Getting extra time for tests

[BrieAndChilli]

Just had parents evening and DS 1 teacher says we need to look into the possibility of getting him extra time in his external/national tests.

Basic back story
Ds1 was under consultant care for numerous problems one of which was his ASD tendencies. It was decided last year that there wasn't a need to formally diagnoses him as although he will always have aspergers traits they don't impact his life severely enough to warrant further intervention at that point, although she did acknowledge that we would probably see a big blip aroun the transition to secondary school that may warrant re-referral.
He had occupational therapy for his poor fine motor skills and uses a slope and special pencil grip.
He is on a School action plus plan an uses the computer for long literacy work.

His teacher thinks he has a longer than usual processing time (for instance they do learn-it's which require them to answer instantly and as many as they can in a certain timeframe. Although his maths is exceptional he performs poorly in these tests because he just can't answer quickly enough)
He also never completes tests in the time allowed and although he still gets very good results even with only answering half the questions)
For example the teacher says in the CAT gets they did in October he only finished half of tests and that his end of year 6 predicted levels are 5b so if he actually finished the tests his results would be even higher.
His school work and knowledge is exceptional but she doesn't feel this translates into his test results and even though his results are good enough they don't do him justice

So basically I am just wondering what the process is for getting him more time for tests, do we need to go back to consultant an push for an official diagnosis and go from there or is it something the school can sign off on? His teacher is going to speak to the school Senco and see what they can do from their end. Are they tests he can do for both slow handwriting and slow processing speed?

[LIZS]

Longer term he needs to have his processing speeds tested, at least one of those must be scored below 84, by an Ed Psych or some SENCOs/ tutors may also have the relevant qualification to do so. He needs to have regularly used extra time in formal tests and assessments so that reaching staff can substantiate the need. Not sure how it works for SATS though as the above relate to the JCQ regulations for GCSEs etc which may differ.

[plimsolls]

Just a quick reply. Lots of tests can be done within school, sometimes by the SENCO and other times they might get their ED Psych or a Specialist Teacher in to do it.

There's a whole range of tests they can use for handwriting and/or processing speed. There's a few types of processing speed they could test: visual, phonological and also reading speed.

It sounds like the school is pretty on the ball so this probably won't be an issue but make sure the test they use actually corresponds to the issue they think your child has. (I have seen schools administer e.g. A comprehension test when child's issue is actually visual processing. Happens because exam boards have a list of tests that you can use for Exam Dispensations and schools who aren't on the ball can sometimes just select anything from the list, rather than the best one for the child's needs).

If your child has a statement/ Ed and Health Care Plan, they can get automatic exam dispensation (e.g. Extra Time).

By the way- school has to show that child is eligible through their test result AND evidence that it is normal way of working (e.g. They regularly get given more time to complete work in class).

Hope that helps.

[plimsolls]

X-post with LIZS.

[BrieAndChilli]

They currently do allow him to have extra time on tests where they can such as the Alfie test they did last year. And do allow him to finish things in lunch time etc, so they had established a precedent for allowing him extra time.

Would the school be able to get the Ed psych in to assess him?

[yearofthehorse]

We came back from Parent's Evening yesterday. DS is in Year 6, definitely ASD but not formally diagnosed. We were told that he will be getting extra time and be taking the exams in a smaller room with a teacher present. The teacher will be allowed to jog him into action if he's gazing out of the window and he will be allowed to ask for help in explaining a question. I'm thrilled. He's bright enough but just needs a little bit more time than the average kid. I hope the school can arrange the same for your son OP.

[mrz]

m.youtube.com/watch?list=PL6gGtLyXoeq9eWA31dGs2RmsAM8jDhDXs&v=CT2p21kaTFU applying fir additional time