Advising Students with Disabilities

1. Advising Students with Disabilities Dr. Ellen W. Bonaguro, Associate Dean Student Academic Services and Enrollment and Mary Lloyd Moore, Instructor/Clinic Director Department of Communication Disorders and Director of the Suzanne Vitale Clinical Education Complex Campus Advising Network Presentation-April 14, 2010

2. Agenda Overview Services for Students with Disabilities Advising Information

3. Overview of SDS Office of Student Disabilities Services-DUC A 200-745-5004 487 students registered Intake and Assessment of Needs Documentation of Disability ( within three years) Necessary Paperwork to Determine Accommodations (LOAs) Exceptions and Substitutions Freshmen (119), Sophomore (96), Juniors (97), Seniors (141) Academy (3), Graduate (24), Other (7) *as of 4/5/2010

4. Disabilities Reported Physical Mobility Disabilities, Psychiatric Disabilities, Mental Disabilities, Medical Disabilities, Hearing Disabilities, Speech/Language Disabilities, Visual Disabilities, Other (42 specific categories) Learning Disabilities (146) Health impairments (62) Attention Deficit Disorder (117) Chronic pain (59) Difficulty with written language (111) Math difficulty (48) Reading (89) Anxiety Disorder (44) Psychological Disability (81) Mobility (33) Special housing (78) Depression (32)

6. Services for Students with Disabilities Types of Accommodations Types of Accommodations Special housing (78) Priority seating (75) Quiet environment for testing (67) Oral testing (61) Interpreting and captioning (12) (214 tests as of 4/5/2010 for spring) • Priority Registration (all) • Textbooks to CD (all) • Extended test time up to double time (335) • Extension of assignment due date (174) • Use of a note taker (168)

7. Interpreting and Captioning Interpreting for one student-currently Captioning media for one student Speech-to-text (real time captioning) for 12 Two full-time captionist and three part-time 23 classes captioned this semester

8. Asperger’s Syndrome “developmental disability on the Autism Spectrum that impacts a student’s social, cognitive, and behavioral abilities. The sensory and motor skills are also different than most students.” (Hans Asperger, 1944) (29 students with Autism are registered with SDS. Most report having been diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome)

9. Asperger’s Syndrome 6 Diagnostic Criteria 1. Lack of non-verbal expressiveness , associated with idiosyncratic facial expressions, gestures, prosody or posture; an inability to recognize socially important cues; or both 2. Difficulty in behaving according to socially accepted conventions, particularly when these conventions are implicit. 3. Lack of close peer relationships often, but not always, as a result of social advances being rebuffed by peers. 4. Unusual “special” interests which are narrow and private. The special interest may be idiosyncratic or pursued obsessively, or both. Special interests often involve collecting objects or memorizing facts. 5. Pragmatic abnormalities of speech. 6. Impression of clumsiness.

10. Asperger’s Syndrome Additional Characteristics Inflexibility and difficulty with change…a preference for a rigid schedule and much prior planning. Low self-esteem and self-concept: they are aware of their difference and blame themselves rather than the disability. Feelings of stress, loneliness and frustration at being unable to predict outcomes may be expressed in socially inappropriate ways

11. Advising Students with Disabilities Ask students “Is there is anything I need to know to help you be more successful in college.” (Can add a statement to the Advisor Course Syllabi) Students may disclose that they are registered with SDS. Others may disclose that they had academic support in high school, but thought they could “figure out” college on their own. Make appropriate referrals to SDS and other campus resources that will help the student. Ask the students what their accommodations are if they are registered with SDS. This information can help in selecting courses and preparing a course schedule.

12. Advising Students with Disabilities Emphasize the importance of accountability and communication. Getting Letters of Accommodation signed by course professors and returned to SDS is important to helping them get their needs met. Talking with SDS staff and their professors to get accommodations met is vital to their success. Encourage them to develop strong (and appropriate) self-advocacy skills. Follow up all meetings with an email summarizing your discussion and all points of your meeting. Avoid discussing the student’s issues anywhere other than in private.

13. Advising Considerations Do they want on-campus or virtual class options? (may be difficult for ADD, mobility issues, other health concerns) Should they be full-time or part time? (sometimes a reduced load may count as full time status.) Scheduling: Do they (realistically) have enough time to get to the next class? Consider testing process. Do they have any transportation issues?

14. Advising Considerations Weather extremes may be problematic in getting to class. Are there any medical issues that should be taken into consideration in scheduling classes? Possible attendance issues? Are 8:00 a.m. classes feasible? May need to schedule later in day (when possible). Give careful consideration to course selection. Identify courses that they will enjoy. Consider aspects of course instruction and faculty that use Universally Designed Learning (Langford, Zakrajsek, & Rood). Consider that time management skills may be difficult (Asperger’s Syndrome)

15. Parents list of “top best” necessary accommodations Receiving extra time on exams. Taking no more than 12 hours a semester. Working with a study consultant. Receiving tutors in necessary courses. Having Note Takers Finding a knowledgeable counselor/psychologist Keeping in frequent touch with child. Identifying an understanding/caring mentor (could be the advisor). (Parents want others that will help advocate)

16. Advisors Make the Difference Help students get services they need Advise on personal and professional goals Making recommendations regarding course scheduling (considering the student’s abilities) Advocating for SWD when necessary Working with SDS to provide the best service

17. Bibliography Academic Support for Students with Disabilities, Suggestions for Faculty: Advising Students with Disabilities. (n.d.) Retrieved December 1, 2009, from http://ithaca.edu/acssd/faculty/advising. Clark, McClendon, L., Grant D. (n.d.) The Changing Face of College Students with Disabilities [PowerPoint slides]. Retrieved from New York University Fort Hays State University: Advising Students with Disabilities[PowerPoint Slides]. Hemphill, Leslie, L. (n.d.) Advising Students with Disabilities, retrieved December 1, 2009 from http://www.nacada.ksu.edu/clearinghouse/AdvisingIssues/disability Hughes, J. (n.d.) Supporting College Students with Asperger Syndrome: Possible Strategies for Academic Advisors to Use. Retrieved December 1, 2009 from http://psu.edu/dus/mentor/091028jh.htm Langford, Sara, Zakrajsek,T., and Rood, S. (n.d.) Teaching Students with Asperger Syndrome (and other disabilities) in the College Classroom, Creating an Inclusive Classroom. Central Michigan. Retrieved December 1, 2009 from http://www.unc.edu/asp/documents/Asperger_Paper_JECT_1.doc

18. "Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see." Mark Twain