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How to Request Extra Time for Your ADHD Child [with Letter Template]

Charlie Kiley

July 30, 2024

How to Request Extra Time for Your ADHD Child [with Letter Template]

How to Request Extra Time for Your ADHD Child [with Letter Template]

Navigating what support and adjustments your child or young person is entitled to at school can be overwhelming. We're here to help you through that process. 

Do you get extra time in exams for ADHD? This is a common question parents have. Today, we'll explore how to request additional time for your ADHD child. We've even included a letter template to make things as easy as possible.

Do you Get Extra Time in Exams for ADHD?

In short, yes, if you have ADHD, you are eligible for extra time in exams. But let's discuss why this is and provide you with the reason, empowering you with the knowledge needed to advocate for your child or young person.

  1. ADHD is a legally recognised disability (https://www.gov.uk/definition-of-disability-under-equality-act-2010 [1]). This means that anyone with ADHD is lawfully entitled to reasonable adjustments under the 2010 Equality Act. For example, additional time in exams would be classified as a reasonable adjustment.

  2. Information about Access Arrangements and Reasonable Adjustments is set out yearly in the Joint Council for Qualifications Access Arrangements and Reasonable Adjustments https://www.jcq.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/AA_regs_23-24_FINAL-3.pdf [2]. This year's guidance (2023/24) includes ADHD as an example condition eligible for 25% extra time.

Why ADHD Benefits from Extra Time

If you're reading this, we are sure that you know that extra time in exams is something that will benefit your ADHD child or young person; we've written some of the top reasons that this is to support you in articulating this to their school:

  • It helps the CYP process the questions being asked. ADHDers often have difficulties related to their working memory, meaning that it takes an increased period to recall and use information held in their memory.

  • It helps the CYP remain calm and work through questions at a pace that works for them. ADHDers often have difficulties relating to emotional regulation, and exams can usually exacerbate this. They can experience such intense emotions that they cannot concentrate on the exam.

  • Adjustments support the increased time before the CYP can start the exams. It is common for ADHDers to have difficulties with task initiation, and therefore, at the start of the exam, it is likely they will take longer to get going.

There are so many benefits that we could write an entire blog just on the benefits of extra time in exams for ADHD, but each child is different, and the benefits will vary from CYP to CYP.

Communicating with Teachers and School Administrators

Effectively communicating with your child or young persons' teachers and school administrators will be an important step in ensuring they receive the correct exam adjustments.

We recommend asking your child's teacher for a meeting to discuss their requirements instead of grabbing them quickly at the start or end of the day. If you know and/or have a relationship with the school's SENDCO, we recommend discussing extra time for exams with them.

In addition, if your child or young person has an allocated learning support assistant (LSA),, discuss this with them to ensure they can offer the best support to your child.

Writing a Letter or Email to Request Extra Time

It can be a daunting step to write your letter or email and hit send. Here are some of our tips for writing your letter, what evidence you may need, and any precautions to take:

  • Write it with your head and not your heart. This is the opposite of what we would usually advise, but when requesting specific adjustments that are legislated as rights, it is best to approach the situation in a logical, systematic way, ensuring you cover all things required to access this.

  • Ensure you have diagnostic evidence and any letters from your child's GP or psychological clinician (if appropriate).

  • Share the challenges your child or young person experiences and why they must receive this extra time.

Sample Letter Template for Requesting Extra Time

Dear [whom it may concern/name of person]

RE: [name of CYP] 's exam arrangements. Request for extra time.

This letter is to formally request extra time for [name of CYP] in all exams and other time-controlled conditions. [name of CYP] has a diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and this has a direct impact on [name of CYP] 's ability to perform under exam conditions. 

Providing [name of CYP] with extra time during exams and all other time-controlled conditions will give them more equitable outcomes.

ADHD is legally recognised as a disability under the Equality Act (2010), and as such, [name of CYP] is lawfully entitled to reasonable adjustments. Our request for [name of CYP] to receive extra time in their exams is a request for reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act (2010).

Some of the challenges [name of CYP] experience as a result of their ADHD, which also have a direct impact on their performance under exam conditions, include:

  • Difficulty with task initiation

  • Challenges in switching between tasks

  • Hypefocusing on specific aspects of their work

  • Challenges with emotional regulation, especially in times of pressure

The large majority of people with ADHD experience specific difficulties performing under timed conditions. The challenges they face can lead to negative externalities such as:

  • Poor attainment in exams compared to ability

  • Loss of self-esteem

  • Loss of motivation for studies

All of these are things that [name of CYP] will experience without the support of extra time in their exams.

The profound impact that ADHD has on ADHDers, including [name of CYP], is often overlooked, and we hope that you will support us in putting the relevant support in place ahead of [name of CYPs] exams.

We would welcome a meeting to discuss this further and ensure we can work collaboratively to provide [name of CYP] with the support they are entitled to.

Yours Sincerely,

[Your name]

Following Up on the Request and Implementing Extra Time

If you don't hear back from your child's teacher, you will likely want to follow up with them. We recommend waiting at least two school weeks before doing so (unless the request is urgent).

We'd also encourage you to follow up with your child's teacher if they have not formally confirmed that the extra time will be within four school weeks of your letter being sent to them.

For more articles on ADHD and online schooling, read:

References:

[1] https://www.gov.uk/definition-of-disability-under-equality-act-2010 

[2] https://www.jcq.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/AA_regs_23-24_FINAL-3.pdf

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