In my work as an SAT and ACT tutor specializing in students with ADD/ADHD, intimate knowledge of test accommodations is a must.    Most students have already received a good diagnosis and are already getting accommodations in school by the time they start working with me.  A school plan is a great place to start thinking about which accommodations are right for the SAT or ACT, but the accommodations that are right for the school day aren’t necessarily right for test day.  That’s where an expert can help!

The first step is to determine which test you want to take.  Since most colleges now accept either one, it’s in a student’s best interests to give both a try.  You can download a free, full-length practice test from CollegeBoard.com or ACTStudent.org.  Block out several hours to take the practice test in as close to real test conditions as possible.  Most students prefer the feel of one over the other.   If a student doesn’t have a clear favorite, consider the types of accommodations available on the two tests.  Each has pros and cons.  If needed, contact a test accommodations professional, or make an appointment with your school counselor to discuss the possibilities.

Once you’ve made a choice, visit that test’s website to find the details for applying for testing accommodations.  For both tests, your school counselor will most likely complete the request with you.  Be sure you have current diagnostic test results from an educational psychologist or neuropsychologist.   For the SAT, testing must have been completed within the last five years.  For the ACT, the acceptable time frame is only the last three years.

In general, I tell students that the more recent the testing the better.  It’s a stronger support for your request since it clearly outlines how you’re functioning now (vs. how you were doing as an 8^th grader!).  Also, the report written for an evaluation conducted for the purpose of requesting accommodations can specifically address the types of accommodations you’re seeking.  Finally, a recent evaluation may apply for accommodations you may request from the college you attend.

Once you have your diagnostic results, you can plan a strategy for applying for accommodations.   It’s a good idea to take another practice test at this point, strictly adhering to the accommodations you’re considering requesting.  Extended time is the most requested accommodation, but students sometimes find it surprising that having extra time doesn’t always have a positive impact on their scores!  Again, a test accommodations pro can help you strategize.

Finally, submit your application.  I can’t stress strongly enough that you should start this process early, at least three months prior to test day, but preferably closer to six months.  It may take a month or more just to get an appointment with an educational psychologist.

Jenn Cohen is owner of Jenn Cohen Tutoring and President and Chief Word Nerd of Word-Nerd.com, an SAT vocabulary website.  She specializes in tutoring ADHD students for the SAT, PSAT and ACT.  You can find her on Twitter @satprepforadhd.

The second year of the Shire ADHD Scholarship Program will award fifty (50) scholarships to individuals with ADHD

Philadelphia, PA, US – October 20, 2011 – Shire, a global specialty biopharmaceutical company, has expanded its ADHD Scholarship Program. The program is for individuals in the United States diagnosed with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) who are pursuing higher education at a college, vocational school or technical school.  Fifty winners will be selected in 2012, twice as many as in the first year.
The Shire ADHD Scholarship includes a $2,000 monetary award and offers a prepaid year of ADHD coaching services provided by the HEdge FoundationH to assist with the transition to higher education.  Fifty one-time scholarships will be awarded on June 12, 2012.  The deadline to apply is March 30, 2012.  For information, including eligibility requirements and scholarship application, visit www.ShireADHDScholarship.com.
“The response to the Shire ADHD Scholarship Program in 2011 was tremendous, with hundreds of applications from inspiring students across the nation,” said Michael Yasick, Senior Vice President of Shire’s ADHD business. “There are thousands of high school seniors, college students, and adults going on to higher education who suffer from ADHD.  We want to recognize the brave individuals who work hard to overcome the challenges of this life-altering condition, and help them continue their educational pursuits.”

Award recipients will be offered ADHD coaching from the Edge Foundation, which includes weekly sessions with specially trained ADHD coaches.  The students set weekly goals and action plans to meet those goals and have e-mail and phone support from their coaches to help keep them on track.  This support may be important for students transitioning to the higher education environment because they have more free time and less adult supervision.

The Edge Foundation is a Seattle-based nonprofit organization that offers support for students with ADHD.  The Edge Foundation’s primary mission is to provide access to qualified, professional coaches for students with ADHD as part of their multi-modal treatment program.  For more information on the Edge Foundation, please visit the company’s website:  www.edgefoundation.org.

Shire’s ADHD Scholarship Program is part of Shire’s patient centric approach that offers support to patients, parents, advocates and others while providing care for people diagnosed with ADHD.
For further information please contact:

Media
Matthew Cabrey (mcabrey@shire.com)
Shire Pharmaceuticals

1-484-595-8248

Bev Volpe (bvolpe@simonpr.com)
Simon Public Relations Group
1-215-545-4715  Ext 24

Notes to editors

SHIRE PLC

Shire’s strategic goal is to become the leading specialty biopharmaceutical company that focuses on meeting the needs of the specialist physician.  Shire focuses its business on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, human genetic therapies, gastrointestinal diseases, and regenerative medicine as well as opportunities in other therapeutic areas to the extent they arise through acquisitions.  Shire’s in-licensing, merger, and acquisition efforts are focused on products in specialist markets with strong intellectual property protection and global rights.  Shire believes that a carefully selected and balanced portfolio of products with strategically aligned and relatively small-scale sales forces will deliver strong results.  For further information on Shire, please visit the Company’s website: www.shire.com.

“SAFE HARBOR” STATEMENT UNDER THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995

Statements included herein that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties and are subject to change at any time. In the event such risks or uncertainties materialize, the Company’s results could be materially adversely affected. The risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, risks associated with: the inherent uncertainty of research, development, approval, reimbursement, manufacturing, and commercialization of the Company’s Specialty Pharmaceutical and Human Genetic Therapies products, as well as the ability to secure and integrate new products for commercialization and/or development; government regulation of the Company’s products; the Company’s ability to manufacture its products in sufficient quantities to meet demand; the impact of competitive therapies on the Company’s products; the Company’s ability to register, maintain, and enforce patents and other intellectual property rights relating to its products; the Company’s ability to obtain and maintain government and other third-party reimbursement for its products; and other risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

© 2011 Shire US Inc., Wayne, PA 19087

I would love feedback from teachers, school social workers, school psychologists, and parents.  What additional strategies do you like to use?

I think this presents an interesting challenge for all of us, especially those interested in helping students with ADHD.  What would you change in the education system to help us better prepare for the workplace and economy of the future?

I am excited to let you know about an individualized ADD / ADHD student coaching program I am offering this summer.  Traditionally, many students take a break from coaching over the summer, and then find themselves struggling to get started in a positive way when school begins again in the fall.

Coaching can be an effective support to help students achieve their goals.

This summer, your student can select from ten different coaching modules that are personally interesting to them.  We will make a schedule to cover as few or as many modules as they want.  I am structuring the modules so that your child can develop lifelong skills that he or she will need to succeed in school and beyond.

The following options are included:

• Goal Setting
• Learning about ADHD
• Organizing at School
• Time Management
• Creating Routines
• Using Calendars
• Planning for Non-school Projects
• Activity:  Exercise and Movement
• Study Strategies
• Transitions

By participating in coaching throughout the summer, your student can increase their success in the coming school year and achieve goals that are not necessarily related to school.

If you are interested in registering your your student for coaching this summer, please let me know as soon as possible.  I am offering some discounts for prepayment and would be happy to discuss the details with you personally.

Sincerely yours,

Laura Rolands

How do you focus on your studies?

Not a student?  Spend some time today learning a new subject!

If you or your child are in need of a math tutor, please consider contacting Jennifer Taylor.  Jennifer Taylor has been teaching mathematics at the honors and remedial level for 25 years in the Troy School District.  She lives in Troy and thrives on helping her students reach their highest potential in mathematics.  Students of all calibers have found success working one on one with Mrs. Taylor.  Mrs. Taylor has flexible evening hours and can work with students either at a local public library or their own home for tutoring.  Jennifer Taylor takes pride in helping her students build the confidence they need to feel successful in math and to learn to enjoy it at the same time!  Math really can be fun, and the proper coaching can make all the difference.

Call Jennifer Taylor to schedule regular weekly sessions to help bring your child up to par in class, or to challenge them to extend their mathematical, critical and logical thinking.  Temporary coaching for Mid Term Assessments and spring ACT testing is also available.  If now is not the right time, summer math review sessions are also a great idea!  Keep me in mind for your future needs.  Times fill up quickly, so call today!  586-994-5071. Sessions run $50-$60 depending on travel location and range from 60-90 minutes.  Group sessions are also available if a study group would like some coaching for exams!!  Cost per student per session is lowered based on the number of students in the session.  Maximum of 5 students per group session.

Contact Information: 586-994-5071, email:  kjt802@comcast.net
Location:      Troy Public Library or as arranged
Subjects:      Algebra 1 & 2, Geometry, ACT Preparation

This interactive class will explore the ways in which you can help your child to prevail over their challenges related to attention deficit disorders. You will learn coaching strategies to help your child right away and develop an action plan to address one of your specific goals.  Cost is $25 payable through the Birmingham Community House.

Register here to attend Turmoil to Tranquility:  Helping Students with ADHD Achieve More

The Organized Student: Teaching Children the Skills for Success in School and Beyond by Donna Goldberg is an excellent resource for students in middle school and high school.  It is useful for their parents as well.   Goldberg is an organizational consultant and founder of a company called Organized Student.  The book has excellent tips and the Goldberg does a great job of breaking down the organization process for parents and children.  Read the chapters that are most interesting, but don’t feel like you need to read the book in one witting.  Goldberg gives excellent advice for organizing a student’s locker, her back pack, school and home paperwork and homework areas.  She also discusses time management, planners, end-of-the-year wrap up and the teenager’s bedroom.

My favorite tips are listed below:

• When talking to children about working on organization tools focus on one area at a time and use the tools that are easier for the child to start.
• Give the systems time to work – Goldberg reminds the reader that habits take 21 days to form.
• Use the assessments that Goldberg provides to make sure you are properly customizing the organization system for the child.
• If a binder doesn’t work well, a clear plastic accordion file works well to organize all of a child’s school subjects.
• Use a Desktop Filing System to keep papers organized at home.  If you have a file box for each child organized by subject, they can easily file their paperwork every couple of weeks.
• If the child doesn’t do homework at their own desk, or likes to do homework in different places, a tackle box or art supply box can be used to hold/organize all school supplies and go with the student where ever they study.

Help your student with ADHD achieve more in school and life

Due to popular demand, I am offering my popular ADHD work shop “Turmoil to Tranquility: Help Students with ADHD Achieve More” as a recorded teleseminar.  If you want to help your child or your students with ADHD achieve more in school and their personal lives, but have been unable to join us in person don’t miss this opportunity to help them.

After listening to the teleseminar, using the supporting materials and implementing action plans you will

• understand how ADHD affects students.
• have tools to help your student achieve more in school.
• overcome the overwhelm that can come with projects, disorganization and losing track of time.
• reduce stress.

Purchase this interactive teleseminar today for $19 to help your child or teenager overcome attention related challenges, develop academic and social solutions, and establish time-saving routines.  We explore the ways in which you can help your child to prevail over their challenges related to attention deficit disorders. You will learn strategies to help your child right away.  Don’t miss this valuable opportunity to help your children and students.  Purchase today by clicking the button below.

Have questions?  Contact us and will get you an answer right away!