General recommendations Talk to the student early in the semester to discuss their needs as they relate to the paper. Therefore, be sensitive to the possible needs of students. However, it is not your responsibility to determine whether or not a student has a disability which will affect their performance in an educational environment this is usually determined by the student with Disability Support Services. Students with disabilities will generally have already found that certain strategies are effective for their particular situation. Ask them for suggestions about ways in which you might be able to help them work well in your paper.
Confidentiality is an important issue.
When offering assistance to a student with a disability it is extremely important to respect that person s privacy. Only the minimum details relating to a student s disability should be passed on and this should be clarified with the student beforehand. As at other times, a student s letters and professional assessments should not be given to anyone, even within the university, without the student s permission. These rights are further protected under the Privacy Act. Be sensitive to non-verbal and verbal signs of student anxiety or frustration.