How to Handle Long Projects and Papers With ADHD
Long projects with distant deadlines are hard for ADHD brains. Break them into milestones, start ugly, and use external deadlines to keep moving.
College Accommodations for ADHD: How to Get Them in the US
How ADHD accommodations work in US colleges, common examples like extended test time, and step-by-step how to register with disability services.
I Post About ADHD··3 min read
Photo: Rabie Madaci on Unsplash
The short version
- US colleges must provide accommodations for students with disabilities under the ADA and Section 504.
- In college, you have to request accommodations yourself through the disability services office.
- Common ADHD accommodations include extended test time, a quieter testing room and note-taking support.
High school and college handle accommodations differently. In K–12, schools have a duty to identify students who need support. In college, you start the process.
The law in brief
Under the ADA and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, colleges that receive federal funding must provide reasonable accommodations to qualified students with disabilities. ADHD can qualify.
Common ADHD accommodations
- Extended time on tests (often time and a half)
- A reduced-distraction testing room
- Breaks during exams
- Note-taking support or permission to record lectures
- Priority registration (to build a schedule that works)
- Audio versions of textbooks
How to get them
- Find the disability services office. It may be called Accessibility Services or Student Disability Services.
- Gather documentation. Usually a letter or evaluation from a licensed clinician describing your diagnosis and how it affects learning. Requirements vary, so check the office’s website.
- Register and meet with a coordinator. You’ll talk about what you need.
- Receive an accommodation letter. You typically share it with each professor at the start of the term.
- Renew each term if your school requires it.
Start early: before the term begins, or as soon as you can. Accommodations usually don’t apply retroactively to past exams.
Tips
- You don’t have to tell professors your diagnosis, only the approved accommodations.
- Book exam rooms early if your school requires it.
- If something isn’t working, go back to disability services.
Requirements differ by school. Check your college’s disability services website for its exact process.
Try it: Accommodations FinderChoose the challenges you face at work or school and get a list of common accommodations to discuss.
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Sources and further reading
This article is for education and organization, not medical advice. Read our medical disclaimer and editorial policy.
