I know there must be some avenue for accomodations for Type 1 kids taking their SATs. Perhaps juice bottle, testing kit, food ? Not sure how to go about this. A part of me thinks my son may not need this, but sitting for such a long time, and concentrating without testing his blood sugar or having the ability to eat if he is low are concerns that I have. Does anyone have experience with this. I would appreciate any web sites or assistance. Thanks, Nancy
I did not take the SAT, but I did take the ACT. I took it back in 2003, but if I remember correctly I called their 1-800 number after I sent in registration papers and I let them know the situation. They told me to bring my things in a labeled (with my name) ziploc bag and a dr’s note. I put my testing kit, a vial of insulin and a syringe, and some glucose tablets in a gallon Ziploc bag and got a note from my dr. The people outside the door at my testing site held on to my things. I was told I couldn’t test in the room or eat in the room, as it could be a distraction to others, but that if I needed my things to raise my hand and the people in the room would let me leave to take care of it. It wasn’t a big deal. I ended up feeling fine and not even leaving to test and my BG was fine after the test, but it was nice to know my stuff was a few steps away if I needed it.
I would get up in their grill if they griped about it being a distraction to others. I suspect that would be forbidden under the ADA and is not a “reasonable accomodation” in my opinion. People in the real world don’t seem too bothered by testing, etc. under interesting conditions. The main places I go these days are courtrooms, mediations, etc. and I presume that the people running those shindigs who are either sitting judges or retired judges, are more familiar with the law than the people running the SAT/ ACT who like to think that they are above it? If I bust out my cell phone, I’m sure the baliff would kick me out but a meter seems to be pretty much “hands off”, or at least on the cases I’ve attended?
Then again, my 12 year old is pretty much mortified by any suggestion that we talk to anyone at the school about any problems (e.g. “I hate PE” “do you want me to talk to the teacher?” “OMG no!”) and making waves right before a test may not be the best idea. I recall how super important the tests were back in the mid-1980s when I took them but I have mentioned them exactly <<zero>> times since then!!
I was super stubborn when I went to go take my SATs (3 times...ugh!) and also when I took my various AP exams so I never filed a thing for accommodations because I felt like I would be fine and didn't want the extra attention on my diabetes. I also didn't like the fact that I would be seen as disabled in some way.
Anyways, I wasn't even on the pump at that point, so it was really a total guessing game as to how my blood sugars would behave that morning. You do get breaks every hour or so, which I used to take my purse into the bathroom and check my blood sugars (they were always a bit elevated, those exams are stressful!!!), correct if necessary, and had a small snack about halfway through. Now that I am considering taking the GREs, I don't know if I could do it without an accommodation because I am so much more affected by high blood sugars than I used to be and I get anxious if I am somewhere where I can't test myself as I wish.
I would recommend looking into the accommodations section on the CollegeBoard website (which does the SATs, SAT Subject, and AP exams) here, here, and here especially. I have heard that the proctor of the exam or someone else at the place where the test is being administered will keep the diabetic's supplies and the diabetic will have to contact them if they feel they need something or other. However, checking blood sugar, administering insulin, or having a snack is not allowed in the room as it is seen as a distraction. You might also be able to request for extra time for your son to take the exam in case he has a low or a high and is compromised for that period of time.
Good luck to you and your son! I survived all 3 of my SAT exams and all 5 of my AP exams without any lows or generally any issues except for running a bit high from the stress of all of it!
There are accomodations. The thing is that you need to make sure that the doctor writes a note and you send it off to the SAT testing company and they can make those adjustments. But, he should be able to bring a snack or things. No biggie. Just get the doc’s note. Good luck!