Alternatives to tests in college STEM classes for ADHD students

[Lingerly]

My son just transferred to an R1 university for a STEM major. He has accommodations for ADHD, LD, Social & Generalized Anxiety. He has fairly good study habits, all things considered, but does not test well even with extended time. I lurked on "Rate My Professor" to see what students had to say about the professors for his courses--and saw that one of the professors in his major uses high stake tests--a few big exams that count for most of the grade, and is not very responsive to students. Ugh. Any suggestions for how he can self-advocate? Perhaps suggestions for alternatives to test taking?

[Onthemove1971]

What about making sure he doesn't have that professor? Can he look to see when he is teaching and pick another time?Usually people who base their teaching on tests are not willing to give an alternative.. if you know what I mean. There are easy ways to do things and there are hard ways..

I am not sure if her started college with an alternative testing option already in his educational plan.

Have you guys also talked to a counselor at the college about how to approach this issue, while why can tell you who to not take, they may be able to recommend who "works" best for students.

Good luck..

[RaquelMonique]

Hi Lingerly,

I try to avoid registering in classes with professors with low scores on Rate my Professors. But if no other option, one of the accommodations I receive for my LD (working memory) is using Prof. approved note cards during tests. My college is specific about what can be on the notecards. They cannot make sense to other students (for example, I draw pictures of things that I can use to jog my memory). Hope that is an option.

-Raquel

[Lingerly in reply to RaquelMonique]

What a great idea! I will mention this to my son when he meets with his SSD counselor.