Other Unseen Disabilities
- Introduction
- Epilepsy
- Diabetes
- Allergies & Asthma
- ME, Cystic Fibrosis, Anaemia
- Impaired Speech
- Further help
Introduction
Some students have medical conditions which are not immediately obvious or visible, but which still may mean that they require some help or support to enable them to obtain the most from their studies. These conditions are too numerous to mention individually. We shall consider some of the more common, and identify some of the steps we can take to assist students who have these conditions. However, the main aims of the section are:
- To reinforce the point that medical conditions can have an impact on the student’s experience.
- To highlight the importance of staff awareness that students with medical conditions may have some particular needs.
Epilepsy
Epilepsy comes in various forms, with symptoms ranging from temporary loss of consciousness to major convulsive seizures. Where a student with epilepsy suffers the latter, he or she will fall to the ground and lose consciousness. Staff can help by removing any nearby furniture from the immediate area and by cushioning the sufferer’s head. As long as the seizure does not go on for more than a few minutes and the student is not injured, there is usually no need to consult medical help. However, you should stay with the student until consciousness is regained, sufferers are often tired and disoriented at this stage.
Where sufferers have a momentary loss of consciousness (or absence), they are likely to appear as if they are daydreaming but often those around them will notice nothing at all. If an absence occurs during a lecture or other activity, the student will miss part of the input.
Some epilepsy sufferers are sensitive to flickering lights or VDU screens. Students who suffer in this way may require to obtain a non-flicker VDU screen.
Epilepsy - Case Study
Katie has epilepsy. She is studying a computing-based subject and there are potential problems with this. When she is using computers, the flickering screen can trigger off an epileptic fit. ‘One lecturer said it was OK not to do the class experiment for a particular topic because the flashing of the screen might start my illness. I am careful to take breaks from the computer when I feel I need them and I also have an anti-glare screen on my own computer.’
Katie has decided to disclose her illness and that has helped lecturers to understand why she needs to avoid prolonged contact with the screen. Sympathetic lecturers have also made their overheads and notes available to help at times when concentration has been a problem. Katie is not looking for any special favours, however. ‘Generally I manage fine. It's just that I sometimes need people to be understanding. I've found most of the staff are very helpful.’
Diabetes
The vast majority of students who have diabetes will be type 1. This means that their body is unable to produce any insulin. People with type 1 use insulin, diet and exercise to control the symptoms of their diabetes.
Typically type 2 diabetes is found in people over 40, however there are some instances of younger people with diabetes who are type 2, so there may also be mature students with type 2 diabetes. Having type 2 diabetes means that their body produces some insulin but not enough. Their diabetes is controlled through diet and exercise, tablets and sometimes insulin injections.
Hypoglycaemia (hypo) is the medical term for low blood glucose level. Hypos can be caused by taking too much insulin, not eating enough food or overexertion. Glucose is important for people, as it the only fuel source that the brain and the nerves can use, so if glucose levels are low the symptoms will often be: feeling hungry, trembling, sweating, anxiety, fast pulse, tingling of lips, blurred vision, confusion, behaviour changes, stress and severe Hypos can lead to convulsions or unconsciousness.
Quick acting action : glucose tablets, a glass of fruit juice, Lucozade or Cola (not diet).
Longer acting action : A sandwich, fruit, cereal or biscuits and milk.
For severe Hypos : If conscious, place hypostop (a thick glucose gel), or jam or honey on the inside of the cheek and massage cheek. Follow this with sugary or starchy foods. If unconscious, urgent medical help should be sought.
Some diabetics inject insulin to combat high blood sugar levels. They need places with privacy to enable them to prepare and carry out their injections. The Health & Safety office to the left of A Block reception can arrange this. Some students may also need to be able to eat at regular intervals.
Allergies and Asthma
Asthma affects the sufferer’s breathing and is often related to allergies. Symptoms can include wheezing, coughing and breathlessness. Most sufferers are able to avoid the factors, which trigger their attacks of asthma, or can control the symptoms with medication. However, in a university situation, it is always possible that students may be exposed to triggers, such as chemicals, which can bring on an attack. In addition, stress is often a trigger.
Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction - the extreme end of the allergic spectrum. The whole body is affected, often within minutes of exposure to the allergen but sometimes after hours. Peanut allergy and nut allergy are frequently severe and for that reason have received widespread publicity. Causes of anaphylaxis also include other foods, insect stings, latex and drugs, but on rare occasions there may be no obvious trigger. Symptoms may include:
- Swelling and blotching on the skin.
- Swollen tongue.
- High temperature.
- Fast heartbeat.
- Loss of consciousness.
Anaphylactic shock is a dangerous condition. Urgent medical help should always be sought.
ME, Cystic Fibrosis, Anaemia
Students may have reduced stamina as a result of conditions, which can include:
- ME,
- Cystic Fibrosis,
- Anaemia.
Students with reduced stamina will obviously find it more difficult to cope with intensive courses of lectures or long examinations. Sympathetic consideration from staff can help greatly. They should also be prepared to offer advice on how to reschedule and plan work.
Impaired Speech
Students can have impaired speech for a number of reasons, but their main common difficulty is in communicating effectively in face-to-face situations with lecturers, tutors and fellow-students.
Speech-impaired students are used to managing their impairments in a variety of situations before they reach university and will have developed their own strategies for communication. Some speech-impaired people benefit by using the same kind of text telephones used by hearing-impaired people. Email and fax are also useful means of communication.
Again, the key point for staff to remember is to value the student’s own insight into his or her needs. Communicate with the speech-impaired student well in advance, using the student’s preferred means of communication, and discuss how the student has coped in similar situations. These methods may then be adapted to allow the student to contribute effectively in tutorial or group-work situations.
In some cases, the student may simply need reassurance. For example, he or she may feel self-conscious about slow speech. You may be able to assure the student that slow speech will enable other students in a tutorial situation to think about what is being said. You may also make the point that other students tend to be understanding and helpful in group situations.
Impaired Speech - Case Study
June has a stammer and was too embarrassed to approach staff at the University to explain her difficulties. She did not participate in tutorials, leading academic staff to believe that she had approached them ill-prepared.
June didn’t seek help until she had failed in a number of subjects. Only then did she contact Special Needs, who were able to speak on her behalf and make lecturers aware of her difficulties. June now has contact with academic staff on a one-to-one basis and is progressing in her studies.
Further Help
Contacts and further useful information for various medical conditions are detailed below.
Epilepsy
Epilepsy Scotland
48 Govan Road
Glasgow G5 1JL
Helpline: 0808 800 2 200
Tel: 0141 427 4911
Fax: 0141 419 1709
Email: enquiries@epilepsyscotland.org.uk
Website: www.epilepsyscotland.org.uk
Diabetes
Diabetes UK Scotland produce a leaflet for students which sets out guidance for students in managing their diabetes as well as how to get the most use from the support staff in Universities.
Diabetes UK ( Scotland)
Savoy House
140 Sauchiehall Street
Glasgow
G2 3DH
Telephone: 0141 332 2700
Fax: 0141 332 4880
Email: scotland@diabetes.org.uk
Web: www.diabetes.org.uk
Asthma
Asthma UK Scotland,
4 Queen Street
Edinburgh, EH2 1JE
Telephone: 0131 226 2544 Fax: 0131 226 2401 Email: enquiries@asthma.org.uk
ME (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis)
ME Association
Scotland Regional Office
11OA Maxwell Avenue
Westerton
Bearsden
G6l 1HH
Tel/Fax: 0141 204 3822
MS (Multiple Sclerosis)
The MS Therapy Centre is a charitable organisation, which provides care, support and practical assistance for people with multiple sclerosis, their families, carers and friends.
MS Therapy Centre
Unit 16
Chapel Street Industrial Estate
Glasgow
G20 9BD
Telephone: 0141 945 3344
Fax: 07070 645 829
Email: ms.action@btinternet.com
Website:www.ms-selfhelp.org
AIDS
National Aids Helpline (24 hour service) telephone: 0800 567 123
The Terrence Higgins Trust
52-54 Grays Inn Road
London
WC1X 8JU
Helpline: 0845 1221 200
AIDS - Reach Out Highlands
Information on aspects of sexual health, including HIV/AIDS for people living in the Highlands.
Helpline: 01463 711585
Drug Problems
National Drugs Helpline: 0800 77 66 00
Impaired Speech
British Stammering Association (Scotland),
PO Box 27087
Edinburgh
EH10 4WW
UK Helpline: 0845 603 2001 (local rate)
Tel: 08453 303 800
Fax: 0141 550 48588
Email: bsascotland@stammering.org
Website: www.stammering.org/scotland/index.html
