[IPAC-List] Test Anxiety and the ADA

[Dennis Doverspike]

Since I am not up to data on the DSM and my clinical days are long past, I
checked with a school psychologist and a counseling psychologist. As per
previous suggestions, they indicated that text anxiety was not a disorder
but could be considered either under a generalized anxiety disorder or a
Social Phobia, if they met the diagnosis.

However, in terms of suggestions about mitigating through therapy already
offered by others, it is interesting that they independently offered that
the person could probably just take a pill.

In the end, it seems like this type of decision should be made by an ADA
office or panel. I usually recommend not having hr or the assessment people
make this decision, but a separate office or personnel.

Dennis Doverspike



On Tue, Sep 30, 2014 at 11:39 AM, Spilberg, Shelley at POST <
Shelley.Spilberg at post.ca.gov> wrote:

>  The MLA issue aside, an accommodation that alters the fundamental
> purpose of a selection test to be reasonable.  Therefore, if you can
> demonstrate that the testing time limit is embedded in the purpose of the
> test, then extra time would not be required (however, the search for other
> more reasonable alternatives that may remove the obstacle caused by the
> impairment is).
>
>
>
>
>
> Shelley Weiss Spilberg, Ph.D.
>
> California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training
>
> 1601 Alhambra Boulevard
>
> Sacramento, CA 95816
>
> (916) 227-4824
>
> Shelley.spilberg at post.ca.gov
>
>
>
> *From:* Reindl, Kevin [mailto:K1RQ at pge.com]
> *Sent:* Tuesday, September 30, 2014 6:04 AM
> *To:* Spilberg, Shelley at POST; <IPAC-List at ipacweb.org>
>
> *Subject:* RE: [IPAC-List] Test Anxiety and the ADA
>
>
>
> Thanks Shelley
>
>
>
> I've seen the argument that working is considered a major life activity,
> and the case was made that since tests for licenses, certification, job
> applications/employment, etc. are required for a large proportion of jobs,
> then test taking can be considered a major life activity.
>
>
>
> If the request was simply for testing in a quiet room, that would be easy,
> but the request is for additional time on a substantially speeded test.
>
>
>
> *From:* Spilberg, Shelley at POST [mailto:Shelley.Spilberg at post.ca.gov
> <Shelley.Spilberg at post.ca.gov>]
> *Sent:* Monday, September 29, 2014 4:18 PM
> *To:* Reindl, Kevin; <IPAC-List at ipacweb.org>
> *Subject:* RE: [IPAC-List] Test Anxiety and the ADA
>
>
>
> I don't believe that taking tests per se would be considered a major life
> activity; therefore, I question whether this must be accommodated (even if
> verified by a health professional).  What type of accommodation is being
> requested? If it would be easy to implement (e.g., quiet room, perhaps) you
> might consider providing it regardless.
>
>
>
> Shelley Weiss Spilberg, Ph.D.
>
> California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training
>
> 1601 Alhambra Boulevard
>
> Sacramento, CA 95816
>
> (916) 227-4824
>
> Shelley.spilberg at post.ca.gov
>
>
>
> *From:* Reindl, Kevin [mailto:K1RQ at pge.com <K1RQ at pge.com>]
> *Sent:* Monday, September 29, 2014 3:36 PM
> *To:* <IPAC-List at ipacweb.org>
> *Subject:* [IPAC-List] Test Anxiety and the ADA
>
>
>
> Does anyone have any resources describing the current state of Test
> Anxiety as an ADA-covered disability? Any relevant documents/interpretive
> guidelines or case law that might help?
>
>
>
> It's been a while since I received a request for accommodation for test
> anxiety...
>
>
>
> Thanks in advance.
>
>
>
> *Kevin Reindl*
>
> Pacific Gas & Electric
>
> Human Resources
>
> HR Strategy & Organizational Effectiveness
>
> 245 Market Street, N2J
>
> San Francisco, CA 94105
>
> Office: 415-973-7013
>
> Mobile: 619-322-3368
>
> k1rq at pge.com
>
>
>
>
>
>
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-- 
Dennis Doverspike, PhD., ABPP
Licensed Psychologist, #3539 (OHIO)
Independent Consultant
Professor of Psychology, University of Akron
dennisdoverspike at gmail.com

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