Modern Language oral exams in schools

My daughter with ASD just came home very upset - she had an end of year exam in Spanish. It was an oral exam - the teacher asked a series of questions which she was supposed to answer. I'd helped her practice, so know that she knew the material. Unfortuantly she said that she completely froze and was unable to speak at all. The examiner accused her of being "difficult" and threatened her with zero marks.

I have no experience of any modifications to this type of exams that can be made for people with ASD - do they exist? if so, what are they? 

If anyone has any ideas how I can support my daughter with this I'd really appreciate it.

Parents
  • Wow the teacher accused her of being difficult and threatened her with zero marks? That's not professional, not only for someone with ASD, but towards any student this teacher teaches to. No wonder your daughter froze and was unable to speak, that's an overwhelming amount of pressure to be putting on her. If someone is struggling already, putting them down and threatening them is not the way to go. That teacher was rushing your daughter, so they could get to the next person in line. This type of treatment is never appreciated by anybody.

    I'd say to give to the school feedback and tell them what happened to your daughter and what the teacher said, that this treatment is unethical, and what you'd like to happen next (give your daughter a second chance while being less rushed, give that teacher a lesson on ethical conduct, etc). 

Reply
  • Wow the teacher accused her of being difficult and threatened her with zero marks? That's not professional, not only for someone with ASD, but towards any student this teacher teaches to. No wonder your daughter froze and was unable to speak, that's an overwhelming amount of pressure to be putting on her. If someone is struggling already, putting them down and threatening them is not the way to go. That teacher was rushing your daughter, so they could get to the next person in line. This type of treatment is never appreciated by anybody.

    I'd say to give to the school feedback and tell them what happened to your daughter and what the teacher said, that this treatment is unethical, and what you'd like to happen next (give your daughter a second chance while being less rushed, give that teacher a lesson on ethical conduct, etc). 

Children