Advising Suggestions for Students with Disabilities

Advising Suggestions for Students with Specific Diagnostic Issues

This information is not intended to be all-inclusive, but rather to address some of the most common academic advising concerns of students with disabilities at UMC. If you have specific questions related to an advisee with a disability, you are first encouraged to seek direction from the student regarding what issues are likely to have the greatest impact on that person’s academic functioning. You are also invited to contact the Office for Students with Disabilities at 8587 or email lwilson.

Attention Deficit Disorder

ADD is a neurological condition that affects learning and behavior. Symptoms of the disorder may include attention deficits, impulsivity, hyperactivity, mood swings, low frustration tolerance, and difficulty falling asleep at night. Some people may daydream, some may have difficulty completing tasks, be disorganized and forgetful, procrastinate, or have difficulty concentrating on any task.

Students with ADD often have times of day when their ability to concentrate is substantially better than at other times. These time periods, whenever possible should be used to schedule the most challenging courses for the student. ADD students often struggle significantly when classes are scheduled back to back too many hours in a row. If classes must be scheduled this way, seek classes with varying formats such as lab courses, art classes, or activity based courses. Students with ADD are generally advised to carry moderate credit loads and should have their schedules carefully reviewed to maximize chances for success. These students must learn to use a schedule book or other system to assist them with planning and organization.

Support and encouragement are essential for these students, since coping with ADD is emotionally and physically very taxing, and these students have frequently experienced much frustration and failure in academic settings. College is often a time when students with ADD mature sufficiently to willingly and independently use the various supports (medication, time and schedule management, etc.) that can help them succeed.