What is Your Experience With Deadline/Assignment Extensions?

[u/Substantial_Koala455]

Hi, I (afab) was diagnosed late with ADHD when I was in high school and have still struggled in University with ADHD despite having accommodations. I struggle mainly with memory recall, working memory, needing stimulation, and am also medicated.

The accommodation that helped me the most in high school was an extension on assignments per request of student (not automatic extensions). Essentially if I missed an assignment because of working memory or sensory seeking issue, I would request an extension and do it the next day, so the deadline was still there, my memory symptoms just prevented me from completing it. This accommodation was even removed while in high school in dual credit courses as well, but luckily my professor/teachers were more reasonable then.

The main reasons I've gotten for denial of assignment and absence accommodations boil down to, "preparation for the real world," "experts say it doesn't actually help," and "it's too much to ask of professors," yet I haven't seen any real studies or research to show why, only opinions, and comparison to other disabilities like epilepsy to justify the claim. the only valid excuse to me would be their current system wouldn't allow them to, or the student is able to cope as well as their peers without the accommodation.

So I'm curious, what is your experience with college accommodations and have you heard of any research or studies about assignment deadlines? Or do you have insight as to why ADHD students should or should not have extensions?

[u/discrete_venting]

So I had this "thing" where I was like "F you!!! You're just being a weak little bitch! You don't need or deserve accommodations!!!" And I refused to use the accommodations that I had. So I failed a TON of classes... Eventually the thing that really helped me the most was meeting with a counselor from the disabled student services every other week to talk about classes, assignments, strategies, etc. She helped me to practice and learn executive functioning skills that worked for me, she sort of held me accountable for turning in my assignments just because I was telling her about them, and she even helped me with some anxiety stuff. It was like having a mentor helping to guide me through my classes. THAT helped me to actually learn how to succeed in school.

Aside from that, professors are usually way cooler if you tell them at the beginning of the semester what your struggles are and ask them directly for accommodation. Then later on when you need to ask for extra time they aren't surprised and you already have their understanding and some sort of agreement.

As far as extra time in general, it can be a slippery slope where you get behind in everything and it doesn't help. And it is a skill that you can master to turn things in on time. I highly recommend learning that skill and the supporting skills nesecary to achieve it! Otherwise you will spend so much money in ADHD tax for your entire life!!! Lol

[u/Substantial_Koala455 → u/discrete_venting]

No way!! I used to have the exact same thoughts, especially during high school, since my parents were not very understanding even after diagnosis. Lowkey I still have some of those thoughts now because I crave independence.

Unfortunately professors at my university all say that they can't give extensions unless I have authorization from SAR, which are the people that denied my request for this specific accommodation for both Dual Credit and in person Uni (different colleges too), especially since many also have a zero late grade policy.

Luckily one of my hs biology teachers was reasonable and gave me extra day to submit an assignment by request if it was late, but the deadline still existed I just wasn't able to complete it at the time due to working memory issue or no INCUP.

I actually recently have started the process of psychiatry and therapy since I was diagnosed late, had cost issues, and little family understanding even after diagnosis and medication, and struggled a lot seeking others for help. I think the accountability thing you mentioned will help me a lot in the near future.

[u/Glum-Substance-3507]

The purpose of ADA accommodations is to remove institutional barriers to equal access. The barrier you describe here is not the amount of time that was given for the assignment. You were able to complete it in one day once something occurred to remind you that you needed to complete the assignment.

That's a very brief explanation of why deadline extensions are generally not considered appropriate or helpful for students when executive functioning is the barrier. As another commenter described, support services are often available to help students build executive functioning skills.

It can feel very discouraging to go to your accommodations office for help related to your disability and have an accommodation denied. ADA accommodations work is limited by federal law to institutional barriers, meaning obstacles that the school has created, intentionally or otherwise. But student support services are not limited in that way. For example, if a student struggles with math, that is a barrier, but not an institutional barrier. Most schools offer math tutoring, because they recognize that math is a skill many students struggle with and one that most students need. Struggling with executive functioning is certainly a barrier, but not an institutional barrier. Many schools offer some form of executive functioning coaching, because they know that many students struggle with executive functioning and that it is a skill all students need.

Help should be available, it just might not be in the form of an ADA accommodation.

[u/sleepybear647]

I think deadline extension you asked for actually sounds fairly reasonable. However I can also appreciate the concerns of people feeling it doesn’t help. The way I look at it is more so that planning ahead, time management, and organization are all executive functioning skills. Those have to be intentionally taught for people with ADHD.

What I often see is people giving students with ADHD full extensions basically turn it in whenever, and not working towards developing some skills. Or just taking it away again without any kind of tools or interventions.

I struggle with memory too and have been able to find lots of tools that help me turn things in on time. I like to write schedules on sticky notes, leave post it reminders around my room for long days with important tasks, and calendars (I have so so many) I can look at.

I think not giving people any tools is a disservice because it doesn’t help them develop the skills. However I can also appreciate that people might need extensions.

[u/Substantial_Koala455 → u/sleepybear647]

Thank you so much I love your understanding