What to Expect in the Classroom
If you as a faculty member "suspect" that you have a student who has a disability, proceed with caution when speaking to the student. Do not ask outright if she/he has a disability. Rather, base your communication on work demonstrated in your classroom. Keep communication and concerns directed toward academic progress in your class. Note what you observe and ask them questions about their experiences in high school and even earlier history. If they disclose to you that they have had longstanding areas of challenges in school and have even had services, then probe deeper. What kind of services? Did they have an IEP or 504 plan? If they say yes, or disclose that they had of their own volition, they have just disclosed that they have disabilities. Then you can make that important referral to the DSS office for services. There we can discuss how they might benefit from accommodations at the college level.