My younger daughter has epilepsy and takes anticonvulsants
every day. This is a medical condition
and I know that she has no conscious decision-making capabilities when it comes
to having a seizure or not. I know what
she would choose if she could. So
despite any misgivings about putting potent chemicals into her body every day
for the last three years, we do it. We
also educate her teachers and friends about this and make sure to avoid the
pitfalls like overtiredness and the flu as best we can. Why do we do this? Because she is seven and we are her
parents. But, as maternal as my ASP
style has been noted to be, I am not the parent of anyone in this building; and the most I can hope for (and would be appropriate) is a nurturing role.
I
went to a lecture yesterday about ADHD and ADD in high IQ students and how that
all relates to Executive Function. The
gist of the lecture was that ADD and ADHD are chemical problems that have a
chemical solution. And while I understand
that this is a medical condition that cannot be consciously willed away, I was frustrated
by the lecture because I was hoping to gather more insight on how to work with
these students in an ASP setting. Without a prescription pad, I am, evidently, at a loss. The only advice that was applicable to my
position was that we need to help provide some outside structure to keep these
students on track: advice on time
management but really more on how to stick to your medicine schedule while away
from your real parents.
The lecture was attended by Academic Support type folks
from graduate and undergraduate institutions, disabilities coordinators from a
bunch of school (Deans of Students and the like) as well as at least one person
from a university health services office. But, again, without being a licensed psychologist or having medical
authority, I didn’t see the role ASP would play in this area. And yet, we probably see students with these
issues (as well as, as our lecturer put it, other comorbidities like depression
and anxiety) more than anyone. It was both helpful and then again completely
unhelpful to learn that these students are not lazy (I knew that), or lacking
willpower (I am pretty sure I knew that too). Why? Well, the skills I can teach
a student only work if the student learns and applies them, which may not
happen despite however motivated the student may be.
I cannot help a student’s
brain chemistry right itself-nor can I force a student to get out of bed and
take medication each day. I can cajole
students and nag and sometimes even place a well timed phone call to make sure
they get to class, but not much more. I
have told students that the coping behaviors they engage in to accommodate
themselves is far more draining than asking for help at the law school. I tell them that this energy could be better
spent reading, outlining or even sleeping. But I cannot, and would not, even if I could, force students to stick to
a medicine regime. Not because I don’t
believe it would help, I really do think that the medication is a wonderful
thing, but more because my students are adults and I need to treat them that
way.
Now, let’s see if I can remember that when my children go off to college.
(ezs)
