Jane Jarrow

Norman, Those are great examples, and you are right. But I don't think the focus here should be on adapting the person to the environment or the environment to the person so much as it should be on recognizing that the way folks have always participated isn't the ONLY way to participate. The same is true of learning. Dr. Jane Jarrow

Theosious, In some ways, the purpose of accommodations is to provide support for their STRENGTHS, rather than their weaknesses (disabilities). Accommodations generally allow students to minimize the impact of the disability by shifting the circumstances to play off their strengths. But your sentiment is spot on! Dr. Jane Jarrow

Ellis, Yes -- and no! GRIN In the K-12 system, it is both law and practice to individualize instruction to help students achieve at whatever level is appropriate to them. But it is important to remember that (a) while students may learn coping strategies that let them perform at their utmost, it is not our goal to "cure" them of their disability; and (b) at the college level, that kind of individualization is neither the norm nor the intention. 504 and the ADA are civil rights statutes, not special education laws. Dr. Jane Jarrow

Mary, You have it exactly right. Section 504 and the ADA provide a floor, not a ceiling. They say, "you may not do less than ____", but the do not prohibit the institution from doing more. And I agree, too, that doing more is generally a winning proposition! Dr. Jane Jarrow

Theresa, That's hard... when someone has the motivation but not the ability to pursue their dream. It is a shame he couldn't get a position working on the business end of the health care industry! Dr. Jane Jarrow

Scott, That's a possibility. In fact, the drugs that are used to help control the symptoms of ADHD for children have a very different impact on the mature nervous system, so even those students who continue with medication may have a change in the type or amount of medication prescribed. The important thing to remember is that taking medication is neither a crutch nor a sign of weakness... it is a tool in the management of ADHD symptoms. Dr. Jane Jarrow

Vincent, Yep! It is amazing how many doors have been opened through the introduction of relatively simple technology. Here is a student who can now do what anyone else can do online, just by providing the virtual equivalent of a magnifying glass! Dr. Jane Jarrow

Joel, That's always been one of our key findings -- that the things we do that are critical for students with disabilities are often just good teaching strategies for ALL students. And you are right -- having ADHD is not like being pregnant (there is no such thing as being "a little bit pregnant"). One can be a little ADHD or a LOT ADHD! Dr. Jane Jarrow

Sherry-Lynn, That's a good argument for why we want students with disabilities to receive and use the appropriate accommodations while they are still in college -- so that they know what to ask for and how to use those accommodations and strategies when they get out on the job. Dr. Jane Jarrow

Lisa, You are absolutely right. The accommodation is not "unlimited" time, but rather "extended time." The only students who would complain about the additional time for students with disabilities are those that don't understand why the accommodation is made in the first place. The purpose is to give EQUAL opportunity, not to give a leg up. Dr. Jane Jarrow