u/Impossible-Acadia-31

Whilst I thought I had experienced it all, each semester seems to throw up another challenge 🤣 I teach on a predegree certificate programme and this semester have had the largest number of students ever with extreme anxiety. The most extreme case is a young woman who had to be escorted to the classroom for the first few days by admin staff. She has made some big steps in that she will now make her way to the class by herself. However, she has to sit at the back and look away from everyone. She cannot bear to have any other student be near her, and had a complete breakdown and had to be escorted from class when she has to walk past a student at the front of a row and claimed 'he hated her' and was hysterical (this is when I ushered her out of the class). I might add that she has no problem talking to me or admin or her other lecturers and often discusses 'what works for her learning' or 'I have anxiety' or another comments like 'I was up all night, I have an addiction to YouTube'. At times, I wonder if we are being manipulated! Then feel bad for feeling that way. The latest issue is that the class has a practice test tomorrow. She has all sorts of accommodations (some I think are excessive as she is capable). I told her what was happening, and she got very agitated that she may need to sit a test (even after explaining it carries no marks). She then said to me 'well, what do I do'. I said you either sit the test or do not attend. She got quite put out. At this point, I am over having to deal with her needing 1 on 1, and am not happy with dealing with her anxiety in test conditions. There are other high needs students. In her mind it is like 'class at 10 am'. What should I do? I might add, her parents are in close contact and are trying to foster independence so we are at least on the same page.