I was diagnosed with a legitimate panic disorder accompanied with Tourette’s Syndrome and Asperger’s Syndrome this past November and I registered with the disability office just-in-case by recommendation from reading threads here. (Just-in-case because I have a tendency to make drastic, rash impulsive decisions when in a panic that don’t end well).
Well, I didn’t really know what registering for disability services was going to even do, but my main goal was in case I submitted a withdrawal form in a panic, I might have a shot at being able to undo it.
When I went in for my meeting, I apparently qualified for disability accommodations despite never having needed them before. I’m a straight A student and have been able to perform under standard classroom conditions throughout my life. I qualified for things like 50% more time on exams and the ability to take tests in the testing center.
I decided to take those types of accommodations and now I feel guilty. I feel like I don’t deserve them and that I’m taking away resources that people with real, debilitating disabilities could be using (I’m not faking my issues, but I don’t feel like they’re extreme enough).
The counselor I spoke with from disability services assured me that taking those accommodations was okay and that I’d be doing the same amount of work everyone else is doing, and not to worry that it would just be done in the testing center with more exam time.
I like the idea of being able to have more time on exams as well as take the exams in (relatively) secluded conditions. But I feel like that’s abusing disability accommodations to gain an advantage over other students.
What do you parents think? I didn’t know where else to post this, so sorry for the irrelevance.
I think you’re a young person with some integrity. That’s a good thing, and not all that common. It made perfect sense to register due to your symptoms, but the school is offering more than you need apparently. I think it is wonderful that you are having second thoughts that you may be benefitting more than really is necessary, and that is very fair of you.
Many people of all ages would take full advantage of any accommodation, earned or not.
I say, let your conscience guide you on this one.
This is not an uncommon reaction to accommodations. You can use things like extensions or excused absences when really needed, and not use them when they are not. One of my kids has some serious medical conditions. If she has a flare, she is sometimes offered two weeks to hand in a paper but she does it in two days. It is a matter of pride and honor. In return, she earns respect I believe, from professors and others, and that makes getting accommodations when she does need them, much easier.
Talk to the disabilities office again. There is nothing unfair about accommodatios. It is not a special favor or break that puts you at an advantage. it levels the playing field. You should be able to perform at your best despite any panic attacks,which can easily derail a transcript in just minutes. With Tourette’s, it may also be that disabilities wants you to have a room to yourself to maximize focus for other students (same with a student who has diabetes and must test blood sugar, potentially distracting for others so he/she gets a separate room).
The idea that you have more integrity through refusal of accommodations is misguided. Try to accept accommodations and use them as needed. A professional dean or disabilities office staff can explain the idea (again) of level playing field to you.
Some accommodations remain at the discretion of professors. You give each professor a letter from the disabilities office and then discuss. If you feel guilty, you won’t be able to do this very well. Try to understand that professionals are giving you these accommodations so that you can do your best work at the same level as someone who does not have panic, Tourette’s or Asperger’s. These accommodations are not easy to obtain and you DESERVE them.
Accommodations allow “access” much like a ramp allows a wheelchair bound individual access to a building. You got the accommodations because as of November you had a verifiable disability that you registered with the disability office. You were given rather standard, common sense accommodations for someone with your types of disability. You aren’t required to use them if you don’t feel like you need them, but they are an option for you if you do. From your description it sounds like you might function best in that individualized setting but may not need extra time. If that is the case your accommodation plan can be adjusted anytime. An accommodation plan should always be a work in progress so that it meets your needs as you change over time.
Not a parent, but trust me, you would not be the only one abusing them if you did so. Since you weren’t actively seeking these accommodations (the extra time specifically), I’d view it more like this: Imagine you were with the professor or someone, and they accidently dropped the upcoming test and you saw one of the questions without intending to. Would it be abusing this accident to study specifically to answer that question? You weren’t looking for it, but it just happened to come to you. I don’t think it’s so bad for you to take the accommodations.
I would also imagine that the school would prefer to head off a panic attack or incident by providing pro-active accommodations rather than being in a position of trying to mop up if things take a turn.
I wouldn’t turn down the accommodations that were offered to you. You may not need them all the time, but you need access to them when you do. This doesn’t have anything to do with integrity. Schools can’t offer them to just anyone. You have them because you have a condition that gives you more challenges than many other students face. It’s not abusing the system to get the help that’s available to you.
Just because you can have them doesn’t mean you have to use them. It’s up to you. You may find that there are class situations where you really need them and class situations where you don’t. Many students with extra time may schedule testing with it and finish early. In fact, for a student with a disorder in the anxiety family, having the extra time may allow him to relax and finish on time rather than panic and run out of it.
Don’t feel guilty about using what you need. And don’t use what you don’t need. At the end of they day, you’re the one who has to feel comfortable with the decision.
You aren’t taking accommodations from another student who needs them. They aren’t a finite thing. Anyone who needs them can get them, so no one is deprived if you decide you do need an extra hour to take an exam.
In fact it may be the fact that you have the ability to take the test in a quiet place, just knowing that you can, may help to ward off panic attacks. Or if they are likely it also helps the other students as if you have any Tourette’s tics that are distracting, then the other students won’t have to be distracted and/or you won’t have to spend extra energy suppression them.
You taking an exam in a quiet place is not taking that quiet place from anyone else. If everyone felt that way, there would be only one person in the entire college who would get accommodations because everyone is not “as bad.”
Think of it this way: You have to learn as much as anyone else. You will have to show that you have learned it with the same test as everyone else. Your grade will reflect how much you have learned. Your accommodations are just like having a ramp for a wheelchair to get into the building where your classroom is. Level the playing field so that you have your optimal chance to show what you have learned.
You are proactively taking care of yourself and having a plan. This is the responsible thing to do. There may come a time when you truly need all the accommodations the disability office provides. If that day comes, you won’t have the added worries of getting everything pulled together. No guilt necessary!
Sending you a virtual high-five!
Here’s what I suggest: use the accommodations, but see whether you really need the extra time. If you don’t, just turn your test in during the normal time for the test.
Before you say you don’t need certain accommodations take time to consider – perhaps being in a quieter environment with less time pressure would in fact reduce your tendency towards panic attacks. Use the accommodations that help you function at your best. Stop feeling guilty – you are not taking resources away from anyone else – the college must insure that everyone who is deemed deserving of an accommodation will get what is needed Good luck moving forward.
compmom may have mis-read my post.
I believe taking advantage of unneeded accommodations would be an unfair advantage.
Taking advantage of needed accommodations certainly would not be unfair.
I still believe that declining unneeded accommodations shows integrity.
I remember making this thread, but then again I don’t. Heh.
Personally, the reason why I say that is because I was on my way to class right outside the building this morning when I started having panic flashes (kinda like hot flashes, but with panic) and began thinking, “Why am I even going to class?” I was having a hopelessness episode. I couldn’t even pay much attention in class. I’ve been having these more and more frequently as the semester has been going on and it just made me think afterwards… maybe that’s exactly what the accommodations are supposed to help with–for events where your mental state suddenly takes a turn for the worst, you might have some extra time to recompose yourself.
I did see a physician (obviously) in November about this, but I’m not currently under the care of a physician, counselor, or any medications, so definitely there’s very little control I might have when my thoughts go south for a bit like they did earlier. Although I have medication for times like this, I’m afraid to take them (irony, right?) and since I’m not under the care of a physician (for reasons explainable by my hopelessness episode earlier today), I can’t get anymore. I’m not actively seeking another treating physician because I’m away at college for this spring.
I did discuss with my instructors earlier this semester when I had to take my letter of accommodations to them that I will indeed let them know if I’m going to need the accommodations a week or more in advance. Perhaps my opinion on using accommodations might be slightly different now after my hopelessness episode earlier, I’m not sure.
(As an additional note, I’m not failing, so that’s not why I feel hopeless. It’s just related to some things that’ve happened earlier and throughout my life that I’ve never gotten over)
You got accommodations because you had a diagnosed disability and are entitled equal access to all college academic and social programs and events. These offered accommodations are pretty basic, and if you don’t need them, you don’t have to use them. But they are there just in case you do need them. What if you had a panic attack in the middle of a test, or just before one. Knowing you have the extra time available should be very reassuring. If you are a freshman, you know that the demands of college and transition from HS can be challenging for anyone. If you take the test in a quiet environment, then if you happen to panic and need to get up and walk around to relax and calm yourself, you won’;t feel self conscious or worried that you would be distracting your classmates. Its all good. You have these available if you need them. They are an option, not a requirement.
But that isn’t this student’s situation. S/he might not need help all the time, but that doesn’t mean s/he doesn’t need help at all. Taking advantage is getting a diagnosis for a condition you don’t have so you can qualify for accommodations. This student was diagnosed and offered accommodations based on that diagnosis. Those are two entirely different situations.