Re: SAT/ACT accomodations request

[Guest guest]

Hello K,

My daughter got extended time by providing to the College Board the results of a

high school IEP evaluation/assessments (she was homeschooled but you can still

request the testing). Several of the tests (like the WISC etc) showed slowed

processing speed and/or visual spatial deficits affecting processing speed. This

could be caused by OCD (her actual diagnosis) or NLD (another suspected

diagnosis) but the tests do not diagnose OCD or NLD, nor do the school

personnel, so the testing personnel(such as the school counselor) don't address

OCD in giving the results of their evaluation, except to say it " may " be a

factor.

I don't know about ADHD, school personnel may address it directly as causal in

test taking difficulty(?) It seems schools are much more familiar with

incorporating ADHD as a diagnosis into IEPs and accommodations, so you may want

to use that part for testing accommodations, though the College Board is more

strict than individual schools in evaluating a need for accommodations.

For some reason if your child has OCD the IEP calls it emotional disturbance and

the need for classroom accommodations is not as standardized as may be for ADHD.

So saying that a student needs extended time due to OCD may not work unless you

can clearly demonstrate through assessment testing just how the OCD affects

test-taking.

I think slow processing might be key, it could be due to (based in OCD)

perfectionism in writing, compulsive erasing, rereading, processing that is

affected by a visual perception problem etc.

On another note- To those who remember my daughter who went to UCLA for

inpatient-she is getting straight A's in Jr college and planning to transfer to

a UC school in 2012. Finally a little pay off for seeing her through so much

turmoil-keeping my fingers crossed. My oldest is still in limbo, not working or

schooling but she helps out here when she can and wants to begin therapy again

after a long lapse. My son has finally adjusted to his learning center as a 9th

grader now, but he is still extremely limited by his OCD, sensory avoidance and

selective mutism. However it is so nice to have him in a routine where he does

not experience constant anxiety. My middle school son who I posted last yr was

experiencing school phobia has adjusted better this year, not too happy but

coping OK and a good student. He does not have an diagnosis. I guess we can only

get as far as having the most pressing cases of ongoing anxiety diagnosed In the

3 most OCD-affected of our kids) while he and my very shy 17 yr old daughter get

by without dx or accommodations. My 8 yr old is doing well so far in 3rd grade,

happy, but she has the shy temperament coming out more too...

nancy grace

>

> My son will be taking the SAT and ACT this spring. He has been on a 504 since

2009 for anxiety,depression, ADHD, and OCD. His guidance counselor is willing to

make the request but says that it is very difficult to get accommodations for

these tests. We are looking at extended time. Does anyone have experience with

this process? Thank you for your help. K

>

[Guest guest]

My daughter has an IEP for OCD, aspergers and all we had to do was fill

out a form to get accommodations for the SAT. Sorry I can't remember the

name of the form but you should be able to get it from the guidance

dept. or special ed dept. I would think that a 504 should allow for

accommodations.

Sandy

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