Notifying Professors

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So I do not want special accommodations from the University since I feel I can do just nicely without them. However, I am not sure how to go about letting people know why I "act weird" without registering with the Disability Center. Is it wrong to just let them know that I am not requesting any accommodation, so I am not registered with the school as having a disability, but to just give them a heads up as to why I may look like I'm not paying attention, or why I have trouble speaking? Or should I just register and not use the services. See, I am of the mind that I can get along just fine without special help, I just want some respect. I don't want a teacher to rip harass me for stumbling over words, or to rip papers from me because I'm "not paying attention." I don't want to register, I just want to explain, but should I only explain if I am registered?

I did not post that. No. I am not mascurading as someone else, pretending I did not post that. I did not post that.


Yep.

Just register. I can tell when I am misunderstood. When they know there is 'something' in advance it comes across the beginning paperwork or something. I'd say, just register.....like I should.....

First off, in college teachers do not take papers from you or otherwise treat you like you are a 2 year old if you are not paying attention. The professors are pretty much there to teach the class (unless you are at a research university, then they are there to do research and teaching is part of the job despcription). They figure that you already paid your money for the class and if you do not want to pay attention, that is you business.

Finally, as far as stumbling on words, most professors will not harrass you for that either. In fact, most colleges realize that you have a choice as to whether you attend or not and whether you will pay to go to that school or not. It is a business and treated as such. In the off-hand that a professor does harrass you (in the course of my bachelors degree, I only had one do so to me), simply reminding them that you are the customer usually works.

If you do not want any accomidations, then you do not need to register with the disability liason. I would suggest though that you know where the office is on the off moment that you may need their assistance. I am sure you can register at any time and not first thing in the semester (which may bode better for you anyways as I am sure they are very disorganized at the beginning of the semester, especially fall semester).

I know that college professors are not SUPPOSED to rip papers away from students, or to harass students, but last week, one of my professors did both. It was the first time at a university that it has happened to me, and it really bothered me. I felt like I was right back in 4th grade, standing in front of the class, clueless as to why my teacher felt the need to publicly humilate for doing something "wrong." I haven't had to have proof of a disability before, I just talked to my professors and they generally understood and gave me space. But this guy refused to quit being an a**h****and spent three minutes mocking my attempt to defend myself. I finally gave up and tried to disappear in my arms (which isn't possible, no matter how much you may wish it.) I stopped listening to his diatribe after three minutes, so it might have gone on longer. I have no idea what my classmates thought of the episode, although I am proud of myself for waiting until I got home to meltdown.

I just want respect, is it too much to ask?

Personally, if you don't want (or need) the services, the best thing to do would probably be to talk to the professors individually if you see AS to be a concern in or around the classroom. If they don't respond positively to you telling them, then it would be a good idea to go to the disabilites office. Talk to someone who works there and tell them that you don't need special accomodations (there are people with AS who have learned to function very well in everyday life... or even just in the classroom), but you would like their assistance in explaining this to your professors.

If any of your professors understand AS, they shouldn't have a problem with this.

Hey, thanks. I figured that is what I would do, it is just nice to get a second opinion, especially from people like me.

I dont think many people understand AS...even my GP was clueless...I would personally have the Disabilities office contact the professor to "educate" him about the issues...the only thing that can cure "*holeism" in my opinion,is the bully fearing getting consequences for their behavior...I think he would be more "considerate" of you if he knows that someone else has your back(disabilities office)and
he will be accountable for his behaviorYou may not need accomidation like a wheel chair ramp...but I wouldnt turn down assestence from people who can help create an equitable learning environment free from harrasment......Personally< I never would have made it through college with out the understanding and patience of some great teachers....some teachers may have to be "pressured" into
acting that way....sad but true.

I think that's a very important point: the prof is a bully. It sounds like it, from your description. So - there are rules and checks against bullies when they are profs, and *that* I would invoke.

A prof who doesn't understand you can and should be polite. The more I think about it, the more I think it's not about you, it's about "what sort of prof rips up papers and tells off students in front of class for 3 mins?" Where does prof think he is, West Point?

I hope you'll talk to somebody about it. I hope you've got a counsellor somewhere, and I hope you'll talk to the Disability people - would they do things without your consent?

dexkaden,

Now that you have calmed down, you should find the student ombudsman (most US colleges have one) and tell them the exact story. I am sure this professors higher ups will want to know about this because I think this is a clear case of harrassment and the last thing the school would need is a lawsuit against one of their professors.

If it will not affect you too much, you can consider withdrawing from the class. At this point, I think you would still be reimbursed 50% of the class costs and if you put down the story as a reason, someone may take notice.

I wonder if this professor is a new hire who has only worked in the public education scene where persons are forced to be in their class whether they want to or not. You do not hear about stuff like that too often in college.

I am working on registering right now, and will probably do so tomorrow once I get all the paperwork. My parents were livid. I have had many professors and teachers before, and only a select few have gone out of their way to make me miserable. This guy was substituting for my regular professor (whom I like), so he was only there for two days. He is the dean of the college of economics, and I might press the issue but he is retirng at the end of the semester, so I don't think it will do much. He has been teaching for 40 years and claims to be very "understanding and appreciative of people of diversity." (Why is that those who claim to be understaning are usually the most close-minded?)