UNLOCK SAT, ACT & AP ACCOMMODATIONS:

Your Guide to Testing Support for DLD & Learning Disabilities

By Brooklyn Letters – NYC’s In-Home & Remote Speech-Language Therapy Experts

Is your bright child struggling to show their true potential on the SAT, ACT, or AP exams? For students with Developmental Language Disorder (DLD), dyslexia, or other learning challenges, timed standardized tests often don’t tell the whole story. At Brooklyn Letters, we understand this frustration and specialize in helping families unlock critical testing accommodations.

At Brooklyn Letters, NYC’s leading in-home and remote speech-language therapy practice, we specialize in comprehensive speech-language evaluations and reading, literacy, decoding, and spelling assessments—including online literacy evaluations—to support SAT, ACT, and AP testing accommodations. This ensures your child has the opportunity to demonstrate their true potential.

Families often don’t realize that a comprehensive language-based diagnosis with strong documentation can unlock appropriate accommodations, ensuring fairness and accessibility. Our team at Brooklyn Letters specializes in evaluating students with complex language needs and expertly guiding families through the accommodations request process required by both the College Board and ACT. Learn about our remote assessment options as well.

Understanding DLD & Learning Disabilities: Impact on SAT, ACT & AP Performance

Language disorders affect more than just speech. They impact how students process, understand, and express language. These difficulties often show up in classroom learning, social interactions, and — critically — during high-stakes SAT, ACT, and AP testing.

Types of Language Disorders That Qualify for Accommodations

• Expressive Language Disorder: Students struggle to clearly express themselves, especially under pressure. They may have trouble forming coherent sentences on a writing test or summarizing ideas in essay questions on the SAT or ACT.
• Receptive Language Disorder: This affects comprehension. Students may misunderstand multiple-choice questions, test directions, or math word problems — especially on the ACT exam or AP exams. This often necessitates extended time on SAT/ACT/AP exams.
• Language Processing Disorder: This impacts the brain’s ability to decode and organize language. A student might understand the words but still take longer to make sense of the information. That’s where extended time or audio support becomes crucial.

What Is Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) and Why Does It Matter?

Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) is a lifelong condition affecting approximately 7% of school-aged students. DLD is not caused by hearing loss, autism, or intellectual disability — yet it can significantly hinder a student’s ability to keep pace with their peers, particularly on language-heavy assessments for college entrance exams.

Many of these students are capable and intelligent, but their unique processing style requires special testing accommodations and personalized support to perform accurately on standardized exams like the SAT, ACT, and AP.

Required Documentation for SAT, ACT & AP Accommodations

To qualify for SAT accommodations for learning disabilities, ACT accommodations for learning disabilities, or AP exam accommodations for learning disabilities, the first step is establishing eligibility through proper documentation. Both the College Board and ACT require:

• A student eligibility form signed by a licensed provider
• A full psychoeducational evaluation or speech-language or literacy testing for test accommodations
• Proof that school accommodations are already in place (e.g., IEP for test accommodations or 504 plan for test accommodations)
• A documented history of classroom supports and prior intervention

At Brooklyn Letters, our Speech-Language Pathologists use gold-standard tools (e.g., CELF, OWLS) and write customized reports tailored to the requirements of each testing agency — increasing the likelihood of approval for your child’s language processing disorder accommodations or dyslexia SAT accommodations.

Feeling overwhelmed by the documentation requirements? Our expert Speech-Language Pathologists are here to help—explore our remote assessment options.

The ACT Accommodations Request Process: Your Step-by-Step Guide to Success

The ACT offers a variety of allowable ACT accommodations to students with disabilities, including:

• 50% or 100% extended time on ACT exams
• Testing over multiple days (special testing)
• Access to breaks and snacks for medical conditions
• Audio versions of questions
• Typing essays using a computer
• A separate room for national testing

Role of School Officials in ACT Requests

The school official — typically a special education coordinator or guidance counselor — must initiate the accommodations request via ACT’s online platform. Families can’t submit this alone. Brooklyn Letters collaborates directly with these school representatives to ensure the documentation is complete and meets the criteria for ACT accommodations for learning disabilities.

SAT & AP Exams: Simplifying Your College Board Accommodations Request

The College Board oversees the SAT and AP exams, offering similar accommodations but with its own procedures and deadlines.

Key College Board Accommodations Include:

• Time-and-a-half or double time (how to get extended time on SAT/AP)
• Extra breaks
• Use of assistive technology
• Text-to-speech for reading disabilities (dyslexia SAT accommodations)
• Braille or large-print testing materials

Applications must be submitted well before the late registration deadline to ensure timely approval for your SAT accommodations for learning disabilities. At Brooklyn Letters, we provide guidance from start to finish — from completing the student eligibility form to communicating directly with the school team in NYC.

Accommodations for English Learners and Bilingual Students

English learners may face challenges unique from those with disabilities but often benefit from overlapping English learner supports such as:

• Use of bilingual glossaries
• Directions provided in native languages
• Extended time
• Separate-room testing for fewer distractions

These options vary between ACT and the College Board. Brooklyn Letters evaluates students with dual-language needs in NYC to support both accommodations for students and English learner supports. Learn about our speech-language therapy for teens and bilingual students.

Differences Between ACT, SAT, and AP Exams: What Parents Should Know

While both organizations support students with disabilities, there are some critical differences:

Understanding these differences will help families prepare targeted requests and avoid confusion near a critical test date.

Breakdown of Accommodations: Choosing the Right Support

Here’s a breakdown of accommodations that may be requested based on your child’s profile, particularly for those with language processing disorder accommodations or ADHD SAT accommodations:

• Extended time – great for language processing delays and test anxiety.
• Computer-based testing – for motor or expressive language difficulties.
• Audio testing – for dyslexia or receptive challenges.
• Separate room – reduces anxiety and distraction.
• Multiple-day testing – for stamina, attention, or medical reasons.

Selecting the correct combination depends on the evaluation report and the student’s unique learning profile. Our team ensures every accommodation request is individualized.

Important Dates: Registration, Deadlines, and Approvals

Planning ahead is critical for SAT accommodations for learning disabilities and other exams. ACT and College Board have strict timelines:

• Test Date: Register early for preferred locations.
• Late Registration Deadline: Avoid costly fees and missed opportunities.
• Documentation Due: Submit at least 7–8 weeks prior to the exam.

College Entrance Exams Are High-Stakes — So Is the Right Support

Students preparing for college have enough on their plate. Navigating the complex world of test accommodations can be daunting. By securing appropriate accommodations, you provide your child with the environment they need to show what they truly know — not just how fast they can read or write. Securing these accommodations doesn’t just ensure fairness; it empowers your child to reduce test anxiety, demonstrate their full knowledge, and ultimately achieve the scores they deserve for college admissions.

The right combination of supports levels the playing field for:

• Students with disabilities (e.g., DLD, dyslexia, ADHD)
• English learners
• Those who’ve had consistent school-based services (IEP for test accommodations, 504 plan for test accommodations)

Resources for Students, Families, and Educators

Brooklyn Letters provides comprehensive support to guide families through:

• Evaluation and report writing (psychoeducational evaluation for test accommodations, private speech therapist for DLD diagnosis)
• Navigating ACT and College Board portals
• Identifying school-based services for students
• Preparing for national testing and online testing options
• Ensuring same accommodations used in school apply to official tests

We also maintain up-to-date information about eligibility, procedural differences, and success tips for securing support before any major test date.

Ready to Secure Accommodations for Your Child?

To get started:

• Contact ACT via their accommodations support portal.
• Visit the College Board’s SSD page.
• Reach out to your school official.
• Or schedule a consultation with Brooklyn Letters — we’re here to help you secure SAT, ACT, or AP accommodations for your child.

Final Thoughts: Give Your Child the Confidence They Deserve

Every child deserves the opportunity to succeed — and that includes students who need ACT accommodations, English learner supports, or services for students with disabilities. Whether it’s your first time applying or you’ve been denied in the past, Brooklyn Letters offers the tools, evaluations, and expertise to move forward with confidence.

Let us help you submit the strongest possible accommodations request with the right documentation, aligned with current College Board and ACT standards.

Contact Us Today for Expert DLD Evaluation & Test Accommodations Support in NYC!

Our team offers the convenience of in-home speech-language evaluations or secure remote sessions across Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island. We also serve Long Island, Westchester, New Jersey, Philly, and Connecticut.

• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: (917) 426-8880
• Website: www.brooklynLetters.com