Who should I tell?
I'm in my third year of university (off and on, due to medical problems unrelated to AS), and I've only just figured out about my having AS. So since I've been coping okay up until now, without knowing what the problem was, I'm wondering who I should tell, or if I should keep it entirely to myself. A few specific people come to mind:
1) should I tell the campus disability office? I had a blind housemate a couple of years ago who is still on the comittee, and my university has a really good disability office, from everything I've heard. But I don't have an official dx, and I'm still debating whether it would be worthwhile to seek one. Without it, I'm not sure what the office could do, or even if I'd be allowed to participate in things like the student support group.
2) should I tell the counselling department (separate from the DO), who are in my past experience kind of useless, but might have some advice on things like time management, etc.?
3) should I tell any of my professors? In some of my classes, there's absolutely no reason it would ever come up, but in some others, mostly seminar classes, it might make a big difference. On the other hand, I have been coping this long, and I'm not sure I want special treatment, rather than being forced to adjust and make it on my own somehow. The other thing is that some of my professors have very confusing (for me) lecture styles, and if I tell them, they'd probably let me use a voice recorder so I could listen to the lectures a few times, to make sure I understood it. That's a big consideration, since I'm in some very demanding classes this semester (in specific, my 400-level seminar on Archaeological Method and Theory, which professor enjoys giggling at her own jokes and trying to sound "hip and cool", which just confuses me to no end).
4) should I tell the RA? I kind of did my university residence experience backwards, since I had some friends with an apartment who have since graduated, so my first couple of years I was in with very quiet, studious-type people, and basically a room hermit. They've graduated, so I decided to try the dorm, in a single room. But should my RAs be made aware, in case there's a problem? And there could be; I have some issues with loud music and thumping that, if I'm having a breakdown, could make me lash out at the people in my building. Also, i don't do change well, and I got very confused and had to stare at the front door for a while this morning because someone broke it last night, and there was aboard instead of a door. So the RAs could conceivably help this problem by letting me know about things like this when they happen, so it won't throw me. But I'm not sure how other students will react to it.
Mostly, I'd just like advice. A lot of things have really fallen into place for me since figuring out that I have AS, but it's still a very new way of looking at the world, actually having a concrete reason that I can give people for why I do and say some of the things I do. I'm not sure of how I should go about disclosing that information.
Thanks for any help you can give.
"1) Should I tell the campus disability office?"
I'd heavily advise that you do tell them. The disability office in my college were only too willing to help me once I had got in touch with them and told them I had AS. You may not be officially diagnosed, but they should be able to help you get in contact with those who can legitimately see whether you have AS or not.
There is a lot a disability office can do. Once I registered, a plethora of options opened up for me. I was pretty much bumped straight up to the top of the waiting list for on-campus accommodation, I received a free computer with special software, I have learning support tutors available if need be. You should go for it. It might be the best decision you make in your college life
"2) Should I tell the counselling department?"
I'm not sure about this. I've learned that counselling is not the same as going to see someone who specialises in mental health. Maybe you should tell them if you find yourself suffering from depression, but ultimately if you go to the DO first, they can decide whether you need it or not.
"3) Should I tell any of my professors?"
Again, go to the DO. My DO can, at my instruction, inform my professors that they have a person with AS in their class. They will not mention specifics about the fact that it's me, so it's helpful if you don't want many people knowing about it.
"4) Should I tell the RA?"
I can't tell whether it's good or bad. Maybe just ask your RA to inform you of any changes in the building, or tell them that you don't like loud music and maybe they could ask those near you not to be too noisy?
I'd heavily advise that you do tell them. The disability office in my college were only too willing to help me once I had got in touch with them and told them I had AS. You may not be officially diagnosed, but they should be able to help you get in contact with those who can legitimately see whether you have AS or not.
There is a lot a disability office can do. Once I registered, a plethora of options opened up for me. I was pretty much bumped straight up to the top of the waiting list for on-campus accommodation, I received a free computer with special software, I have learning support tutors available if need be. You should go for it. It might be the best decision you make in your college life
"2) Should I tell the counselling department?"
I'm not sure about this. I've learned that counselling is not the same as going to see someone who specialises in mental health. Maybe you should tell them if you find yourself suffering from depression, but ultimately if you go to the DO first, they can decide whether you need it or not.
"3) Should I tell any of my professors?"
Again, go to the DO. My DO can, at my instruction, inform my professors that they have a person with AS in their class. They will not mention specifics about the fact that it's me, so it's helpful if you don't want many people knowing about it.
"4) Should I tell the RA?"
I can't tell whether it's good or bad. Maybe just ask your RA to inform you of any changes in the building, or tell them that you don't like loud music and maybe they could ask those near you not to be too noisy?
I done all fouone more but three are done more offend to get an understanding of me.
_________________
"You are the stars and the world is watching you. By your presence you send a message to every village, every city, every nation. A message of hope. A message of victory."- Eunice Kennedy Shriver
