Five sentence summary Meant to be a catch-all space for tools, apps, etc. that make writing easier when you have ADHD or other conditions affecting executive functioning. Please feel free to share your own suggestions and experiences. Reference managers, more intelligent word processors, assistive technology like speech-to-text and text-to-speech, as well as tools designed for ADHD folks like Goblin.tools can all make the process of writing a little smoother. This post is meant to be updated regularly (as regularly as my ADHD allows) to share computer applications, phone apps, websites, and other tech that can make writing easier for folks who have trouble focusing, organizing, and motivating themselves to write. I have a table below with each technology, how it may help, as well as the types of systems the tech works with (Windows? Android phones?) and then the cost. I break down the tools more and explain how I've used them (or what I've heard). If you have suggestions for tools that have helped you with ADHD or another condition that has issues with executive functions, please let me know! I am happy to link to blogs, websites, etc. and give credit where it is due!
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Five sentence summary
That first conversation about your accommodation requirements can be stressful, but keeping the conversation short and understanding what instructors are and are not allowed to ask helps. Writing down a script can also reduce some of the burden. You shouldn't be afraid to refer people to the disability office. Educating everyone on accessibility is not your responsibility.
Depending on your school, your disability advisor may handle notifying your professors themselves. Or you may need to login to a website that will then allow you to notify each professor for each course electronically. In some cases, you may have to disclose your accommodations to your instructors yourself, which can be intimidating.
Why this is even necessary
Legally, all you are required to do is notify your professors that you have X,Y, and Z as formal accessibility accommodations. They are not entitled to know anything about your diagnosis or your medical history.
Instructors may ask you follow-up questions about your accommodations, especially if it is an accommodation they are unfamiliar with. It may be helpful to share specific examples of what you need or your past experiences, but this is your choice entirely. Instructors may be hesitant to agree to certain accommodations, such as allowing students to record lectures, because they misunderstand how those accommodations are used. They might worry you will sell your notes online or that their ideas will be stolen by others (it happens). It can be nice to share examples such as, "Last semester, I deleted all of my recordings after the grades were submitted" or "This one professor would warn me in advance if we were going to discuss highly personal information that I wasn't permitted to record. Then we worked together to make sure I still had the information I needed in order to study." You can always refer instructors to your disability office, especially if they have a lot of questions. Legally, you are not required to disclose anything about your condition(s), so keep that in mind. You don't even need to tell them what you are diagnosed with. A professor can only refuse an accommodation if it is unreasonable or would change the core content of the class; letting a professor know you need double time on an exam the night before might cause issues or asking for written assignments only in a public speaking course. That doesn't mean instructors won't deny your request, and you may already have experienced this. I have advice on what to do if a professor denies your accommodation request here. Five sentence summary Focusing for hours on end, especially when the topic is boring or repetitive, does not come easily to folks with ADHD. There are some steps you can take all own your own, like finding a note-taking buddy or recording the lecture (see my warnings!) and there are other steps you can take that require asking for an adjustment but not making any disability obvious, like asking for an outline of the talk in advance or asking for a break after 45 minutes. Our focus depends on a variety of factors, like hunger, ability to fidget, proximity to distractions, and it's worth thinking critically about how you focus. Identifying patterns can help us decide which tips and tricks will be most effective under which circumstances. Listening to someone talk for three hours, whether as an undergraduate student or as part of a workshop, can be daunting for those with ADHD. There are some things you can do to make focusing for extended periods of time easier, and some don't even require disclosing you have trouble focusing. Having a straight-forward, honest conversation about your needs is obviously ideal, but not every instructor, conference organizer, or speaker is disability-friendly. For one-time events, it's probably not worth your time to investigate whether or not the session leader is knowledgeable about accessibility or holds any ableist views. For longer workshop series or courses, disclosing your access needs might make more sense. I personally don't recommend saying "ADHD" at all because it's so misunderstood. That said, I do recommend, "My brain is a little different, I have a disability, etc." if you think it's safe. Steps you can take without talking to the prof or speaker:
***Recording lectures, talks, and etc. should be done with the utmost care and respect. In some cases, recording without someone's permission isn't even legal. There are often serious concerns about privacy, intellectual property, and so forth. Recordings should be used only for your own learning, should not be shared without permission, should be stored securely, and should be deleted when you have completed taking any notes. Even if you determine it is legal to record a talk without the person's permission, I advise seriously considering the potential implications and exercising extreme restraint and caution. It is better to ask for permission and explain you are recording due to a disability. |
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AuthorThere's a reason theADHDAcademic is an anonymous account and there's a reason why this website will remain anonymous. That said, there are some basics it might be helpful to know about me: DISCLAIMER: I am not a medical professional or a lawyer of any kind. All text, graphics, and content on this website are for educational purposes only. Any and all content should not be substituted for medical or legal advice. Although I strive to provide the most accurate, current, and scientifically sound information, content should never be substituted for professional advice. Always consult a medical and/or legal professional before making any decisions. Links are provided only for reference and do not necessarily imply endorsement.
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