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Disability Spotlight

Being a college student is hard. To-do lists, deadlines, presentations, exams—getting things done can seem impossible. Add a diagnosis of ADD, and these tasks can feel overwhelming. This month’s spotlight is on Attention Deficit Disorder or ADD. 

ADD is commonly used to describe symptoms of inattention, distractibility, and poor working memory. Students with ADD may have difficulty taking exams in a classroom with others, finishing tasks on time, organization, or taking notes in class. The good news is there is help. Using skills and strategies, as well as accommodations, a student with ADD/ADHD can be successful. Accommodations such as extended testing time, taking exams in a distraction reduced testing space, or permission to record lectures may be reasonable. Learning time management, organizational skills, and study strategies can also help.   

Drake University offers resources to help you navigate being a student with ADD. The Counseling Center can help manage symptoms of anxiety or depression, which are often linked with ADD. Access & Success can help with accommodations as well as skills such as time management, study strategies, and organization. There is no need to struggle. Whether you already have a diagnosis or want to discuss strategies and skills, seek out these resources to help you achieve the success you are capable of.   

 

Image of Michelle Laughlin, Drake University's Director of Access and Success

Michelle Laughlin, is the director of access & success. The department provides academic coaching, tutoring, and student disability services. Equal access to education is achieved when barriers to learning are removed. Access & Success is here to work with students—alongside faculty and staff—to ensure the success and inclusion of all students. 

University News
October 4, 2024