For the purposes of this blog, I want you to think of accommodations in a larger sense. Consider that accommodations are there to make sure all students can participate fully in their academic experience. If ADHD symptoms create a barrier, the right accommodation can remove it.
A Different Way to Demonstrate Learning
I once coached a graduate school student who dreaded writing. He attended class and participated well in discussions but felt anxious about a final paper from the start of the semester. Over the course of the semester, he developed a good relationship with the professor, often staying after class to discuss the topics of the day.
As the deadline neared and his anxiety grew, he broke down and confessed to the professor that he hadn’t written anything and was terrified of failing the class. They had a long discussion, and the professor decided to let him show his knowledge of the course through a final “conversation” with her instead of writing a final paper. The outcome was the same: he was able to demonstrate his proficiency in the subject to his professor, only the medium had changed. He ended up acing the class!
Removing the Transportation Barrier
A college student client of mine struggled to get to class. He lived off campus and had to drive to each class. Unfortunately, one day he got into a car accident (he was okay), but his car was totaled. Without transportation, he asked a friend to give him a ride to campus each day. Wouldn’t you know it, this student started attending every class! The barrier was getting to campus on his own, and the accommodation was his friend giving him a ride. Attending class made homework easier, and his grades improved drastically as a result!
Using Tutoring to Get Homework Started
A really common hardship I hear from ADHD students is doing their homework. They know they have to do it, but are having a hard time getting started.
One thing they do really well is to regularly attend one-on-one meetings, like the ones we have for our coaching sessions. They often know that once their brain gets into “homework mode”, they tend to do a lot of homework in one fell swoop.
Classes and coaching sessions get their brains into “homework mode” because they are talking about or hearing about the homework with another person.
So how can we combine one-on-one meetings with conversations about homework? Use a tutor! This might seem like a simple answer, but it’s bigger than that. Tutors aren’t just for students struggling with the subject matter; they are essentially a guarantee you’ll get your homework done. I’ve seen many students’ anxiety drop once they realize they can count on a tutor to help them complete their homework, and that it works every time!
If you or someone you know is struggling in school, consider if any of these accommodations would work! Or meet with any of our trained Center coaches for help figuring out how to make school easier.
Riley Karbon, PCAC
ADHD Coach and Life Coach, Executive Skills Coach