[polyprotic]

Long story short, I have a moderate to severe case of PTSD in which I have a hyperactive startle response, especially when I am deprived of normal sight or hearing, to the point that I cannot listen to music with both earbuds in, for example. Three times this happened while I was having a flashback and I became violent before realizing that I was not in danger. In my Spanish class, we will be working in a computer lab in which I will have to put on a pair of noise-blocking earphones and sit in a three-sided cubicle with my back exposed. I really don't think that's a good idea for me, but I will likely receive a 0 for every activity I refuse to participate in. But I don't want to say anything to my teacher or the school because really, it's none of their business, and they will probably have to document it on my permanent record. So my question is: how do I get out of this without explaining the problem?

I should also mention that my parents don't know I'm still having symptoms (I was diagnosed four years ago). I would really like to keep it that way because they will probably try to make my drop out of the IB program and not let me go to college out of state in the Fall. I also don't want to upset them like they were when I was originally diagnosed.

[Sannah]

Many professors are really understanding. I would talk to him about it. He can't tell your parents and I doubt that he would write it down. Where would he write it?????

[polyprotic]

I'm still in high school, so they can tell my parents anything they know. They can (and probably would) fill out a form documenting me as having such a disorder. They call it 504, and do it all the time for kids with any condition from diabetes to Down's. So pretty much all of my teachers would know, and my parents would have easy access. They would probably even have to sign the form.

I think I'm just going to suck it up and go along with it to the best of my ability.

[Typo]

Do you have a therapist? If so have the therapist write a very general note to the teacher explaing that this would make you uncomfterable, or maybe talk with the teachear about alternatives, I did this for a class, I am like you I can't put both earbuds in, or have my back turned. I had a class where we had an activity like you mentioned, and I went to my professer during office hours and told her I have PTSD adn doing this activty would aggrivate my symptoms, we agreed for me to do this at a diffrent time, where I could have one headphone over my ear and I was comfterable being in the room with the professer there. Maybe you and your teacher should brainstorm for ideas.

I wish you the best of luck and let us know how things go hun

Best wishes and peace
Sparrow

[skeksi]

I understand your reluctance to tell your parents or teachers for fear that this turns into a paperwork nightmare that involves all your teachers. Were I in your situation, I might try two things before reevaluating the situation:

1. Tell the teacher that it is really hard for you to concentrate in the lab and ask to do it before/after school or in an alternate setting (for example, could you do this in a classroom when it's unused).

2. Talk to the guidance counselor, if you trust that person at all. Again, I would try the concentration excuse first. If that doesn't work, you might broach the ptsd subject. It may be that the teacher and guidance counselor will be willing to help you work around the lab issue without drawing up all the 504 paperwork.

And though I know you won't like it, you might consider:
3. Tell your parents what's going on and discuss the possibility of a 504. They are put into place in order to give students the accommodations they need. They are not intended to humiliate you. Teachers are bound by confidentiality (if they don't, they are violating the law).

PTSD is a disorder that might always be with you in some form. Needing an accommodation to feel more comfortable in a school activity does not mean you are sick, unable to be independent, or weird. It means you are jumpy because you were traumatized. That's it.

I wish you luck.

[VickiesPath]

The background of this accommodation is, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 requires that any entity receiving federal funds has the responsibility to accommodate any handicapping condition of any participant in order for that participant to receive the services to the same beneficial level as other participants who are not handicapped. Documentation of the handicap is required. Not just anyone can claim to have a condition which handicaps them. They must have a doctor's statement or a statement from a professional which substantiates the condition. If the condition can be documented, the institution is required to do whatever is necessary to make the accommodation.