Expert: Norm Bishop - 9/18/2008

Question
Hi. My daughter is in her 3rd year of college.  This year she cannot concentrate on her work, cannot read more than 3 pages. Went to school counselor, told she may have ADD, made appt w doctor but appt is not until 10/8.  She feels at her wits end.  What to do?  She is probably going to go to the ER room at the local hospital which is a very good hospital and has a good psych department.  I myself have depression which is treated successfully with drugs. Just would like your opinion as to what we should do.  She is afraid she will fall behind in school work; of course, she is the most important thing.  Thank you.

Answer
If she gets a diagnosis of ADD or ADHD then she can get some assistance in the form of accommodations from her school.  Prior to that, unless she already has a diagnosis from previous years, there isn't much that they are required to do.  Depending upon which school she attends, the school may have tutoring available.  Usually smaller private schools provide tutoring upon request...they actually use their work-study money and pay other students who know the subject needed.  She should check with the Disability Coordinator on campus and see what resources exist.  

A similar thing happened to one of my children during his 2nd year of college.  Fortunately, he had been already diagnosed as being ADD during his junior year of HS.  He called me telling me that he couldn't concentrate and was falling behind in his coursework.  He was basically calling to gain my permission to drop out and go to work.  I told him to go to the disabilities coordinator at his college, Concordia Lutheran in Portland, Oregon, and he was able to hook directly up to tutoring and other accommodations.  He pulled all his grades up and had that resource until he graduated.  He now has a pretty successful marketing career started.  

Good luck to you and your daughter