Additional time and small group setting away from distractions are not that hard to get, but a computer for written work is "rarely given " as I was told. They are exceptionally picky on this one. I do not know how your son's dysgraphia has been addressed educationally and the history of it, but you should send them all information you have to support your case. Follow the directions carefully, providing a case with copies of all testing evaluations (probably don't need the credentials of the school district evaluators), IEPs, 504s and any other record referencing or indicating the problem and accommodations recieved. This will show that it has been an ongoing problem.
See Diagnosis and Functional Limitations at the following site.
www.collegeboard.com/ssd/student/limitations.html Be sure you hit each point that they recommend. The letter from the doctor should state the diagnosis, include medical history of the specific disabilities, and how it impacts him
functionally.
Proving Dysgraphia:
College Board states:
"Therefore, for dysgraphia (fine motor), eligibility to receive a computer accommodation on College Board tests will be based on a review of:
1. An evaluation exam and report which demonstrates that the student has fine motor problems. Some of the common tests that are acceptable by the professional community to document fine motor skills problems are the Coding subtest of the Wechsler Cognitive Test or the Beery Buktenica Developmental Test of Visual Motor Integration (VMI) or Rey Complex Figure Test. Professionals such as occupational therapists, psychologists, learning specialists, MDs can document such conditions.
2. An academic testing in writing that substantiates that the student's fine motor problems present severity in organization, presentation of ideas, richness of language, complex language structure. (Severity in writing does not include measurement of the mechanics of language - e.g., spelling, grammar.) Tests such as written expression subtest of the WIAT II, Broad Writing cluster of Woodthingy Johnson III, TOWL III or OWLS are commonly used. These writing tests would tap specific writing skills such as organization, composition, structure, syntax, vocabulary. It always is helpful to include a timed measure such as WJ III writing fluency especially if timed testing condition is an issue. These tests are usually administered by school or clinical psychologists or educational diagnosticians."
www.collegeboard.com/ssd/student/guidelines.htmlRe #1 The first time I sent in a request, it was turned down so we needed to get some more tests done.
Re #2 Altho he has LD in language because of the wide discrepancy between his concepts and what he can physically produce, the language scores were not low enough in themselves. I think his were at the bottom end of normal.
Link to Instructions which you probably have a paper copy of:
www.collegeboard.com/prod_downloads/ssd/instructions-06-07-student-eligibility-form.pdfIt is almost impossible to talk to anyone at collegeboard, and they usually just say "everything you need to know is on the website". But I finally got a live person's phone number. While they do not offer information unless asked, she did answer my open ended question of "What do you think I should do to demonstrate this need in our situation?" Because my son didn't have formal accommodations until high school, she suggested that I get a letter from each of the principals at his previous schools stating informal accommodations recieved; samples of his writing and something else I cant remember.
It is surprising, though, that they do not ask for writing samples in cases of dysgraphia. I sent in selected copies of his handwriting from each year in high school.
You said that "The school just put on the form that the school psyc did the evail, but I don't think there was any mention of her qualifications." You probably don't need a statement for a school district. For the doctor and private evaluator we got a statement of credentials from the evaluator and did a credential search online for the doctor.
The appeal I sent in was 53 pages and did not include documents from the first request. The appeal included:
-a cover letter stating intent signed by parent and student
-a list of the titles of included documentation with facility location and individual named, each titled by "Exhibit A etc
-Psychoeducational Eval Reports
-A Statement of Historical Information Regarding Onset and Progress of the Condition and Classroom Accommodations (I wrote this in narrative style organized by school and grade level/year with references to exhibits)
-Introduction discussing his finemotor skills
-A discussion of his expressive language from early childhood
-Conclusion
- Exhibits- letters from principals, teacher evaluation forms, progress reports rating scales, state testing (showing how his writing was incomplete not meeting standard)
-handwriting samples
When he got the accommodation, he recieved a very nice personalized letter wishing him good luck in his academic career and future from the woman who gave me the suggestions.
Hope this helps. Let me know if I can help in any way!
