Many students on campus receive class-scheduling assistance, referral to tutorial services, free note-takers, extended testing time in low-distraction testing environments and priority registration.

And these students are not athletes.

These benefits are given to students with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.

Because professors may be unable to provide required accommodations for students with this disorder, academic assistants are provided to aid in completing class assignments, said Daley Connelly, a disabilities specialist in the disability services office of Clarke Howell Hall.

For starters, students diagnosed with ADHD can go to the Adaptive Technology Lab, which has computers and a variety of programs designed to ease the learning process.

A word processing program containing such capabilities as word prediction and an advanced spell checker can be found on each computer to help with writing difficulty.

“Our programs are designed to even the playing field for students with disabilities — not give certain students an advantage over others,” said Connelly.

So, how does someone suspected of having learning disabilities get such assistance?

Documentation of diagnosis from a qualified health professional is required. Such paperwork must be presented to disabilities services to receive assistance recommendations.

If an attention or learning disorder is suspected, but no formal evaluation has been completed, the Learning Disability Center will conduct necessary assessments.

“Recommendations are made on a case-by-case basis, so each student is treated differently,” said Connelly.

In general, psychological testing and interviewing is used to identify disorders.

The cost for the complete evaluation is $280 for students who have paid their health fees and $380 for those who have not. Private insurance may be billed.

Services after being tested are free.

Walk-in therapists are available in the Disability Services Office of Clarke-Howell Hall Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. to register for service and discuss personal history and symptoms.

For more information, call Disability Services at 542-8719.