Re: Accommodations for Dysgraphia

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College Professors Chatboard

Accommodations for Dysgraphia

by H. Mom

Oct 1, 2011

My homeschooled son has dysgraphia. An iPod allows him to easily type answers to essay questions. Would this type of accommodation be allowed in your classroom? Why or why not?

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bernoulli On 10/01/11, H. Mom wrote: > My homeschooled son has dysgraphia. An iPod allows him to > easily type answers to essay questions. Would this type of > accommodation be allowed in your classroom? > Why or why not?

At my university he would take his tests in the Disabled Students Center and be allowed to use his iPod. They provide...See More

Oct 4, 2011

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rw rofessors don't determine accommodations, so it would depend on what the disability coordinator of the school considered appropriate accommodations...

On 10/01/11, H. Mom wrote: > My homeschooled son has dysgraphia. An iPod allows him to > easily type answers to essay questions. Would this type of > accommodation be allowed in yo...See More

Oct 5, 2011

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marjoryt Essays tests, and the work is automatically checked by TurnItIn. At my college, we have fairly strict rules:

student must go through ADA Office and present documentation (usually through high school or from doctor or from recognized testing facility - what mom says isn't enough)

ADA coordinator creates the list of accomodations an...See MoreEssays tests, and the work is automatically checked by TurnItIn. At my college, we have fairly strict rules:

student must go through ADA Office and present documentation (usually through high school or from doctor or from recognized testing facility - what mom says isn't enough)

ADA coordinator creates the list of accomodations and contacts the instructors directly (usually a combination of phone call and email)

ADA coordinator usually wants to set up the students classes, choosing the most "ADA friendly" instructors (those with best background to help the student) MANY college instructors have NO training or background to help ADA students, and not all classrooms can accomodate the needs

ADA coordinator helps to arrange special equipment or tutorials or testing environments.

Instructor meets with the student early in the semester to discuss issues.

Class meets, and student is expected, as much as possible, to complete assignments in class, with accomodations as specified.

As you have described, your son would not need help for a SCANTRON or computer based test. He would be expected to do the test in the classroom, with no outside help and no extra time.

This semester, I have 15 ADA students spread across my 6 classroom courses. Only 2 student are noticeably (to the other students) receiving accomodations - one is recovering from traumatic brain injury and the other has Asbergers. 2 simply work their tests until the end of the period, then write notes at the bottom that they will return to finish. Another has made arrangements to take his tests at a proctoring center, where he can have someone read the questions to him. About 8 also meet at the proctoring center, where they can use computers. The rest decide on a test-by-test basis, sometimes in the classroom, sometimes at the proctoring center, and sometimes outside my office.

Over the years, I've seen mixed success. Students who are used to self-advocating and working independently continue to be successful. Students who are accustomed to being heavily assisted for everything and who expect parents to smooth the way at every opportunity struggle, until they learn to work independently or decide that the struggle isn't worth it.

I now have a VERY firm policy. I will listen and work with the student and the ADA coordinator. However, I don't conference with or speak with any parent about my student; that is the job of the Student Life dean and the ADA coordinator.

My very best advice to help your son be successful in college is: 1) Teach him now to self-advocate (know his own strengths and weaknesses) 2) Teach him organization and time management 3) If he is being homeschooled, find opportunities for him to interface in small and large groups. He will be expected to interact with up to 150 people at a time (perhaps larger if he's in a university lecture setting). 4) Find the best technology with the smallest footprint; he'll be expected to set up, use, take down, and carry his own tools. 5) Don't overload his first semester of college; in his case it might be better to just take one or two classes and make them successful. 6) Be prepared for mixed success and failure. Like other college freshmen - college is a very eye-opening experience.

Oct 16, 2011

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Early Birdy to H. Mom I am also a home schooling mom, I am an elemtary teacher and I have taught various courses at all of the universities in our area so I have seen a lot of incoming freshman! When in the college setting I would gladly allow legitimate accomodations for students with a designated disability. If there is no muscular disability involved, I was wondering...See More

Oct 30, 2011

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