Not Self Identifying
I have a student that was recently withdrawn for SAP. There are obvious disabilities with this person, but never clearly identified them with anyone. He believes taking the same class over and over was because the next class was "full", and that's why he was repeating the class for now a 3rd/4th attempt. He also claims he was an Executive Chef, but if he can't get past Intro to Culinary Arts II, it leads me to only scratch my head.
How can someone assist him (or anyone) in a manor where it's obvious, but they're not self identifying, and yet their progress keep slipping downhill?
Nikita ,
I have the feeling I may have mislead folks with my response. It is not wrong to sit a student down and say, "I see you are struggling. I have noted this, this, and this. It may be that there is something else going on that is interfering with you being able to achieve. We have someone here who can advise you on how to explore the learning or attention problems you are having." It is not appropriate for you to label someone as having a disability, but it is not inappropriate to suggest the possibility and help them to seek out resources.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
I too had a similar situation a year ago with a student who struggled in class with maybe a fifth grade reading and writing level. I tried "literally everything within my power to help the student". It is unfortunate when you notice a student with learning disabilities and you can't identify them to make them aware because of all the laws and regulation in education.Makes being an educator tough!
Erinn,
I like your approach -- to ask the student how he/she feels about their performance. That is a much more open way to encourage disclosure than to confront a student with your suspicion (often well-founded!) that there is an undisclosed disability.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
Joshua,
This is something I struggle with often. The key for me is remembering that I am not a doctor and cannot diagnose a student based on what I see. When I speak with a student about low grades or test scores, I always ask how they feel about their testing and study habits. Sometimes they will bring up a learning disability that they had not disclosed before.
Joshua,
Maybe if he comes back, you can sit him down at the beginning, reinforce the support services that are available, and encourage him to make use of them.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
I wish I could have assisted him earlier, but unfortunately, now he's been withdrawn for not meeting at least a 2.0 GPA. I anticipate he'll come back in 12 weeks.
Joshua,
Unfortunately, I don't have any answers for you. It is not your responsibility to provide support or services that haven't been requested, and it is not your right to insist that they BE requested. Section 504 and the ADA are the only civil rights statutes that only apply if the individual chooses to identify himself/herself as a member of the protected class. If this student has refused to do that, your hands are tied.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
