I’m currently a 2nd year studying for mechanical engineering at my college. I have a disability known as aspergers, which is a form of autism. Because of this, my parents signed me up with the disability service center at my college to give me extra time on tests.
Overall I’ve been doing really well at college, and the extra time really helps. But I’m starting to worry that I may be cheating the system. I understand why extended time is needed for people with disabilities, and I feel like it’s certainly something I need. However, some of my friends have the same disability as me and didn’t go forth to obtain extra time. However, they’re barely scraping by with C’s as I go on with B’s and A’s. I also really understand the material and i’m even trying to become an SI leader for the math department at my college. I’m wondering if having extra time is giving me too much of a disadvantage, and could potentially screw me up for the future. With my disability, is it a good idea to continue this path, or should I take the tests with the same time constraints as everyone else? I feel like I could do it for classes that last a long time but I would really struggle with classes that only last an hour for the test. Are there any other students with disabilities such as asperger’s that think the same way? Is it best that I give up the extra time I’m given for the sake of my future?
I’d also like to mention that I don’t always obtain A’s and B’s on my tests. Sometimes I obtain C’s, D’s, or even F’s. For this semester, my first midterm average was close to a C- (75%) but my second midterms were an A- average
If you need the extended time, then you should use it without guilt.
It’s there for a reason.
BTW many schools allow students to take exams whenever they feel like it, with no supervision (schools with honor codes that allow the students to take the exams in a place and time of their choosing). There are other schools that don’t believe in grades, and use evaluations instead (Evergreen, Hampshire, Sarah Lawrence, etc.) Some schools reschedule tests because of religious holidays for some groups. And there are schools that schedule exams for a specific period rather more strictly, such as yours
In other words, taking tests under strict timing is just one philosophy of getting through school. There are many other valid philosophies about learning and how to approach college. Part of YOUR school’s philosophy is recognizing that some people need more time on their tests. You are one of those people.
Keep your accommodations and do not feel guilty. If they have made a difference, they are working. Don’t base your use of your accommodations on anyone’s situation except your own. My daughter has accommodations and will always use them. She is grateful for them but wishes she didn’t need them. She doesn’t want them, she needs them. Just keep doing you and if a friend is struggling and asks you, maybe you can let them know there may be resources available to them and let them know who to contact.
Just finished my junior year of college as a math and CS double major (with two performing arts minors). I have High Functioning Autism and ADHD.
You should feel no guilt for using your accommodations. It won’t create any disadvantage for your future. I also have extended time, but didn’t in high school (I was diagnosed with HFA on the late side), and it has made all the difference in the world. It doesn’t automatically give me A’s on exams either, but I’m actually able to finish tests now, when in high school I didn’t always get to all the questions.
Don’t feel one bit guilty! Feel proud of yourself and your accomplishments. You are a role model for seeking out help when necessary and the benefits of doing so. Well done!
Use your accommodations. You are not able to compensate for the students with disabilities who don’t use accommodations for which they would probably be qualified. Accommodations are based on documentation that clearly explains your functional limitations and how accommodations compensate for those limitations. You don’t get accommodations because someone feels sorry for you or wants you to feel better about yourself or some other emotional reaction to your disability. For example someone with low vision is not taking advantage of other drivers by not wearing glasses while driving.
Imagine a hypothetical situation where grades for a test are based upon how all students can read a eye chart from 20 feet away. The only way to pass the test was to correctly read letters off the bottom line. If you were not able to read this letters, then you’d fail.
Would you allow vision-impaired students to take the test with glasses/contact lenses? I’m sure you agree that this is the only fair thing to do.
If so then why is allowing the use of glasses/contact lenses any different than giving extended time? The disabilities that students face are often cognitive in nature. Giving extended time only is a way to compensate for the nature of their disability.
I adore this question, mainly because you sound so much like my honest-to-a-fault son, who will go to incredible lengths to make sure he is NOT getting special treatment.
I’m guessing all the reassurance in the world (especially from strangers online) may not lessen your concerns, but here’s another attempt anyway: You have likely had to overcome many challenges in your life, far more than 98% of people your age will EVER understand. Life is not fair and we all know people who got praised or promoted undeservingly. I very much doubt you will ever be one of those undeserving types.
Use the accommodations granted to you to give yourself the best start (read: better grades and quicker diploma) that you can. You DESERVE them–ethically and legally. Try not to worry about how they will affect your ability to cope with a future job. One step at a time. Best of luck to you!
I agree that if you need extra time, use it. The idea of extra time is to give you the time you need to show what you know. The extra time is meant to put you on a level playing field with other students.
It is true that in the working world, there is no such thing as extra time. But the working world is not a timed test. And hopefully your chosen career is one that plays into your strengths. You may have to put in some extra hours if you work a bit slowly (like you probably already do on papers/projects) to be successful in a work situation but you should be fine.
I have mild aspergers, but I’m test-smart and can focus when I really need to, so I did okay when I took the ACT and the SAT.
As how the other people in this thread have said, I will also say do NOT feel guilty about the handicap that you have received. Best of luck on your exams!
