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mattje
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Age: 36
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20 Oct 2010, 12:29 pm

I'm having a problem with group work at university and would really appreciate some advice. I have ADHD-PI, an autistic spectrum disorder and social anxiety disorder. I'm in my final year of my course and one of my modules is a group project. This is my third attempt at completing my final year, and it's my last chance to finish my degree. I find communicating in a group difficult; I am very quiet and end being ignored by the other group members. I don't know anyone doing the module and everyone is already in a group.

I've asked the professor if he'll let me do the project on my own but he isn't backing down. I'm registered with my university's disability service so I can ask them to speak to him, but this is where my anxiety is a problem. I don't want to be the only person doing the project on their own because part of the module is a music performance. I also don't want to seem like I'm using my disability as a crutch.

I have until tomorrow's seminar to find a group because there are presentations on Monday. This is the easiest option but I really don't want to be unhappy for the rest of the semester. I also don’t want to rely on other people for my final mark because this year is worth 75% of my degree classification. My other option is deferring the module until next semester when I can do it my own. If I choose this I can get the work finished now and perform it next semester, but I will have to submit medical evidence and it’s a lot of hassle.

I don't know what to do. :(



AardvarkGoodSwimmer
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20 Oct 2010, 3:19 pm

Okay, I think I would recommend going medium formal. Get with your university's disabled services, 'Would like for you to be there when I talk with my professor . . . Would at least begin thinking about doing the project on my own.'

And maybe say to the disability services person, And, this is our chance to do a little education. Asperger's doesn't mean not able, it just means able in a different way.

And, if you get with a group, 'I'm willing to do my share. I'm not willing to do more than my share. Or, I'll tell you what, if everyone did that, things would spiral downward. So, I'm willing to do a little bit more than my share. I'm not willing to do a lot more than my share.'

I think that's a good opening negotiating position with your fellow students. Gives you a reasonable chance of success, then adjust as you go (even if you in fact end up doing a lot more than your share, just don't say that at the beginning).