Benefits to reporting your diagnosis to college/university?

Post Reply New Topic

Are there any? And if so, what are some typical examples?

I'm heading towards my final year, and last year was pretty awful as I had just completely burned out and barely survived - especially this past semester. Trying to see if I should report myself, reap whatever benefits and "take it easy" I guess.

I haven't been officially diagnosed yet, but I'm sure that just presenting myself to the disabilities office would be good enough. It has become very evident that people just naturally get a vibe that I'm not NT anyway, so it should be okay as long as I do it early.

Plus I have some history with my school's counseling services, but that was for depression/anxiety. I've never actually spoken (though people do get the idea when I'm with them, I suppose) to nor can I bear bringing up my realization with aspergers/autism; I'm still ashamed and kind of in denial about it to be honest. It was something I had slightly suspected back on January 2015 while doing some research, but it wasn't until this February that I really became self-aware and was bothered by it. For the record, I don't think I want to go through the process of getting diagnosed because it would just hurt me more & I see no point in going through with it if there isn't any cure. All we can do is find our own ways to cope.

I have no idea what's going to happen to me post-grad since I had screwed up with not seeking any internships nor do I have any work experience. It was all because I was way too anxious at even the idea of having to do interviews. I know that for the most part, reporting autism in the professional world is kind of a "no-no" ... but for the time being, can I do it college so I can somewhat have an easier life for time remaining?

I found disability services to be really helpful when I did eventually swallow my pride and seek help. Before that I had failed a number of subjects through not getting work done and dropped out a couple of times. I hadn't been diagnosed with autism while I was at uni so just struggling with depression and anxiaty was enough to get help from disability services. It depends what the policy is at your uni and what you need from them. Also I seem to remember getting flyers about internships and work experience for students with disabilities so an autism diagnosis could help you if that kind of thing is available where you live. Also there should be other services at your uni that can help you with applications and interviews if that kind of thing is hard for you. Good luck

At most places, the disability services can be very helpful. The school I first attended had a terrible disabilities specialist who questioned why I was there in the first place. I received disability help in high school for both my mental and physical disabilities, so that made little to no sense. I transferred to a smaller school and it has been a far better experience. For me, I get extra time on tests to help me with anxiety about not finishing on time and preferential seating (I can sit close to the door). They can help you figure out what they can do to make your school experience a more pleasant one, basically. Good luck!

The best benefit to me was graduation! I would not have made it through without accommodations. And I got those accommodations by reporting.

A sample of the kind of accommodations that collages typical provide: extended time on tests, note takers (This was very important to me), extra help from a tutor, private test taking room. All of this can happen behind the scenes.

For me, the biggest benefit is that people who disclose a disability such as autism get priority registration so you're able to get the required classes for your major, so you can graduate in less time because you're not taking filler classes for financial aid or other reasons. When I was in college/university, you had to be a full time student to remain on your parents' health insurance, so I took whatever classes I could just to have a full load. I also didn't get my diagnosis until I was an adult and managed to have only an AA as I flunked out of the university.

If I had been diagnosed earlier, I would have taken advantage of the disability services program for the priority registration because the reason I took filler classes was that by the time I was allowed to register, the classes I needed were full. The opportunity to take tests in a private room and to have tutoring would have really helped, to the point where I would have graduated from the university. To me, if you have a disability, disclosing it and using those services is a good idea as it might help you get through college/university.

I struggled with my college, especially one teacher was a problem - he was using too much speech and complex words and I barely could understand what we are supposed to do. He wasn't writing almost anything down. My knowledge and learned abilities weren't a problem - I scored every test 90-100% - but I struggled understanding what is expected from me during the lessons.
I had to sit with a friend that could show me what we do or ask the teacher to show me what he meant when giving class an exercise to do. Which was often ending in him saying "I just explained what you are supposed to do. You should have been listening".

It gave me a depression and killed my self esteem.

Eventually I couldn't take anymore and took my grandma to his house (he was her neighbor) so she explain him I am badly depressed because of his lessons since I can't understand what he says and that I most probably have Asperger Syndrome but I am still undergoing diagnosis process. He said "I see, it explains everything. We were wondering with her homeroom teacher what is wrong with her. You should have report it a long time ago. People like this need individual approach".

Afterwards he was more patient with me and didn't tell me hurtful stuff like "You should have been listening" when I asked for help.

Yes, there are benefits. I got a single dorm room (which is difficult to get at my year at the college I go to) because I submitted a disability accommodation request to the school, based on my diagnosis. I could probably get other accommodations, but I feel I don't need them at this moment.