Carpal tunnel syndrome Discomfort/pain with writing Rest breaks Specialist medical report School case management comments Cerebral palsy Impaired capacity to write or handle examination materials, fatigue Rest breaks and/or extra working time dependent on the individual, use of a computer/scribe Specialist medical report School case management comments Chronic fatigue syndrome Tiredness/inability to concentrate due to illness (including post-viral syndrome, glandular fever) Rest breaks, permission to take medication, food/drink Current medical report School case management comments Colour blindness Unable to distinguish between certain colours Relevant coloured sections of the assessment modified, magnification aids, enlarged colour pictures/diagrams, black and white pictures/diagrams Specialist medical report School case-management comments Depression (severe) Concentration, organisation and planning difficulties Rest breaks or extra working time (if justified) Specialist medical report School case management comments* Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) (previously known as Dyspraxia) Difficulty planning and coordinating physical movement including handwriting Modified writing lines (dotted thirds or wide spaced), rest breaks, extra working time, use of a computer/scribe Specialist medical report (Occupational Therapist) School case management comments* Diabetes Need to maintain blood sugar levels Difficulty maintaining focus due to frequent medical management tasks. Food/drink, glucose monitoring, permission to take medication, rest breaks/time at discretion Current medical report School case management comments
Dysgraphia (motor-based) Difficulties with handwriting Dotted thirds lines for essays, rest breaks, extra working time, use of a computer/scribe Specialist medical report (Occupational Therapist) School case management comments* Epilepsy Disruption to other candidates, risk of injury Out of order seating, medication Current medical report Fine motor disabilities Difficulty writing, pain, excessive fatigue with writing Rest breaks, modified writing lines, special format papers, extra working time, use of a computer/scribe Specialist medical report School case management comments* Hand/arm injury Difficulty writing, pain, excessive fatigue with writing Rest breaks, extra working time, scribe, computer Current medical report and/or OT or Physiotherapy report School case management comments* Head injury – severe (sustained within the last two years) Mental processing difficulty Rest breaks, permission to take medication, extra working time Specialist medical report School case management comments* Head injury – severe (sustained more than two years ago) Covered by learning disability arrangements Covered by learning disability arrangements Covered by learning disability arrangements Hearing loss Difficulty following supervisors’ instructions, difficulty hearing listening components, impaired use of written language, fatigue Seating at front, instructions in writing, special equipment. Interpreter, extra reading or working time or rest breaks dependent on the individual Current medical report School case management comments* Infectious illness Contagious for other candidates Hospital, home exam or separate room Current medical report
Irlen Syndrome (scotopic sensitivity) Difficulty working from white paper Coloured overlay or coloured examination papers Specialist medical report School case management comments Language disorder Difficulty understanding concepts and vocabulary or expressing knowledge Clarifier (reword questions in simplified language), extra working time Current speech pathology report School case management comments* Medical conditions (cancer, recent organ transplants) Discomfort/pain, fatigue, reduced immunity, need for medical treatment, nausea Rest breaks or extra working time dependent on the individual, food/drink, permission to take medication, hospital or home exam Specialist medical report School case management comments* Muscular dystrophy Difficulty writing, pain, excessive fatigue with writing Rest breaks and/or extra working time dependent on the individual, use of a computer/scribe Specialist medical report School case management comments* Muscular problems Difficulty writing, pain, excessive fatigue with writing Rest breaks, specialised equipment Current medical report Neurological disability Difficulty writing, pain, excessive fatigue with writing, impaired processing Rest breaks, extra working time, specialised equipment Specialist medical report School case management comments* Obsessive-compulsive disorder/severe depression Difficulty with cognition/concentration, repetitive behaviours Rest breaks, extra working time dependent on the individual Specialist medical report School case management comments* Panic attacks Concentration difficulty, anxiety preventing performance in a group situation Specified seating near exit/window/door, rest breaks Specialist medical report School case management comments
Paraplegia/Quadriplegia Difficulty writing, pain, excessive fatigue with writing Rest breaks and/or extra working time dependent on the individual, specialised equipment, use of a computer/scribe, special papers Specialist medical report OT report School case management comments* Pregnancy In hospital for birth, difficulty with prolonged sitting, frequent visits to toilet Toilet breaks, food/drink, special chair, permission to move, rest/feeding breaks, home/hospital supervision Current medical report giving expected date of delivery Psychological/clinical anxiety Concentration difficulty, anxiety preventing performance in a group situation Rest breaks, specified seating near window/door, permission to take medication, separate supervision Specialist medical report School case management comments Rheumatism Difficulty writing, pain, excessive fatigue with writing Rest breaks, extra working time dependent on the individual, specialised equipment Specialist medical report School case management comments* Scoliosis Discomfort/pain, difficulty with prolonged sitting Rest breaks, ergonomic furniture Current medical report Specific learning disorder in mathematics Difficulties in use of arithmetic skills Extra working time Specialist psychologist report School case management comments Specific learning disorder in reading (includes dyslexia) Difficulties with reading and spelling Extra working time, C-Pen Exam Reader Specialist psychologist report School case management comments* Specific learning disorder in written expression Difficulties with written expression, spelling and handwriting Extra working time, use of a computer/scribe (in severe cases only) Specialist psychologist report School case management comments* Stammer/stutter Difficulty speaking in an oral test or examination Additional time for oral test or examinations Specialist medical report
Possible adjustments Dependent on type of specific learning disorder and its demonstrated functional impact: Extra working time Rest breaks (motor dysgraphia only) Scribe for Writing test (motor dysgraphia only) NAPLAN support person – (motor dysgraphia only) Assistive technology/ computers (motor dysgraphia only) Black and white print format (SLD in reading) Reading is not considered an adjustment for disability as all students can ask to have numeracy questions and the writing prompt read to them and no students can have the stimulus material or questions read to them in reading and language conventions. Dependent on type of specific learning disorder and its demonstrated functional impact. All tests Extra working time Rest breaks (motor dysgraphia only) Support person – scribe or computer operator (motor dysgraphia only) Reading is not considered an adjustment for disability as all students can ask to have numeracy questions and the writing prompt read to them and no students can have the stimulus material or questions read to them in reading. Dependent on type of specific learning disorder and its demonstrated functional impact. All tests Extra working time Rest breaks (motor dysgraphia only) Scribe or computer (motor dysgraphia only) Reading of the task (SLD in reading) or Exam-reader scanning pen. Dependent on type of specific learning disorder and its demonstrated functional impact. Frequently, extra working time. Could also include scribe, oral reading of examination, use of Exam-reader scanning pen, use of a computer.
Notification to Authority of adjustments Applications to the Authority must be made by the school for alternative print formats; use of a scribe for the Writing test; and use of assistive technology/ computer on the prescribed form. Supporting documentation is to be retained at the school. All adjustments accessed during the test by a student will be recorded on the Participation Website. Schools must advise the Authority of any student approved for rest breaks, extra working time or scribe. Supporting documentation is to be retained at the school. Nil, unless the task needs to be formatted in Braille or other special font size or format. Supporting documentation is to be retained at the school. Application by the school. Application process which includes a form, diagnostic report, case management including success of targeted intervention and trialling of special arrangements, work samples. Sources of truth (publication) National protocols for test administration; Handbook for principals; Test administration handbook for teachers Online Literacy and Numeracy Assessment Handbook Externally Set Tasks Handbook The Authority’s website Guiding principle Disability Discrimination Act 1992 Disability Standards for Education 2005 Disability Discrimination Act 1992 Disability Standards for Education 2005 Disability Discrimination Act 1992 Disability Standards for Education 2005 Disability Discrimination Act 1992 Disability Standards for Education 2005 ACACA national consistency Dyslexia SPELD Foundation Precedent from court or tribunal hearings nationally