How Late Is Too Late To Tell College About Your Ptsd?

[Go Hungry]

I've been going back to college for a while, but all my previous classes have been online. I'm now in my first 'on the ground' class, and although I hope for there to be no problems, I worry that there may be some. There's a group project on the horizon and while I certainly hope for the best, I would like to prepare for the worst..

Class started a few weeks ago.. Did I wait too late?

 

[joeylittle]

Not at all. Find your campus disability services office and talk to them. You can apply for disabled status at any time; I'd be 100% shocked if you couldn't.

 

[violetclouds]

I too am a student and have been doing online classes but have some 'on the grounds' classes this semester as well. I didn't immediately tell my instructors of my PTSD, but had some issues recently and decided over the weekend that I needed to tell them. I received positive supportive responses from all of them that I informed. I can't guarantee what the response of your college will be but that was my experience. Cudos on going to school and I hope it works out well!

 

[Deleted member 1860]

Its never too late. You are eligible for services as soon as your doctor confirms your disorder and signs off on the accommodations you've requested.

 

[Deleted member 1860]

@violetclouds,
I'd advise going through the disabilities department. Its nice that your professors are understanding, however, since nothing is documented, you aren't protected by law nor are you afforded many of the other accommodations that you'd be eligible for if your doctor confirms your diagnosis. I urge you to contact your disabilities department as soon as possible. Otherwise, you're just depending on the kindness of your professors (and we all know that can end at any minute!)

 

[Lady of Longbourn]

Agree with the above...time to tell disability services (not your teachers; it's not their business) and I would be shocked too if it was to late. You will need some documentation before you go see them.

 

[Recovery4Me]

not your teachers; it's not their business

Well...ah, at many of the colleges that I taught, teachers sign off on a form that let's us know there is a disability at hand. If we are not told what it is by the student voluntarily it makes it hard to assist in the student's need set.

For instance, I had a combat PTSD that I allowed extra time when he triggered on some of the assignments involving strategy. Because of this, I did not have to reduce a letter grade per day. Protects the Instructor and student from 'favoritism' concerns with other students when both avenues are utilized.

When I teach on-line unless I am told by the student, it is hard to tailor to the need set. Teachers are not forced to extend time nor any extra courtesy by the disability dept. as it is the dept.'s job normally to offer the extra equipment if those students need recorders, certain tablets (if they are blind) things of that nature. There is not a per-say extra anything for PTSD in a lot of Universities, so consider that 'we' might care or have it ourselves (as many do from teaching) so would understand. jmho

 

[joeylittle]

Well...ah, at many of the colleges that I taught, teachers sign off on a form that let's us know there is a disability at hand.

Yes, but the information we are given is usually very limited to the accommodations. The student has a letter they can give us that would disclose the nature of their disability, but that's up to them. Accommodations are, as you say, equipment OR time-based; extra notification of tests, time and a half for papers, freedom to leave the classroom at will, stuff like that.

I prefer it to the student just talking to me. Because when they go through disability services, I know that they are being helped all across the board. When it's just me, I feel a little more responsible, which is tough.

 

[Recovery4Me]

I prefer it to the student just talking to me. Because when they go through disability services, I know that they are being helped all across the board. When it's just me, I feel a little more responsible, which is tough.

Exactly where I was trying to go but the dept needs to be done to back us and the student up. Solid offer.

 

[Lady of Longbourn]

@Recovery4Me @joeylittle Yes, there is the form of course. But one of the whole points of going through disability services is the teacher doesn't know what disability is. I don't want my teachers to know I have bipolar disorder which is why I have paperwork. Honestly and I will be frank...but I wont share with my teachers. I have sort of shared with one. I like her and I have known her for a few years. I wonder if maybe you both are looking for too much out of people you barely know. You both have PTSD yourselves and your students wont know that. I mean I understand it may be a little easier to help them but it's not disclosed for a reason too.

My husband is a professor too.

Actually the first day of class the teachers will tell the class about the disability services and I'm starting to think that is a requirement. But they always say it's for learning disabilities and sometimes for physical disabilities. Never for psychological disabilities, maybe they don't know, or maybe they just don't want to shock or start that topic. Makes me wonder how many others need that help.

But it all depends on the student how much they want to disclose.

 

[Recovery4Me]

But one of the whole points of going through disability services is the teacher doesn't know what disability is.

That is a point but not the main one insofar as the co-workers I know that have ran disability services. It was to assist in a continuous manner for the student and insure compliance of the institution to certain laws equitably. Federal criteria for accreditation as well as the money to allow the items needed extra for the student(s) is monitored, regulated and promptly removed for infractions.

 

[joeylittle]

I don't want my teachers to know I have bipolar disorder which is why I have paperwork.

Oh, I agree totally. I'm honestly much more comfortable when I know the requirements of the accommodation but not the disability itself, and that's why the school leaves it up to the student. The only disability I appreciate knowing about specifically is dyslexia, because I can change the formats I use. But even that - if the student doesn't want to say, I'm happy not to know, quite.

It's so much harder when they don't go to disability services and try and tell you something vague about having "a tough time", and all you can do is send them to the health center and give them the info on disability and contact their advisor...but you can't give them an academic accommodation, because they have not actually asked for one.

Our disability statement doesn't include psychological overtly; but I make a point to include it when going over the syllabus.