ADHD and Extra Time for Testing
“I have a letter from my college’s disabilities office asking that I be given extra time for tests, but I’ve always had trouble talking to teachers. How should I bring it up with them?”
Set up an appointment with each professor during office hours (you may not have privacy after class), and bring along your letter. Start by letting the professor know that you want to do well in his or her class. Explain that extended time for tests has been approved for you as an accommodation, and that this accommodation will help you accomplish this goal.
Not all educators are sympathetic to their students’ special needs. But since your accommodation has been approved by the disabilities office, the teacher is obliged to honor it. If your professor fails to provide extra time on tests, report him or her to the disabilities office.
I recently completed my master’s degree, and, lo and behold, I had to take my own advice and ask for extra time to complete my thesis. I was nervous about it, but, in the end, it was no big deal.
Related Resources
- 504 Plan Gone Awry: What Parents Can Do
- Learning Disabilities Overview: Reading, Writing & Math Disorders
- 20 Classroom Accommodations That Target Common ADHD Challenges
- What Is an IEP? Everything You Need to Know About IDEA, IEPs, and 504 Plans
- “504 Plan vs. IEP: What’s the Gateway to College Accommodations?”
