Does anyone here use disability services at their school? With my mental health diagnosis I qualify for them and my therapist has suggested that I start utilizing them next semester when I go back to school, and I definitely think that's a good idea! She told me to come up with a list of services I think I would benefit from and without being in school it's kind of hard, but I have come up with a couple of things: Tests in a different room and extended time on tests and notes taken for me since I have difficulty concentrating in class.

What sorts of things do you get for help?

When I was at university I was part of the Disability Services because I have dyslexia and a working memory problem. I found the services really helpful, of course it all depends on who your 'person' at DS is and your schools services. I mainly used them for tests and exams. I was able to get a smaller room (so less distractions), time and a half, use of a computer for long answer and essay questions (which was a lot of my program), and the use of a formula sheet for my stats courses.

I also was able to get extensions on assignments if needed (only used this 2-3 times throughout my undergrad). Even if the services are not entirely used all the time, because our professors had to sign the forms they formally acknowledged that I had access to the services and therefore I was able to use this if I had problems with a prof (which happened once).

PM if you want more details and I would be happy to help.

I have briefly thought about it, but I don't. I have anxiety that changes in severity depending on the day. Some days my fight or flight response is so bad that I really want to leave class. Sitting there is so hard when I'm feeling dizzy and my heart is pounding, etc. There was one class I even dropped because for some reason I felt very anxious there. I had to leave one day and the teacher glared at me all the way out. I never went back because I felt so awkward and weird and didn't feel comfortable talking to him about it.

^ I understand what you mean about anxiety. I suffer from that, among other things and have had to leave class because of it before. It sucks.

I utilize my school's disability services, and it really does help. Due to my fibromyalgia, I get sick a lot more often than most students and I have a hard time meeting deadlines and sometimes miss more class than a typical student. I'm allowed 6 excused missed classes a semester (as opposed to 3) and if I need an extension on something, I can usually get it. I also have the option to take exams in a separate room with double time available, but I dont really use that because test taking doesnt bother me. I also get to register for classes 3 weeks in advance of the rest of my grade as to make sure that I can get classes in my optimum schedule-- no super early or super late classes.

It really does help, and I recommend taking advantage of the extra opportunity that it gives you for succeeding.

I used disability services at university because I have a severe hearing impairment.

I had a note-taker for all of my classes, which was extremely helpful, especially when I had lecturers that weren't easy to hear and/or understand. I never actually saw any of my note-takers, but from what I can gather they were paid to photocopy their notes and put them in my folder, which is pretty awesome for them, too, lol. At the end of each week I'd go and collect my folder, which had notes from all of my classes that week.

I had the ability to register with disability services due to my severe calculations/mathematics disorder called Dyscalculia. Most people are never diagnosed with it because they just assume math is hard for them, so it's pretty unheard of versus Dyslexia, which is diagnosed commonly. Disability Services at my school was pretty awful. They didn't see my diagnosis as something that required accommodations beyond extra time and different setting for exams, which I didn't even need and therefore never took advantage of. My struggle with disability services held up my diploma for a full year, and made me suffer a great loss in terms of my GPA. I ended up having to go above their heads and contact the Chancellor's and Provost's offices, as well as Academic Affairs. I had recommendations from a dozen professors, a doctor, my dean, two advisers, and the vice provost. Finally, I was able to finally get the accommodation I needed, but it was a two year long battle and not easy whatsoever. I wouldn't be surprised if you caught some slack for trying to get registered for depression, but every school is different and every DS office is different.

I used disability resources for my last 3 years of school. I had trouble focusing during exams and was given time and a half for exams and a distraction free room. I chose not to use either of these for quizzes since our quizzes were only ever 15-20 minutes long.

I'm going to try and get things straightened out ASAP. I have to come up with a list of accommodations I would like and send it to my therapist and we'll go from there.

I used mine for help getting accommodations for issues stemming from severe complex PTSD. My disability service office was really great about it. I went in just on a wing and a prayer because I wasn't certain that they would consider a psych issue as something needing support. They were able to help get me a small private dorm room away from most foot traffic (triggers at night were a huge concern at the time). It was beneficial to me as well as prevented any poor unsuspecting soul having to room with someone who might scream in their sleep or have a flashback just because they walked across they room while I was sleeping.

I can really relate with Coccinella-sometimes the anxiety made it extremely difficult to sit in a class when everything in my brain was screaming "danger get out!" I know I was afforded the opportunity to leave if really needed to without penalty. It was very rare that that was ever needed (twice I believe in the whole time I was there) but knowing it was there was helpful.

I had professors make sure they had assignments either printed on handouts with dates due or posted in a place where I could go back and reference them to make sure I was aware of them all. It was too easy to miss an assignment given just verbally.

If you have difficulty concentrating in class you might also request that you be allowed to record the lectures. That way you can listen to it in smaller pieces.

best wishes to you!

I think I've come up with a comprehensive list so I'm going to email my therapist and have her get going on things.

Thanks guys for the help and support and ideas.