When I was diagnosed with Asperger's, I found out I qualified for special services that all colleges and universities are required to offer. Mainly, they help me get the most out of my education and provide accommodations when I need them. I want to talk about those today.
Taking tests hasn't ever been one of my strong traits. This is made worse when more people are added who are all making noises and are just crowded around me. It's very hard to concentrate. Because of this...and because I'm a perfectionist...I've always taken longer to take tests. Due to all this, I'm allowed to take my tests in a secluded room at the testing center with extra time to take the test. I also like to use the white noise machines in the testing rooms because they block out all the annoying background noise.
Since I become easily distracted, one of my accommodations is being required to sit in the front of the classroom. This lessens the people in my field of vision that are moving around and could be a distraction. I also get very uncomfortable being surrounded by people because then I feel crowded and suffocated. I have vision problems, too. Even though I wear my contacts or glasses, my vision can still be a little blurry. Sitting up front means I can still see.
I'm also not a good note taker when it comes to writing. I'm slow at writing. When I try to write fast, my handwriting becomes sloppy and almost unreadable. So, I'm allowed to use a laptop or my iPad to take notes. Most professors allow students to do this anyway now-a-days; however, some don't. In these cases, this accommodation becomes very helpful. Also, since a lot of professors put PowerPoints and notes online, I can download them on my iPad and follow along in class. This helps if I still have trouble seeing the front of the room.
The last thing I want to touch on isn't an accommodation, but it's something I do to help my professors. At the beginning of each semester, I give professors that don't know me a letter I wrote explaining my condition and how it affects my learning. I found from experience that many people don't realize autism spectrum disorders can affect adults too, especially if they are high functioning. They are especially unaware how it affects our education and the way we learn. This is why I wrote the letter. To help me and my professors out. It also keeps them from making assumptions about me and some of the behaviors I exhibit. In almost all situations, it helps a lot.
"I live in the same world you do; I just experience it differently. I am a human being with feelings, just like you; I just express them in my own way." ~Me~
Since I become easily distracted, one of my accommodations is being required to sit in the front of the classroom. This lessens the people in my field of vision that are moving around and could be a distraction. I also get very uncomfortable being surrounded by people because then I feel crowded and suffocated. I have vision problems, too. Even though I wear my contacts or glasses, my vision can still be a little blurry. Sitting up front means I can still see.
I'm also not a good note taker when it comes to writing. I'm slow at writing. When I try to write fast, my handwriting becomes sloppy and almost unreadable. So, I'm allowed to use a laptop or my iPad to take notes. Most professors allow students to do this anyway now-a-days; however, some don't. In these cases, this accommodation becomes very helpful. Also, since a lot of professors put PowerPoints and notes online, I can download them on my iPad and follow along in class. This helps if I still have trouble seeing the front of the room.
The last thing I want to touch on isn't an accommodation, but it's something I do to help my professors. At the beginning of each semester, I give professors that don't know me a letter I wrote explaining my condition and how it affects my learning. I found from experience that many people don't realize autism spectrum disorders can affect adults too, especially if they are high functioning. They are especially unaware how it affects our education and the way we learn. This is why I wrote the letter. To help me and my professors out. It also keeps them from making assumptions about me and some of the behaviors I exhibit. In almost all situations, it helps a lot.
"I live in the same world you do; I just experience it differently. I am a human being with feelings, just like you; I just express them in my own way." ~Me~
