Question:

My son wants to take the SAT this year. He is a senior at a small school for students with learning disabilities. His disabilities are Attention Deficit Disorder and Dysgraphia. The school does not offer any SAT prep classes and I am concerned he would just not be able to handle the test or the time required to  focus while taking the test. I understand the accommodations that are available. We need for him to be familiar with the test and the time involved. The school is also unable to suggest anyone who can tutor him. It is a Non- Public School funded through our District, who also does not have any suggestions for test prep for their NPS students.

Where can we go for assistance to help him prepare for this test which he will take in a few months? We live in the Claremont, CA. area. He is an excellent reader and speller, limited math skills and very limited ability to use a pen (dysgraphia), great difficulty studying, doing homework is a nightmare F on report cards for work,  he takes the classroom tests and earns A's.  F in homework  A's on test equals C and D on report cards.

Any information you can share with us would be much appreciated.

Thank you,

Chris

Answer:

Dear Chris,

You mention that you are familiar with the possible accommodations for the SAT’s. For readers who may not be so up to date, SAT accommodations are grouped in four areas. Examples include:

Presentation

• Large print (14 pt; 20 pt)
• Fewer items on each page
• Reader
• Colored paper
• Use of a highlighter
• Sign/orally present instructions
• Visual magnification (magnifier or magnifying machine)
• Auditory amplification
• Audiocassette
• Colored overlays
• Braille
• Braille graphs
• Braille device for written responses
• Plastic covered pages of the test booklet

Responding

• Verbal; dictated to scribe
• Tape recorder
• Computer without spell check/grammar/cut & paste features
• Record answers in test booklet
• Large block answer sheet

Timing/Scheduling

• Frequent breaks
• Extended time
• Multiple day (may/may not include extra time)
• Specified time of day

Setting

• Small group setting
• Private room
• Screens to block out distractions
• Special lighting
• Special acoustics
• Adaptive/special furniture/tools
• Alternative test site (with proctor present)
• Preferential seating

Extensive information about eligibility for accommodations and the procedure to apply is available at the College Board website. In order for your student to qualify, he will need to show that he has received accommodations for testing in school. Since your student has dysgraphia, you may also be considering computer accommodations for the essay on the SAT Reasoning Test. Dysgraphia is one of the three impairments that are eligible for computer accommodations. The others are physical disabilities and severe learning disabilities. Poor handwriting does not automatically qualify a student for computer accommodations. Dysgraphia will only be considered when due to a documented fine motor impairment, so be sure that your son’s dysgraphia is well-documented. Refer to: http://www.collegeboard.com/ssd/student/index.html

The College Board website also contains resources for preparing for the test including a SAT calendar with daily sample questions, a study guide with sample questions, and an online course that students can take at their own pace.

Schools are not required to provide instruction on SAT test-taking strategies. Most parents, including those of typical students, hire professionals privately for instruction in taking the SAT. A popular resource is Kaplan Test Prep and Admissions. Kaplan offers both small group and one-to-one tutoring to teach test-taking strategies for the SAT. With individual attention, you and your son would be able to tailor instruction to his needs. Information about Kaplan Test Prep, including private tutoring and locations is available at: www.kaptest.com

If you decide to hire privately, consider a professional ADHD coach with experience in preparing high school students for the SAT. Just as the physician manages the biological aspects of ADHD, and the psychotherapist can help with social and emotional difficulties, the ADHD coach provides support with practical daily life problems.

The ADHD coach helps students with organizational and time management issues that may impact their performance on the SAT. College students who are away from home for the first time, often encounter difficulty in managing everyday life activities such as completing chores like laundry and keeping track of appointments and events. Most ADHD students rely on parents to structure these activities during high school. When that support is removed, some students experience difficulties. One advantage of using a coach now to help with SAT test-taking strategies is that your son may establish a relationship that could continue into college. The International Coach Federation (ICF) has a Coach Referral Service as well as information on finding the right coach and is found online at: www.coachfederation.org

The Educational Consultant is another type of professional often hired by families to help with college decisions. The Independent Educational Consultant Association (IECA) is a professional organization that provides consultants nationally. The Educational Consultant works with the family to teach the student self-advocacy skills that the student must use independently in college and is knowledgeable about schools and admissions processes. Educational Consultants can be contacted at: http://iecaonline.com/parents_learn.html

Additional Resources:

Bozak, S. Choosing an Educational Consultant. Attention! Magazine, October, 2001. 23-24.

Goldberg, R.L. The Transition to College for Students with LD and AD/HD: The Educational Consultant’s Role. IECA Insights, June-July 2004, 6-8.

Novash, P. Obtaining Extended Time on College Entrance Exams. Attention! Magazine. August, 2006, 36-39.

Quinn, P., Ratey, N. & Maitland, T. (2000) Coaching College Students with AD/HD. Silver Spring, MD: Advantage Books.

Young, J., & Giwerc, D. Just What is Coaching?. Attention! Magazine, December, 2003, 36-45.

For your son:

Mooney, J. (2000) Learning Outside the Lines: Two Ivy League Students with Learning Disabilities and ADHD Give You the Tools. New York: Simon and Schuster.