Autistic guy at university using his disability to get away with everything

AylesburyDuck

Please dont call it political correctness gone mad, when all it is is common decency to another human being.:eek:
Frankly its better than being in the stone age...

WibblyGirly

AylesburyDuck wrote: »

The uni are giving extensions for all, how is that putting them at a disadvantage!

They are only getting extensions because this lad isn't pulling his weight! Extensions mean the work is dragging on when it could have been done and handed in. It's likely they have other assignments due soon while this one is still taking up time that it shouldn't be thus disadvantaging future work from having their full attention.

Jenniefour

Tiddlywinks wrote: »

The law is there to 'level the playing field' and give equal access to goods and services.

This student should receive reasonable support (and additional time etc) to facilitate his studies. What he shouldn't get is the ability to unreasonably disrupt classes and fellow students and get a degree if his abilities are below the required standards.

That's just fair and equitable to all.

As an individual we all have our own levels of ability. Some of us face challenging physical or mental health conditions that require support.

If our ability does not equal our aspirations (even after reasonable support) then we need to change goals. That's just a fact of life.

This student is struggling - that is negatively impacting on his fellow students. If the uni is providing all reasonable support and he is still struggling then the course is not for him.

Spot on. The student with autism is clearly struggling, and to allow that to continue is not fair to him. It appears to be a situation where his level of functioning/ability to cope with University has been misjudged, or he has reached the present limits of his capabilities. The University needs to take responsibility for assessing his ability to function accurately and finding out whether any further help can be offered to him which would help him to cope well enough. And that may mean he needs to leave either the course he's on or University. Leaving him in a situation which he is clearly experiencing as stressful is most certainly not taking care of his best interests, and possibly encouraging unrealistic expectations.

It is not acceptable to expect other students to put up with the negative impact of his behaviour especially as it is directly interfering with their studies. Their right to go about their work undisturbed must be protected. Whilst allowing e.g. extensions on work, is helpful as a temporary measure it must not turn into the solution to this situation. Their ability to do their best must not be compromised by the behaviour of one other student - whether there is some kind of disability or not.

Izadora

AylesburyDuck wrote: »

Please dont call it political correctness gone mad, when all it is is common decency to another human being.:eek:

What about common decency towards the people whose chances are being negatively affected by something beyond their control?

Pollycat

Izadora wrote: »

What about common decency towards the people whose chances are being negatively affected by something beyond their control?

And there we have positive discrimination - which is just as unfair as discrimination on any other ground, including mental health issues.

peachyprice

I think some of the responses on here highlight exactly what the OP is finding herself up against.

This guy must have be able to focus enough to gain the grades needed to satisfy entry requirements, he was focused enough to go through the application process, he got their on his own merit and should now be up to performing to the required standard, autistic or not. This is not compulsory education where he just has to make the best of a bad situation with those around tolerating hos disruptive behaviour, he CHOSE to take this course.

AylesburyDuck

shakes head in disbelief.:(

Tiddlywinks

AylesburyDuck wrote: »

shakes head in disbelief.:(

I'm just as astonished at your responses.

You are suggesting that someone be given a 'free pass' because they are disabled.

The student in question is not performing - if he continues to under-perform (even after reasonable support) then he should be asked to leave the course and do something that does match his capabilities.

How can this make you shake your head in disbelief?

Individuals have their own capabilities - disabled or not - it is in everyone's best interests to match the task to the ability.

Caroline_a

I do also think that the college has a duty to tell the student whether or not their behaviour would enable them to hold down a job in the industry. This was briefly touched on I think, but it is very unfair expecting someone to go through a 3 (?) year course with the corresponding costs, only to find out that he is unable to hold a job down due to the (possible unrealistic) expectations of the industry.

annandale

I think there's a lot of information in the opening post that was unnecessary.

Surely there is someone apart from the tutor that you can go to and express your concerns

I'd do that before posting about it on a forum to be honest