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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Has anyone had to have their school administer the ACT individually to their child (rather than them taking it at a designated testing center) because of the type of accommodations required?

That's the situation we are in, and I'm trying to figure out how a test date is determined. The ACT seems to give the schools a 3-week window.

I just went through this with my DS school. Apparently, the school can handle the scheduling any way they want to as long as the testing is completed during the three week window. They told me that my DS could take the first part of the testing on a the day the test is scheduled (a Saturday) but the rest would have to be completed during lunch or after school. I told them that was a horrible option for my child and asked if he could complete it on another non-school day. They refused, so I decided to just have him do the extended time on one day instead of over multiple days. We will see how he does. There was no way my kid would be mentally prepared to take a high stakes test at lunch or after a long day at school. I was really disappointed by their lack of flexibility. Clearly, the interests of the my child took a back seat to their own preferences (i.e., giving up a weekend day even though I know they are compensated).

Thanks for this PP. Much appreciated. Forewarned is forearmed, or something.

Having a history of using accommodations in the classroom is very helpful in getting them for the ACT/SAT. I was told to make sure there is documentation that my children use them (one has ADHD and one a physical disability).

Anonymous wrote:Has anyone had to have their school administer the ACT individually to their child (rather than them taking it at a designated testing center) because of the type of accommodations required?

That's the situation we are in, and I'm trying to figure out how a test date is determined. The ACT seems to give the schools a 3-week window.

I just went through this with my DS school. Apparently, the school can handle the scheduling any way they want to as long as the testing is completed during the three week window. They told me that my DS could take the first part of the testing on a the day the test is scheduled (a Saturday) but the rest would have to be completed during lunch or after school. I told them that was a horrible option for my child and asked if he could complete it on another non-school day. They refused, so I decided to just have him do the extended time on one day instead of over multiple days. We will see how he does. There was no way my kid would be mentally prepared to take a high stakes test at lunch or after a long day at school. I was really disappointed by their lack of flexibility. Clearly, the interests of the my child took a back seat to their own preferences (i.e., giving up a weekend day even though I know they are compensated).

Has anyone had to have their school administer the ACT individually to their child (rather than them taking it at a designated testing center) because of the type of accommodations required?

That's the situation we are in, and I'm trying to figure out how a test date is determined. The ACT seems to give the schools a 3-week window.

My DS just got his ACT accommodations. He signed up for the ACT with extended time and the school sent his 504 plan which he has had since elementary school. They did not require any additional testing (and we haven't had any done since 5th grade). It's really tough to get testing accommodations without a history of using those accommodations in school. I always tell parents that they need to move past their kid's embarrassment of looking different in school and explain to the child why they should use the accommodations.

Anonymous wrote:What if the ADHD student is no longer in high school and is taking ACT/SAT in an attempt to begin college? There's really no school to contact.

SAT allows students to apply directly.

ACT would ask you to get information from your old high school.

For ACT and students with a diagnosis of ADHD:

In addition to documentation from the school that accommodations are used, they require:

The original diagnosis including age, and evidence of onset of the condition prior to age 12.

See page 5 of this document for m ore http://www.act.org/content/dam/act/unsecured/documents/6368%20ACT%20Policy%20for%20Documentation-Web.pdf

The College Board process is not identical.

Anonymous wrote:What if the ADHD student is no longer in high school and is taking ACT/SAT in an attempt to begin college? There's really no school to contact.

You call the College Board or ACT and ask how to proceed.

But you still need a history of diagnosis and use of accommodations.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our school did the legwork for us. But they needed the neuropsych testing, done in the last three years, and a least one teacher to sign a paper saying he was using his accommodations in school. Once the school submitted to the CB, we got an approval within a few days. Which is good for the next 3 years, since my kid is a sophomore.

Unfortunately, good public schools are probably better than privates on facilitating the process. They know what to do, and help you, because it is in their interest to have kids posting high PSAT! SAT and AP scores.

Does insurance cover a neuropsych test? What sort of doctor should we seek for that?

You can go to a psychologist or neuropsychologist. Whether it's covered depends on your insurance.

One thing, OP. You want this for ACT testing. But how old is your kid. If the ACT works like CB, then you need to test, set up a 504 meeting, get the 504, and then have your kid use the accommodations for a year before you apply, so the school can certify the were used. So if you have a senior, or even a junior, this is going to be tough.

Also, we had an easy time getting accommodations, because DC has had 504 that he has used since he started middle school. Honestly, if you are not getting the testing done or asking for accommodations until the end of HS, and you kid has decent grades without accommodations, this is going to be a big red flag for the CB or ACT. It looks like a kid who can keep up just fine without accommodations, and just wants them to test. And they try hard to weed these out.

Now, if you have a freshman or sophomore with poor grades in one or more class, and you start now, that is better. Although we were told we needed to lock accommodations in by the beginning of 10th, so he could use them for the 10th grade practice PSAT and sophomore APs.

Again, if you kid has already take PSAT practice tests and AP tests without accommodations, and the scores are decent, you are likely to be denied.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our school did the legwork for us. But they needed the neuropsych testing, done in the last three years, and a least one teacher to sign a paper saying he was using his accommodations in school. Once the school submitted to the CB, we got an approval within a few days. Which is good for the next 3 years, since my kid is a sophomore.

Unfortunately, good public schools are probably better than privates on facilitating the process. They know what to do, and help you, because it is in their interest to have kids posting high PSAT! SAT and AP scores.

Does insurance cover a neuropsych test? What sort of doctor should we seek for that?

In our case, it covered about 1/2. And we used an educational psychologist to test (it has to be a PhD). You can literally google educational psychologist. You can also go neuropsych route, but for ADHD, and some LDs, and educational psychologist is a good bet. We used Diana Dahlgren in Fairfax, and she is a mixed bag. Very competent, well respected,p and she writes a very thorough report that give you everything you need for an IEP or 504, plus testing accommodations. BUT! I have headed that she tends to see ADHD in every kid who walks through her door. She is not a warm, friendly person. And she takes forever to generate the reports. She also does a ton of AAP testing.

If you are also looking at autism or a similar condition, probably look at a neuropsych.

Thank you.

What if the ADHD student is no longer in high school and is taking ACT/SAT in an attempt to begin college? There's really no school to contact.

$2500 neurophysiology evaluation that is no longer than 3 years old.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You can do it on your own,or you can have the school do it, but it is really rare that a kid gets accommodations for ACT or CB without having an IEP or 504. You need a letter from the dr stating why he needs the accommodations. I was an SSD for a school and can tell you that they will deny you.

I know many parents with their seemingly normal kids on Adderall getting 50% extra time.

Really, where.

Normally they have horns growing from their head.