College - English and Speech course accommodations

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I was diagnosed with ASD in August 2015; I have difficulty with written and spoken communication with the way they teach it in college. I received a B in Technical Writing, ENGL 2311 in Texas. However it is the Speech and Rhetoric courses that give me trouble, they want us to write 1000-1250 words on something that can be easily done in 500-750 words or less. It is just so hard for me to be as verbose as the college wants us to be in these courses. I want to know if anyone has received accommodations for these courses, and what were they? Was anybody able to get a substitution for a Rhetoric or Speech class? BTW, I got a B in Technical Writing without having ENGL 1301, which is basically Composition I, so I know how to write. I just can't do it the way they[my university] wants me to.

I wouldn't know what the rules for your particular college would be. The rules for accommodations can very somewhat between individual institutions. I would suggest trying to figure out what staff on the college deal with accommodation matters and to ask them.

First, the easy part. The department that deals with accomodations is usually called the center for educational access (or something similar).

However, don't count on getting the sort of accomodation you described. I understand your frustration, I really do. BUT, your problem is due to boredom and disinterest, not because the assignmments are flawed.

It sucks, but your only option is (probably) to just get through the class as best you can. And then avoid the ENGL department like the plague.

Of course, if you can actually address all the points in a writing assignment in fewer words, most professors won't bonk you too badly. At least, that's been my experience.

I do hate assignments which could be done in one page but professors just wants to write it in ten. It usually feels like I'm restating the same idea over and over again

I agree with this.

I am too wordy in the way I write. And talk.

It honestly doesn't help that you took technical writing first. I am saying this as the former head of a technical writing department. That style of writing is clear and concise, which is the opposite of what is expected now.

You kind of want to forget technical writing for this speech and rhetoric course. I hate the word "rhetoric" by the way. Try substituting the word "bullsh*t" for "rhetoric" whenever you hear it and you'll be amazed how well it works.

What I do when I write "academic" papers is to write the body first in plain language, like I'm talking to myself. I might even put something like, "[something about stupid concept here]". Then I go back over it and clean it up, to replace repetitive words and make it sound more professional. Put passive voice into active voice as needed. Lastly, I put an introduction and conclusion on it. If I am short, I'll read back over it and see what concept I have missed. Then I'll slip back in and write a paragraph about that. I always get As doing it this way, and always go over word requirement length.

As for the speech giving. Just stand up and give a memorized speech. Find a couple of targets in the audience and alternate looking back and forth. You will get an A or B.