Thread by @Ava_Nicole23

I've been thinking about this a lot tonight. So, as someone who is autistic, ADHD, & generally neurodivergent/neurodiverse, I heavily struggle with executive functioning. Executive dysfunctioning might be my biggest barrier in life 🧵#DEHEM21 #DisInHigherEd

In college, I noticed that I really struggled in my classes when I was taking classes that had no relation to one another. For instance, if I took biology & English together, it was a nightmare. I had trouble switching topics & even thinking styles. (2/) #DEHEM21

After a few semesters, I started trying to plan my semesters so that I took similar courses & courses with similar cognitive styles together because task-switching became a nightmare for me. I got an accommodation to register early for classes (3/) #DEHEM21 #DisInHigherEd

which was the only reason this was possible. It did also mean & still does mean that I took less classes at once & an impending increase in financial burden (there was no accommodation for part time enrollment at my school) (4/) #DEHEM21 #DisabledInHigherEd #DisInHigherEd

This just further defines the burden of higher education on disabled students. I was able to find a way though tos group courses together -e both per semester & on a weekly & daily basis - after a lot of work. This allowed me to stay more cognitively present in my classes (5/)

I was also able to adapt more readily to changes in a demanding workload in neuroscience/biology (thats what my BS is in). I've learned that my energy levels & mood though also are important to this. (6/) #DisInHigherEd #DEHEM21

I have #BipolarDisorder, so I learned to take certain types of classes & change the amount of work based on my annual mood cycles (not always easy to predict - largely based on the past & not perfect, but it helped). This helped give me "buffer time" (7/) #DEHEM21

to deal with the difficulties of operating on #CripTime compared to my neurotypical/nondisabled peers. To accommodate my #BipolarDisorder, I also often do certain tasks at certain times of years which also fits this pattern. (8/) #DEHEM21 #DisInHigherEd

This is so my mind is best for dealing with those activities. Nonetheless, this is what hit is like to be a neurodivergent & disabled student in society learning to accommodate your needs in a world that you don't belong in. (9/) #DEHEM21 #DisInHigherEd

Task-switching is a nightmare. I like sticking to one type of thinking or job when I can. Being #ActuallyAutistic & #ADHD in this world are difficult. And the decision making involved in all of this is just super difficult. (10/) #DEHEM21

Trying to navigate this while also managing all my duties in college is a nightmare. (11/) #DEHEM21 #DisInHigherEd

Unfortunately, when I got to grad school, these sorts of accommodations have broken down & I cannot be accommodated like I was in my undergrad. It's unforunate. Also, with age, I think doing this is getting difficult. (12/) #DEHEM21

This rant might be all over the place, but I hope it's helpful. My mind's been everywhere over the last few days.

I hope it helps exemplify the work disabled people have to do to accommodatet themselves in a world they don't belong in. (13/) #DEHEM21 #DisInHigherEd