Support for exams and assignments

Examinations and tests represent critical points in a student’s academic journey.

For autistic students, these periods can cause stress, anxiety, and unique learning challenges. To help reduce these pressures and to facilitate the best possible outcomes, it is important to implement strategic adjustments explicitly tailored to the student's needs. This approach recognises the student's distinct learning styles and processing speeds and creates a commitment to inclusive education.

Understanding the challenges

Autistic students may face several distinctive challenges during exams, which include:

• Increased anxiety and stress: The pressure to perform can heighten anxiety, which is particularly common among students who may also deal with perfectionism.
• Processing speed: Many students with autism require additional time to process and comprehend questions effectively.
• Fixation on specific questions: Perseveration, or the tendency to become fixated on a particular question, can hinder their ability to move on to other questions.
• Communication of thought processes: Some students may struggle to articulate their thought processes or logical steps leading up to an answer, focusing instead on the final answer.

Practical adjustments for exams

Adjustments can be made to the examination process to support autistic students. These adjustments ensure that the focus remains on accurately assessing knowledge rather than navigating the testing process.

Exam style adjustments

• Oral questions: Modifying the delivery of questions from written to oral can aid students who process auditory information more effectively than written ones.
• Use of a scribe: Pairing a student with a scribe they have previously met and practised with can help ease writing stress and focus their concentration on formulating answers.
• Dictation to a recording device: Allowing students to answer verbally using a recording device can reduce the barrier of physical writing.
• Segmented testing: Breaking the test into segments conducted over different days can reduce mental fatigue and anxiety.

Environmental adjustments

• Separate testing locations: A smaller or separate room can help reduce sensory overload and distractions.
• Strategic seating: Students should be placed where they feel most comfortable, such as near the examiner for reassurance.
• Entry and exit strategies: Allowing students to enter or leave the examination room first or last can help them avoid crowded and noisy situations.

Time adjustments

• Extended time: Allocating additional time is essential for those who need longer to process and understand questions.
• Flexible timing: Removing strict time limits can alleviate the pressure of speed, focusing instead on the depth of understanding.
• Additional reading time: Providing extra time for reading and comprehending questions can lead to more accurate responses.

Practice and preparation

Frequent practice through mock exams and past papers is invaluable. It familiarises students with the format and timing of the tests and helps educators identify the most beneficial adjustments for individual students. Practising exams helps students reduce exam-related anxiety by acclimating them to the testing environment.

Communication and understanding

Communicating effectively with students about the purpose of exam adjustments is crucial. Some students might hesitate to accept special accommodations because they want to appear different from their peers. Educators must frame these adjustments as tools that maximise their potential and reflect their true capabilities in a test setting.

Noise and distraction management

Environmental noise from overhead fans, air conditioning, outdoor activities, and general school traffic can disproportionately affect students with autism. Schools should consider these factors seriously when placing students in exam settings to avoid sensory distractions that can disrupt focus.

Implementing thoughtful and informed adjustments for autistic students during exams is not about giving them an advantage but levelling the playing field. These strategies help educators and schools fulfil their responsibility towards inclusive education, ensuring that all students can perform to the best of their abilities. Through careful planning and understanding, we can create an exam environment that recognises and respects the unique needs of students with autism, ultimately leading to their academic success and wellbeing.

Assisting students with their assignments

Assignments are a regular part of school life and can be challenging for many students, including those with autism. Autistic students may face unique challenges affecting their learning and academic task engagement. These challenges often stem from difficulties in communication, social interaction, sensory sensitivities and executive functioning. With the right strategies and understanding, educators can effectively support these students in succeeding in their assignments. 

When it comes to education, autistic students may face difficulties during assignments, such as struggling with:

• Understanding instructions: If instructions are unclear or too complex, students may find it challenging to comprehend what is asked of them.
• Organisational skills: Organising thoughts and materials and managing time can be challenging.
• Social communication: Interpreting assignment requirements involving abstract or inferential thinking can be exhausting.
• Sensory issues: Overstimulating environments, such as noisy classrooms or home environments, can disrupt focus.
• Flexibility: Students with autism often struggle to deal with changes or unexpected tasks in their assignments.
  

Supporting autistic students requires a collaborative approach, involving teachers, support staff, parents and the student. Here are several strategies that can be applied to help autistic students navigate assignments more effectively:

Clear and structured instructions

• Break down assignment tasks into smaller, manageable steps.
• Use visual aids like charts, diagrams, or lists to explain tasks clearly.
• Be consistent in your language and avoid abstract or ambiguous terms.
  

Create a supportive learning environment

• Offer a quiet and orderly physical space that minimises sensory distractions.
• Allow for breaks to help students manage sensory overload and reduce stress.
• Use technology and tools that can aid learning, such as computers, tablets, or specialised software.
  

Enhance organisational skills

• Teach and reinforce organisational skills using planners, electronic calendars, or visual schedules.
• Help students establish routines that can make completing assignments more predictable and less stressful.
• Encourage the use of checklists and timelines for long-term assignments.
  

Social understanding and communication

• Use role-playing or social stories to help students understand different perspectives and social cues.
• Provide explicit feedback on social interactions and communication-related to group assignments.
• Facilitate peer support groups where autistic students can interact and learn from their peers under guided supervision.
  

Adapt teaching methods and materials

• Incorporate the special interests and strengths of autistic students into assignments to increase engagement and motivation.
• Use multimodal teaching methods catering to diverse learning styles, such as visual, auditory, and kinesthetic.
• Modify assessments to accommodate the needs of students with autism, such as providing oral responses rather than written responses.

The role of technology in supporting students 

Technology can play an essential role in supporting autistic students. Educational technology can offer personalised learning experiences and assistive tools to help students with organisation, task management, and communication. For example:

• Speech-to-text software: Helps students who struggle with writing to complete their assignments.
• Digital reader technology: A digital reading pen with monolingual dictionaries providing word definitions. supports independent reading and learning.
• Visual timers and organisational apps: Aid in time management and organisation.
• Interactive learning software: Provides engaging and interactive ways to understand complex concepts.
  

A strong partnership between educators and parents/carers is essential in supporting autistic students. Parents can provide valuable insights into their child’s needs, preferences, and behaviours. Regular communication between teachers and parents can help monitor progress, share strategies, and make necessary adjustments to support plans.