Overview of SDS We serve students with… Learning Disabilities Psychological Disabilities Medical Disabilities We provide Academic accommodations.

Accommodating Students with

DisabilitiesStudent Disability Services

Kendall Swanson, DirectorCandice Vasquez, Counselor

Dana Mazur, Testing Administrator

Overview of SDS

We serve students with… Learning Disabilities Psychological Disabilities Medical Disabilities

We provide Academic accommodations Academic counseling Assistance to faculty as needed

Learning Disorders

What is a learning disorder? When an individual’s achievement in reading,

writing or math is substantially below what would be expected for his/her age, schooling and level of intelligence

Approximately 5% of students in public in the US have a learning disorder

What they are not… Form of mental retardation Result of poor teaching Diminished motivation Cultural, environmental or linguistic differences

ADHD/ADD Academic difficulties

Easily distracted Poor time management Performance may vary from day to day Omits steps in a process Problems tracking rapid speaker Restlessness, impatient Minor motor restlessness

Psychological Disabilities

Depression, Anxiety, Bipolar, PTSD

Academic difficulties Concentration Long term planning Time management Motivation

Symptoms Tearfulness Sleep disturbance Anxiety Flat affect Fluctuating emotions

Asperger’s Disorder Falls under Autism spectrum, high functioning autism

Lack the ability to read cues like body language or intuit what others are thinking

Difficulty navigating basic social interactions

Normal intelligence, superior skills in specific area

May exhibit… Reflexive honesty Rigid sense of right and wrong Sensitivity to criticism Loud tone of voice Discomfort in noisy/crowded environments

Medical DisabilitiesDiabetes, Traumatic Brain Injury, Chronic

Pain, Dialysis

Academic difficulties Concentration Fatigue Depression Short-term memory

loss Unpredictable

occurrence of symptoms leads to need for flexibility

Accommodation Procedure

Student brings current letter to faculty The front page – signed by student and

counselor Back page – initialed by student with

Student Disability Services

Student and faculty discuss and sign the letter

Faculty sends a confirmation email to student, a designated school official, and disability counselor

Safe Questions/Comment

s “Is there anything we should discuss regarding your accommodations in this class?”

“I don’t have an answer for you right now. I would like to consult with your disability counselor.”

“Let’s discuss how we will communicate throughout the semester about your accommodations…”

When you suspect a disability, “It might be helpful to talk to someone in Student Disability Services.”

Please do not ask… “What is your disability?”

Contact SDS Contact a disability counselor for helpful tips and

concerns about students

Candice: 448-8557

[email protected]

Kendall: 223-1659

[email protected]

Contact the Testing Center for test scheduling and delivery

Dana: 448-8561

[email protected]

Location: Moody Hall 155