it and right now the level of meds is working for you. Try to focus more on ways in which to give yourself more prep time instead of what other kids are doing. I speak from experience when I say that in every other way no on would guess that my dd is A) on meds, B) needs them, or C) needs accomodations in class. There are many students who do not abuse the system or drugs in order to enhance thier performance. Just because a few do, doesn't mean that your professors will immediately assume that you do, especially if you have a DR's note to prove that you are in treatment. Besides, most professors can usually determine when they are being played and not.

I think your concerns are definitely valid. However I think that your focus becomes slightly blurred when you begin worrying what others will think instead of simply taking care of yourself and meeting your needs.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-06-2006
Tue, 04-18-2006 - 5:50pm

Wolverine,

I don't have any advice or opinions on ADD, meds or accomodations -- I am just wondering how your roommate situation worked out?

Jules

 

 

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-05-2004
Tue, 04-18-2006 - 6:28pm
She moved out and will be subletting her room (strangely) to one of my boyfriend's best friends. He plans on moving in sometime in the next couple weeks, so hopefully things will go a lot more smoothly from here on out...

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-06-2006
Wed, 04-19-2006 - 10:58am
Good news. I hope things continue to work out for you!

 

 

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-20-2005
Thu, 04-20-2006 - 10:25am
I started a similar discussion on the parents of college students board. You may want to check it out. There were alot of good responses over there.
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-05-2004
Thu, 04-20-2006 - 9:32pm

I was asking you both as a parent and an educator...


I think I percieve things slightly differently, just because it's very much "sink or swim" at this University, and when things get out of hand, there's generally no one to lend you a paddle...


It's not necessarily that I think the

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iVillage Member
Registered: 01-20-2005
Fri, 04-21-2006 - 12:49pm

See that is exactly what alot of my concern about DD going to UT Knoxville is. They are so large that they really don't seem to give a flying fig about one student and her individual needs. However, she is very determined (just as you are) and she will succeed just to prove DH and I wrong. I don't guess it matters why she succeeds as long as she does. Of course, this way is going to be more stressful for her but that's what she has choosen.

Is transferring to a smaller school an option or even something that you would consider? I know that large schools have alot to offer that smaller ones don't but sometimes the desire to see the individual succeed does get lost. I think smaller schools are much, much better at that than larger ones.

Good Luck and let me know what you decide to do.

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-05-2004
Tue, 04-25-2006 - 3:16am

Transferring is a no-go for a couple reasons:


1. I only have seventeen credits left. I'll be graduating in December, so I'd only have the special accomodations through the fall. The reason I'm even considering them so late in the game is because I'd like my final grades (at least)

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