Adult Learners with Disabilities
I have ready many of your posts and agree with most of the comments. I have found that some adult learners do not want to share their disability with me unless pressed. For example, I had a student who was easily upset and hated exams. I offered to tutor her, but she was very hard to reach and extremely defensive. Finally, during one of the exams she was in an absolute panic mode, and I asked to see her outside. I told her I knew she was very private about her personal life, and I wouldn't want to intrude, but was it possible she had a learning disability? She immediately told me she didn't do well on exams and was dislexic. I gave her extra time on her exam, and it changed her entire attitude about me and the class. We added her disability to CampusVue to aid other instructors. I think students tell us about their disabilities when they want us to know and on their own timetable.
Helen,
yes and showing the students that we want to support & encourage them is a great way to make sure that they feel included.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I understand what you mean about some students being very private. I have a student that I encourage to communicate with her instructors, when she had difficulty completing some assignments due to a medical issue. Once, we discussed openly about it, she has been more relaxed in class and participates more often. She tends to be quieter than most anyway, but I like to see even quiet students taking part in class discussion.
Very much agree.. A lot of times they see it as a weakness or it makes them "stupid". Sometimes its easy to see that they have a problem, but they still won't discuss it with you, or just continue to deny they have an issue. This can be hard to work with and can take a substantial amount of time to get through to them. If they are willing to try, I am willing to help. But sometimes I just don't have the time to continue trying when they won't...
Peggy,
I agree. I would add that the more we demonstrate that we are supportive & there to help our students, the greater chance that these students will open up to us for help.
Dr. Ryan Meers
