Jane Jarrow

Camille, Those are good examples. The trick to success on the job would be for the individual with ADHD to figure out ways to manage those things. Perhaps, for example, he/she could get really good about writing down directions, as they are given, so that they don't lose the steps and have to go back for more explanation. Or simply schedule themselves so that they break up tedious tasks with focused attention on other things that need doing, then go back and get the boring stuff done. GRIN Dr. Jane Jarrow

Frances, That's a wonderful story of success, and an encouraging message for us all. Thanks for sharing. Dr. Jane Jarrow

Julia, I like the idea of approaching the problem on more than one front. The trick, of course, is to provide legitimate input to both students and faculty without making the student feel pressured or patronized, and without the faculty feeling threatened. Best of luck! Dr. Jane Jarrow

Julia, That is a different kind of access... one provided through accommodation. And there is certainly nothing wrong with that. But usually when we think of Universal Design, we think of products and environments that are used equally by people with disabilities and those without. Dr. Jane Jarrow

michael, That's an interesting mental image! GRIN Dr. Jane Jarrow

Frances, What you have described is exactly right for students with learning disabilities. Just remember that there are other populations of students with disabilities who may need extended time, too, for OTHER reasons (such as the blind student who is using assistive technology to complete the test, or the student with a physical disability who needs extra time to type. Dr. Jane Jarrow

Julia, That's an interesting observation. I've never seen it confirmed in the literature, but it makes logical sense that someone with ADHD might be easily distracted and not follow through in any one job for a long period before becoming intrigued with something new. Dr. Jane Jarrow

Frances, Part of it would (hopefully) be that the student would self-select and know that such a setting is not right for him/her. One of the reasons we see less individuals requesting and needing job accommodations than you might expect is because they tend to gravitate to jobs in which their disability won't be an issue. Dr. Jane Jarrow

Julia, You've almost got it -- one correction. Every student, regardless of severity of disability, is provided the tools to HAVE ACCESS, not necessarily to be successful. They have to provide their own success! Dr. Jane Jarrow

Frances, I can't argue with your reasoning, but I would guess that it is unlikely that an individual with such significant difficulties would be HIRED into such a position. The good news is that not all students with the same diagnosis show the same level of involvement. Dr. Jane Jarrow