How to Deal with Your Exams when You Are Autistic

For autistics, general day-to-day life can be very stressful and anxiety-inducing, but exams can amplify this feeling even more. There are lots of arrangements that can be put in place and many things that can be very helpful to making your exams as less stressful as possible. Don't be afraid to ask; you never know until you do!

EditSteps

EditGetting Accommodations

1. Start early. Don't wait until two days before the exam to ask for help. Talk to your school's disability specialist or disability office at the beginning of the school year. This way, there will be plenty of time to get everything in order, and you can focus on studying by the time of your first exam.
   
   • If you are in college, you will be expected to advocate for yourself, instead of having your parents/guardians handle it. The disability office can help walk you through the needed steps.
2. Ensure that you have the needed documentation. Depending on your school, you will need some sort of proof of your disability. This may mean making an appointment with a general doctor or a specialist, who can write a note.
   
   • If you have gotten accommodations at this school in previous years, you most likely will not need to bring in any more proof.
3. Consider what type of accommodations you may need. Accommodations are meant to help you focus and feel less stressed; they are intended to "level the playing field."
   
   • Extended time (1.5 or 2 times the allotted time)
   • Ear plugs/ear defenders
   • Private room; this can limit distractions, and allow you to stim freely without worrying that you will disturb others
   • Stim toys (tangles, gum, etc.)
   • A reader to read questions out loud
   • Weighted lap pad or blanket for deep pressure
4. Talk to your school disability specialist or disability office. They can help you figure out how to get what you need. You may be doing this for the first time, but they have plenty of experience, so they can help you through the process of getting accommodations.
   
   • Starting early makes things easier on them. They will be happy to see you being proactive.

EditBeing Prepared

1. Know where your exam is. It is also worth asking that if you struggle with background noise or feel more anxious in a large examination room, whether or not it would be possible to take your exam with less students, or on your own completely (individually). If you know where your exam room is, you may be able to pick a spot which you prefer sitting at for each of your exams.
   
2. Gather all necessary equipment early on. Consider putting it in a clear pencil case or plastic bag. You may need or want the following...
   
   • Pencils and eraser
   • Stim toys
   • Gum, jawbreakers, or lollipops
   • Medication
   • Reading rulers & colored overlays
   • Colored pencils & colored highlighters
   • Clear water bottle
3. Write a social story all about exams. This can include where the exams will take place, necessary preparations and how to deal with exam anxiety etc. Including lots of pictures and even an exam timetable can be very useful. Remember to use positive language during your social story, which may be good to read through just before you go into an exam.
   
4. Create a calm down sheet that you can look at at home. This can include lots of different strategies that you can use to reduce stress during your exams. You could include techniques such as different breathing techniques, mindfulness, EFT and using fidget toys, etc.
   

EditHandling Exam Time

1. Read the questions through at least twice. Make sure that you read everything on the page, even if it looks irrelevant at a glance. It may help to read the questions aloud (if you are in a private room) or have a reader.
   
2. Use visuals to your advantage. If you struggle to write down what you mean, then sometimes it may help to draw a picture, especially if it is something like a science exam. It is always better to put something down than nothing, even if you are not sure of the answer. Remember; if you have time at the end then you can always go back to the question.
   
3. Take small breaks as needed. If you find your focus slipping away, stop. Take a break to stim, stand up and stretch, rock in your chair, et cetera. Having a private room is especially helpful, because you don't need to hold yourself back when stimming, and you can get up to pace and re-orient yourself.
   
4. Go back over the exam, if you have time. It can be helpful to "re-take" the exam by reviewing all the questions and calculating your answers a second time. Checking your work can help you find little mistakes and raise your score by several points.
   

EditTips

• When in doubt, get the extra help. For example, if you aren't sure if you should get 1.5 or 2 times the amount of time, play it safe and take the largest amount of time. If you end up not needing it, it's fine.

EditRelated wikiHows

• Recognize Anxiety if You're Autistic
• Do Well in School with Attention Deficit Disorder
• Stim
• Go Back to School if You're Autistic
• Succeed in School if You're Autistic
• Talk To Your Professor about Your Autism
• Be a Good Autistic or Special Needs Student
• Balance Studying with an Autism Related Obsession

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