pittpride

ADHD diagnosis at age 7, also fine motor difficulties.
100% extra time.

Scores without extra time
M690/CR670/W510
with extra time
M740/CR710/W600

Also has extra time for school testing, but is not using it.

musicsweetie

I think having extended time is really important--
30-->34.

swans004

Extended time can absolutely make a huge difference for ADHD students, usually for the better, occasionally for the worse (especially for students taking the SAT). I'm an online test prep tutor specializing in ADHD students, and I often do some diagnostic testing with students with both regular and extended time to see how things fall out. Usually, extended time wins! Not a surprise, right? In many cases, the ACT's accommodations policies are more ADHD friendly, so unless a student has a strong preference for the SAT, I encourage them to consider the ACT.

It's not unusual for students to not want to use accommodations even when they qualify. While I understand they don't want the stigma, or feel that it's "unfair" to their friends, there are real advantages to using accommodations in most cases. The tests are a big deal with possibly life long repercussions, so if you qualify, use them and don't look back!

Midwestmom2013

I am interested in requesting extra time accommodation for my daughter who has ADHD. Her initial diagnosis was made in October 2007 in the 7th grade, and she has been on a 504 since September 2009, 9th grade. She is now in the 11th grade. Do I have to get her re-tested before I submit a request for accommodation? From the ACT site:

"For the ACT, the disability must have been diagnosed or reconfirmed by a qualified professional within the 3 academic years prior to the date of the request."

Just want to be sure I am understanding everything correctly.

Thanks!

swans004

A current 504 MAY be sufficient. Talk to her school counselor that handles accommodations for more information. If she's requesting just the standard extended time, a 504 may do the job. It's a good idea to submit the accommodations request to the ACT as soon as possible so if she's turned down, there's still plenty of time to gather additional documentation.

The primary reason I say MAY is it may depend on how well the 504 plan corresponds with the accommodations she's requesting. I've done a lot of testing for students seeking accommodations (and I'm a test prep tutor specializing in ADHD), and it can be very helpful to have a current report from an educational psychologist or neuropsychologist that specifically addresses the reasons for the accommodations she's requesting. Something else to consider is that if she's going to request accommodations in college, the colleges may require more current testing, too. If she's got some choices in mind already, check with their student disabilities offices to check their requirements.

Good luck to your daughter! The ACT is almost always the better choice for ADHD students so she's already on the right track

Midwestmom2013

Thanks, swans004. Her 504 does includes extended time testing for math if needed and requested. D's counselor proctored her for the PSAT and ACT PLAN and noted that she did not think that D needed extra time because she seemed to finish the math sections early. But, I have seen her study for the ACT and she just doesn't attempt some of the problems because she doesn't think she can get them finished. She will have new testing this summer since hers is becoming outdated, but she is planning to take the ACT again before that(June). I will talk to D's counselor next week.

Thanks for the tip about the ACT vs. SAT. D is signed up for the SAT next weekend, but is doing very poorly on the math practice. I am not so sure that she should even take it, and instead just focus on the ACT.

How would one go about finding a tutor for ACT math that focuses on ADHD?

swans004

@midwestmom

The official ACT's standard extended time accommodations aren't section specific, so if she is given standard extended time, it will apply to the entire test. If she has ADHD, she will likely qualify for the standard extended time accommodations if she has appropriate documentation. If her 504 includes only extended time on math however, the ACT folks may approve her for only "special accommodations" that apply only to the math section. Again, talk this over with her counselor about how to proceed.

If she's already paid and ready to take the SAT next weekend, it certainly does't hurt. Some students really prefer the SAT's format, and for me, format preference trumps accommodations most of the time. However, personal experience is that most ADHD kids are going to have a better time with the ACT.

There's a few ways to look into tutors. I work online, and specialize in ADHD kids, so I'm happy to work with her! In general, kids like the online format (and were certainly more comfortable with it from the outset than I was!). Feel free to send me a message with your email address if you'd like to chat about possibly scheduling a pre-tutoring "get to know you" session.

But, if you think she'll really do best with someone in the same room, there's a few things you can try. Give local pros that work with ADHD a call to see if they know any specialists. Counselors at schools that work only with special needs students can be a great resource as well.

Hope all that helps. Good luck!

Longhaul

DS denied extended time on SAT; granted extended time (50%) on ACT. He has ADD and dysgraphia.

SAT 760 M; 720 CR; 620 W (67m/6essay); 1480/2100

ACT 32 M; 33 Reading; 35 Science; 35 English; 35/12 Writing; 34 composite

M/CR is about equilv. to ACT, but the extended time was a HUGE help on the essay.

DS was the only one in the extended time room and he was permitted to end a section early and not use the full extended time. Essay was the only place he used full time.

He does use extended time in the classroom. Most of his tests are essay tests.

edit to add - his most recent diagnostic testing was summer 2011. The testing was sent to both SAT and ACT when requesting the extended time. College Board specifically denied based upon PSAT scores. Frustrating to me since PSAT doesn't have an essay and that is his most difficult area to complete within the timing.

hilster4

BOONDOCKS what was ur diagnosis for the extended time that u recieved?

MarioKartExpert

High-functioning autistic here. Math is my strong suit, but I have issues with reading comprehension and inference. I never took the SAT without 50% extended time(and only once), but I once took the PSAT/NMSQT without extended time my sophomore year. Then I took it my junior year, this time with extended time. Results:

Soph. PSAT: 44 Reading, 50 Writing, 60 Math, 154 total (no extended time)
Jun. PSAT: 53 Reading, 62 Writing, 70 Math, 185 total (with extended time)
Jun. SAT: 560 Reading, 600 Writing, 740 Math, 1900 total (with extended time)

LD kids, don't refuse whatever accommodations you're granted, especially if your collegiate future may depend on it.

Boondocks

Hilster - My son was diagnosed with ADHD- inattentive type when he was in first or second grade.

His psychological testing indicated a slow processing speed and a short term and working memory shortfalls. He tested at the superior level in visual/spatial processing and in verbal processing (these are rough titles - I'd have to look at the testing to get the actual recults).

After two years, he was finally approved for extended time by the SAT. They demanded that we present testing that showed his speed on time and untimed tests. We had him retested by the school psychologist, and he was approved after the new round included the additional speed (fluency) tests.

My recommendation to everyone is that you review the SAT and ACT guidelines with a school or external psychologist, and then get testing if your child doesn't have the appropriate testing. You may get approval anyway, but we went through more appeals and had more time wasted in the process becasue we didn't have the exact testing that the SAT specified. Spend the money if you have to. The difference between good and bad SAT's can make huge differences in financial aid or scholarships. Whether we agree about the validity of the test, and whether the colleges admit it or not, the SAT or ACT is still a key element in admissions, financial aid and scholarships.

swattiechick

First time (no accommodations) CR - 670 M - 720 W - 670 (8E) Total: 2060
Second time (50% extended time) CR - 720 M - 690 W - 750 (11E) Total: 2160

Diagnosis of Visual Working Memory Disorder.

swans004

Couldn't agree with you more Boondocks. It can be a long process, and an expensive one, although I think for most it's worth it in the end. It's also good to have current testing on hand for students planning to seek accommodations when they get to college, so repeating testing in later years of high school is good for that as well.

PVmusicmom

hmm, interesting thread.

hsgurl94

act score of 18 to 24. 50 % extended time for ld's