How did you get your ADHD teen through SAT's?
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Anonymous
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My 15yo son has really really bad inattentive ADHD. We've been on a roller coaster ride of meds since he's been in 4th grade, and while some worked for awhile, they all have failed eventually. Currently, he's not on anything because the last two were a disaster. Hoping to try again come August.
PSAT's are this year, and SAT's on the horizon. Starting to think about how we're going to get through this. His exec. function skills are practically nilch, he's begun to push back on my help/support and doesn't willingly use a tutor. I don't know how he will ever prepare for them. He is very smart and tends to test well, but it's the prep and the sustained attention and effort during the test that I'm concerned about. Any advice? |
Anonymous
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My son has severe inattentive ADHD and autism level 1 - but luckily, he's academically-inclined and generally compliant. He was on Adderall for his high school years, which gave him unwanted side effects (underweight, flat affect), but which was the only medication that worked to keep him focused... until it started to not work in 12th, but by that time, he'd done most of the work.
We paid for an expensive one-on-one ACT tutor from Prep Matters. The group lessons or self-study would have been a disaster. This was presented as non-negotiable and just a fact of life. |
Anonymous
| ^ he did not take the PSAT or SAT. The tutor determined that the ACT suited him better. |
Anonymous
| Have you tried things like listening to electronic music while studying? Or rewards he loves for 30 minutes of studying? Or doing flashcards for vocab while walking outside? Coffee? |
Anonymous
Or letting him mainline sugar while he studies (lifesavers, gummies, etc)? |
Anonymous
This is a great strategy. It helped me through grad school. |
Anonymous
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Thanks for the above tips - we do let him listen to music, but haven't specifically told him which to try. I'll make that suggestion.
I have offered coffee, but he says he doesn't like it. Will try sugar! The biggest issue is his lack of motivation to use strategies that are offered or to ask for help, or to accept help. We ended 9th grade with him begging to stop the medication because of side effects, refusing to try another, not showing up to the extra help sessions offered by his teachers, and not accepting our help at home. We're clearing the air this summer and will set some new guidelines come August before the new school year. I'm just getting nervous about the next few years now that grades really matter, study habits matter and the SATs and college applications are around the corner. |
Anonymous
| ACT was easier for some reason. Meds. Tutor weekly. No way they can focus for such an extended period of time without meds. |
Anonymous
| Have him do the prep while moving as much as possible. Drill vocab while playing catch, etc. |
Anonymous
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? Did SAT get updated to include vocabulary? I thought only the GRE needed vocabulary study. SAT includes all the math formulas you need, and it doesn’t go past pre-Calc.
I allowed my kid to drink Coke, caffeine plus sugar. Separate tutor is a good idea. |
Anonymous
| DC got a perfect score in math on the psat but bombed the rest. I'm considering getting them a tutor, but there seems to be little intrinsic motivation to improve. Maybe if they declare a math major, a decent school would overlook the discrepancies? They are already medicated and capable; just only try in areas they like. |
Anonymous
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Studied with friends online, did Khan Academy by himself all summer.
He didn't want to do test prep course for whatever reason! He did have extended test time due to 504 plan in place since 1st grade, but had to redo ADHD evaluation/testing in senior year to get ready for college etc.. |
Anonymous
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-One-on-one tutors through Prep1on1.com
-Extra time accommodation (in place for school and College Board for years for AP exams, so not new) -Meds |
Anonymous
My kid got got a perfect score on the SAT 2x and same for PSAT. I asked kid and they confirmed you don’t need past first semester pre-Calc. I don’t know where he is in Highschool math, but if his math level is BC-Calc & above, you might be able to try that depending on university. What is his verbal score? If you can afford it, I would get college councilor who can advise you and recommend SAT prep. I would go look on the University side of DCUM. Universities now compete for high SAT scores to keep their rank up. It’s so hard to say….. |
Anonymous
| This isn't the answer you want but, we didn't do it at all. |