Should children with ADD get extra time on test.

foxysalamander
Tue, 26 Jul 2005 16:07:14 +0000

Some people with disabilities will need accommodations (e.g. extra time) and some will not. It depends on the severity of the disability, or possibly the side effects of medications.

Other disabilities that can get extra time include depression, psychotic disorders, bipolar disorder, OCD, anxiety disorders.

What is sad is that the more affluent families will shop for a doctor or psychologist to assess them and diagnose them with a disability and write them a report that warrants the extra time on test.

Keep in mind that in college, students can get accommodations for ADD, learning disabilities, and psychiatric disabilities. These students are required to register with and provide documentation of the disability to the Disabled Students Program at their college. Extra time on tests in a separate room with a proctor is common (generally time and a half but sometimes up to double time). Also, the student can get, free of charge, notetakers or have a fellow student provide a copy of class notes.

The idea is to compensate for the effects of the disability itself and/or the side effects from the medication (difficulty concentrating, fluctuations in stamina, fatigue, drowsiness, difficulty thinking).

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, a “disability” is defined as a “physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activity.” “Substantially limits” means that there is a significant impairment when compared with the general population. Major life activities include: caring for oneself, sleeping, learning, working, hearing, standing, breathing.