Jane Jarrow

Discussion Comment

You are right, Jamie. There are lots of situations in which the student may find a welcoming environment on the outside because he is known to the people he will be working with, and they are willing to stretch a little. It is always healthy to remember that the education students are receiving doesn't lead to one and only way career path. Knowledge can be reworked and repackaged! I am glad you see it as appropriate not to pigeonhole students on the basis of their (presumed) limitations. Dr. Jane Jarrow

Jane Jarrow

Discussion Comment

Attention Deficit Disorder

Tia, You are right, of course. Medication is not the only way to manage the symptoms of ADHD, and we have no more right to dictate the use of medication for a student with ADHD than we would have to require a cochlear implant for a student who is deaf. There are lots of reasons why some individuals choose NOT to use medication, including the two you mentioned (expense and side effects). I am surprised to see you list meditation or yoga as alternatives to medication for this population, though. While both may have a calming effect and might possibly… >>>

Jane Jarrow

Discussion Comment

Psychological Disability

Laurna, I agree. As instructors, it is up to us to provide accommodation as necessary -- and to do our best to provide the same level and quality of instruction to all students. What we want to avoid is stepping outside our role as teachers to try to serve as therapists. That isn't what they need from us! Dr. Jane Jarrow

Jane Jarrow

Discussion Comment

Attention Deficit Disorder

Laurna, I agree with the gist of your post -- the idea that medication has different impact on different students and that it is not up to us to question why a student does or does not choose to use it. I would caution, just a bit, about the suggestion that some learners can mitigate their symptoms just by being aware of their "weaknesses" -- you are right... many students with ADHD learn to compensate quite well. But don't let it slide into the idea that "they could control it if they just tried harder." For a long time, ADHD… >>>

Jane Jarrow

Discussion Comment

Rock and a Hard Place?

I would agree, Amy. I'll give you another hint. In my experience, if you are going to offer up examples of barriers, use barriers to someone who is blind, deaf, or in a wheelchair. If there is no lingering doubt about whether or not the individual has a disability, it is easier to demonstrate how a rule creates a barrier, and the change that is needed is often pretty straightforward. Once you have established that barriers exist, it is easier to introduce the topic of barriers to students with less noticeable or recognized disabilities. Dr. Jane Jarrow

Jane Jarrow

Discussion Comment

Severity of Disability

You have hit on a key element, Amy -- something disability service professionals have known for years. The same changes that need to be made to provide full access for students with disabilities often are elements of "good teaching" that help to make the classroom more usable for ALL students! Dr. Jane Jarrow

Jane Jarrow

Discussion Comment

Reality Check!

You're right, Teri. Students with disabilities have the right to make bad decisions, just like everyone else... and sometimes they will! What we owe them is the chance to be informed before they make those decisions. Our job is to be honest. Dr. Jane Jarrow

Jane Jarrow

Discussion Comment

Psychological Disability

You are right. When we talk about students with "invisible" disabilities, especially psychological disabilities, what you see is NOT always what you are getting. It is important to keep an open mind and to encourage students to go through the right channels so that you are sure the adjustments you are making are both appropriate and in the best interests of both the student and the curriculum. Dr. Jane Jarrow

Jane Jarrow

Discussion Comment

Physical Disability

Crystal, The problem you note for the vocational/career schools is very real. You are right -- they are judged on their success rate in placing students on the job, and that puts them in a difficult position when it comes to students with disabilities. But the problem you describe for the recent graduate is even MORE troubling, as it suggests that he would be more than capable of doing a good job and is losing out on opportunities because of the bias others have shown to finding a way to facilitate his employment. You might try having him contact the… >>>

Jane Jarrow

Discussion Comment

Psychological Disability

Absolutely, DeVon. Jumping to conclusions is never a healthy exercise, but it is particularly a problem when you are talking about a student with a psychological disability. There are LOTS of difficulties that might show up as the same behavior (for instance, inattentiveness). You want to make sure that your response to a student is based on need, not conjecture. Dr. Jane Jarrow