ACT and Dyslexia PART 2

Parents Forum Learning Differences and Challenges - LD, ADHD
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<p><em>Moved</em></p>

<p>ACT and Dyslexia PART 2
I decided to post here after seeing this thread: ACT and dyslexia</p>

<p>I have also been dealing with Dyslexia rather severely my whole life. Besides dyslexia, I have been diagnosed with ADD. Like the author of the above thread I have never asked for any sort of accommodations. I am near the top of my class, and feel accomplished for working through my difficulties. But the ACT is a whole different story, a enormous amount anyone's future rides on that little score. I have no problem with comprehension and I memorize every thing I learn, but this disability slows me immensely when taking tests. So naturally I have considered applying for the extended time limit on the ACT. The problem I am facing here is that I have only recently been diagnosed with ADD, I have never officially been diagnosed with dyslexia, and have no past records with my school. So this situation leaves me not very qualified in terms of documentation for the extended time.</p>

<p>So my question here is: If I go and get the most professional tests taken to get officially and recently diagnosed with ADD and Dyslexia, what else can I do to improve my chances of being excepted by ACT for the extended time? Is there something documentation wise I can do now with my school? Is there something I can do now involving the "Section 504" :
HHS - YOUR RIGHTS UNDER SECTION 504 OF THE REHABILITATION ACT .</p>

<p>Quote from ACT.org over the extend time: "If first diagnosed within last 3 years, complete diagnostic documentation required. Copy of test accommodations pages from most current IEP, or copy of most current Section 504 Plan or official accommodations plan. If plan has been in place less than 3 years, complete diagnostic documentation required."</p>

<p>What are your thoughts on this? Thank you so much!</p>

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<p>If you have been dealing with dyslexia forever, why on earth do you not have an IEP? Where have your teachers and parents been for the past umpteen years? You are perfectly within your rights to request a formal meeting with your school's special ed team and get an IEP and/or 504 plan drawn up.</p>

<p>Do it tomorrow. Be a pest if you have to, but do get this done.</p>

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<p>We worked with our school psychologist on gettng ACT accomodations. She used the info she had from my d's IEP, but maybe your school's psychologist could use your ADD diagnosis to do something. ADD,alone, is justification for extended time, but the fact that your school hasn't been giving you extended time on tests so far, may work against your request. Have the psychologist make the same request of SAT.</p>

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<p>I agree with happymom. Get yourself tested and get an IEP or 504 ASAP. Let the school know that you are not asking for resources except accommodations and in particular extra time (unless the testing psychologists recommend other needs). School districts that are pressed for money often put up a fight if you are asking for resources. That fight will delay things and time is not on your side. </p>

<p>The ACT and College Board folks are rightly skeptical about lots of HS kids whose parents discover processing speed or other problems just in advance of the ACT/SATs. They often reject the first pass or give less than is requested. This also delays things. My sense is that the extra time really matters for some kids with LDs (it does for my son), especially the ACT. As a consequence of the ACT/College Board approach, kids with legitimate LDs can be denied appropriate accommodations on the standardized tests.</p>