ADHD Children and Exam Taking - Exam Taking and ADHD Children

Written by Sarah-Jayne Bass

Below is a list by Bonnie Mincuof possible accommodations which may be worth asking about. Bonnie is a business and personal coach, specializing in AD/HD. She is located in NYC. You can hire Bonnie by visiting Coach Network at Coaches and searching under "New York".

• Untimed testing
• Extended time testing (x 1 ½, x2, etc.) or lab work time (proctored/unproctored?)
• Coaching
• Tutors
• Composition assistance-e.g., special meetings w/ instructor, evaluation of rough drafts, editor review before submission.
• Note-taking assistance-equipment such as laptop computer or tape recorder (including recorder positioning at podium/teacher's desk).
• Note-taking assistance-scribes (note-takers): from paid professionals with specialized training/experience to paid students to volunteers to the copying of notes of peer classmates (privilege to have this done anonymously).
• Books-on-Tape (requires early booklist provision)
• Flexible scheduling of tests--time extension, optimum score of successive (repeated) administrations, subdividing exams into parts of days or over multiple days
• Flexible setting of tests--individual administration, small-group administration, adaptive or special equipment at the regular testing session, or at a separate location, auditory tape presentation of test items; use of aides to interpret test items; distraction-free environment; white-noise generator or Walkman with music via earphones or out loud if in a separate test area, earplugs
• Flexible test format-large print editions, changes in presentation in terms, changes in wording or format (e.g., line or item spacing, or emphasis [key words]) of directions, changes in format or space for answers, oral presentation of test, oral responses, oral presentation & responses ("oral exam"), taped responses, printed responses, masks to cover test portions
• Flexible rating format-e.g., optional special projects for credit with reduced emphasis on exams
• Markers/highlighters (in texts, in tests)
• FM radio transmission, teacher to hearing aid
• Magnification devices
• Calculator usage
• Electronic speller usage
• Access to computers in classroom
• Access to computers outside of classroom hours
• Allowing printing when standard specification is cursive
• Waiving of foreign language requirements
• Preferential instructor selection (for style)
• Early or preferential registration (for selection of times or instructors or class size)
• Reduced class size
• Reduced course load
• Single dorm room
• Counseling/advisement with mentor/adviser knowledgeable in ADHD
• Vocational Guidance
• Preferential seating (front of room; away from door or distractions; separate desk)
• Permission to stand/move in back of room during class or test; to take tests standing, on floor, or on desks
• Permission to leave class for brief periods without permissions per each.

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