For SAT, ACT, MCAT School Accommodations & Academic Planning
Extended Time & Academic Accommodation Evaluations
Comprehensive evaluations for students whose academic performance may not fully reflect their true abilities under standard testing conditions.
Serving Long Island & Queens, NY
Dr. Courtney Duhning, Psy.D., ABSNP, NCSPPediatric Neuropsychologist · Manhasset, NYThis is often when families begin asking questions.
A student may be:
- highly intelligent
- knowledgeable about the material
- capable in discussion and class participation
…but still struggling with:
- timed tests
- written output
- processing efficiency
- sustaining attention over longer tasks
- completing work within expected timeframes
Parents often describe students who:
- know the material but cannot finish tests in time
- require significantly longer for homework than peers
- become mentally exhausted by academic demands
- perform inconsistently despite strong effort
As academic expectations increase in middle school, high school, and standardized testing environments, these difficulties often become more noticeable.
Understanding the “why” behind academic difficulties is so important
An accommodation evaluation helps identify whether underlying factors may be impacting academic efficiency or test performance.
This may include evaluation of:
attention and executive functioning
processing speed
reading fluency
written expression
learning differences
working memory
cognitive fatigue and efficiency
The goal is not simply to obtain accommodations.
The goal is to understand why a student may not be able to demonstrate knowledge effectively under standard academic conditions.
Families often seek accommodation evaluations for:
Extended Time Testing
Students who:
- work accurately but slowly
- require additional processing time
- struggle completing exams within standard limits
SAT & ACT Accommodations
This may include:
- extended time
- separate setting
- breaks
- assistive technology recommendations
High School & Middle School Accommodations
Recommendations related to:
- 504 Plans
- classroom accommodations
- academic support planning
- executive functioning support
Transition Planning
As students move into:
- middle school
- high school
- college-preparatory environments
Academic demands often increase significantly, making previously compensated difficulties more noticeable.
Accommodations are not about lowering expectations.
Accommodations are designed to provide students with fair access to demonstrate what they know.
Many students seeking accommodations are:
- highly capable
- hardworking
- academically motivated
…but require substantially more effort, time, or cognitive energy to perform at the same level as peers.
A comprehensive evaluation helps clarify whether accommodations may be appropriate based on the student’s learning profile.
Accommodation needs may be associated with:
- ADHD
- Dyslexia
- Dysgraphia
- Dyscalculia
- Executive functioning difficulties
- Processing speed weaknesses
- Anxiety impacting test performance
The goal is not simply accommodations.
The goal is:
clarity
reduced frustration
improved academic access
greater confidence
understanding how a student learns most effectively
For many families, the process helps explain years of excessive effort, exhaustion, and inconsistent academic performance.
About Dr. Duhning
Dr. Duhning is a board-certified pediatric neuropsychologist with specialized training in both clinical evaluation and the school system.
Her background as a practicing school psychologist — including experience with IEP and 504 processes — allows her to provide not just diagnostic clarity, but meaningful guidance on how to apply results in real-world settings.
Families often choose this practice when they are looking for:
- a more precise and individualized understanding
- clear explanations — not confusing reports
- guidance they can actually use at home and in school
Serving families from Long Island and Queens, NY
This practice provides comprehensive dyslexia evaluations for children and teens across Long Island, including Nassau and Suffolk County, as well as Queens
Families often travel from areas such as: Syosset, Manhasset, Great Neck, Roslyn, Oyster Bay, Rockville Centre, Glen Cove, Garden City, Dix Hills, Commack, Smithtown, and surrounding communities.
When a student is capable but consistently struggling under academic demands, it’s worth understanding why.
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