Support for children with a disability, chronic illness or impairment
Support for children with a disability, chronic illness or impairment
Learn how we can support children with a diagnosed condition that may affect their test performance within the Gifted and Talented application process. Understand how to apply for adjusted conditions or an exemption for your child.
There are 2 ways we can support children with a diagnosed condition that may affect their test performance within the Gifted and Talented application process:
- Academic Selective Entrance Test (ASET) exemption (for arts applicants only)
- Adjusted testing conditions (available for the ASET and, where possible, arts testing).
ASET exemptions
Children who are only applying for arts programs and have a diagnosed disability, chronic illness or impairment can request an exemption from sitting the ASET. Where an ASET exemption is granted, children will not be required to sit the ASET and will be selected for arts programs based only on their scores in the arts workshops and interviews. Without an exemption, all children must complete the ASET, even if they are only applying for arts programs.
Families granted an ASET exemption are also able to request adjusted testing conditions in the arts workshops and auditions to support their child.
Adjusted testing conditions
Appropriate, fair and reasonable adjusted testing conditions can be requested for both the ASET and, where relevant, arts testing. You will be required to provide evidence from a relevant medical specialist and your child’s current school to support your request.
When submitting your request, you will need to refer to the following table 'Possible adjustments for the Gifted and Talented Academic Selective Entrance Test' and determine the adjustments possible based on a child’s individual diagnosis/es.
Decisions for adjusted testing conditions will be made by a panel and based on the nature of the condition/s, the type of assessment and the demonstrated functional impact of the condition both in the context of the assessment to be undertaken and at the current school level.
Possible adjustments for the ASET
Refer to the following table to establish the ASET testing adjustments your child may be eligible for. The adjustments are guided by the principles set out in the School Curriculum and Standards Authority’s Equitable Access to Assessment policy to establish fair and reasonable adjustments within the unique context of the ASET. The adjustments listed have been designed to facilitate access for affected children, while not undermining the rigour or intent of the ASET. Permitted adjustments balance the needs of the affected child while not conferring unfair advantage or disadvantage on any other applicant or applicants. The following adjustments can also, where applicable, be requested for Gifted and Talented arts assessments.
| Possible adjustments for the ASET by condition | |
|---|---|
| Allergies | Permission to take medication |
| Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder | Smaller, quieter test centre with increased ratio supervision, permission to take medication, non-working rest breaks between tests, noise-cancelling headphones during non-instruction time (parent or carer supplied) |
| Anorexia nervosa | Smaller, quieter test centre with increased ratio supervision, non-working rest breaks, hospital exam |
| Arthritis | Non-working rest breaks, permission to take medication, alternate furniture or equipment (parent or carer supplied), permission to mark answers directly on test booklet |
| Autism spectrum disorder | Smaller, quieter test centre with increased ratio supervision, permission for parent or carer to remain onsite, permission to take medication, non-working rest breaks between tests, specified seating, comfort or fidget item, extra working time (where justified by functional impact only), noise-cancelling headphones during non-instruction time (parent or carer supplied) |
| Back injury | Alternate furniture or equipment (parent or carer supplied), specified seating, non-working rest breaks, permission to take medication |
| Bowel problems / Crohn’s disease / Irritable Bowel Syndrome | Non-working rest breaks, specialised seating, permission to take medication and food |
| Broken or injured arm (writing hand) | Extra working time, device for the writing test (parent or carer supplied), scribe (where justified), permission to mark answers directly on test booklet |
| Broken leg | Specialised furniture or footrest (parent or carer supplied), alternate seating to maximise space |
| Carpal tunnel syndrome | Non-working rest breaks |
| Cerebral Palsy | Non-working rest breaks, extra working time (where justified), alternate furniture or equipment (parent or carer supplied), permission to mark answers directly on test booklet device for the writing test (parent or carer supplied), scribe (where justified) |
| Chronic fatigue syndrome (including post-viral syndrome, glandular fever) | Non-working rest breaks between tests, permission to take medication and food |
| Chronic pain | Smaller, quieter test centre with increased ratio supervision, permission to take medication, non-working rest breaks between tests, noise-cancelling headphones during non-instruction time (parent or carer supplied) |
| Depression (severe) | Smaller, quieter test centre with increased ratio supervision, permission to take medication, non-working rest breaks between tests, noise cancelling headphones during non-instruction time (parent or carer supplied) |
| Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) (previously known as Dyspraxia) | Non-working rest breaks, enlarged answer booklet, extra working time in the writing assessment, device for the writing test (parent or carer supplied), permission to mark answers directly on test booklet, scribe (where justified) |
| Diabetes | Non-working rest breaks or rest breaks at discretion (where required), permission to take medication and food, glucose monitoring, parent or carer to remain onsite Note: Extra working time will not be permitted for Diabetes unless significant functional impact is evidenced through recent CGM transcripts |
| Dysgraphia (motor-based) | Non-working rest breaks, extra working time in the writing assessment, device for the writing test (parent or carer supplied), permission to mark answers directly on test booklet |
| Epilepsy | Specified seating, permission to take medication, parent or carer to remain onsite |
| Fine motor disabilities | Non-working rest breaks, permission to mark answers directly on test booklet, use of a device for the writing test, use of a scribe (where justified), extra working time in the writing test only |
| Gynaecological conditions | Permission to take medication |
| Head injury – severe (sustained within two years of ASET) | Non-working rest breaks, permission to take medication, heat pack, extra working time |
| Hearing loss | Specified seating, written instructions, smaller, quieter test centre with increased ratio supervision, supervisor to wear FM device (supplied by parent) |
| Immune system disorders | Non-working rest breaks, smaller, quieter test centre with increased ratio supervision, permission to take medication |
| Irlen Syndrome (scotopic sensitivity) | Specified seating, non-working rest breaks, coloured overlay (parent or carer supplied) |
| Language disorder (does not include second-language students) | Smaller, quieter test centre with increased ratio supervision and additional guidance, extra working time |
| Medical conditions (cancer, recent organ transplant, etc) | Hospital exam, non-working rest breaks, permission to take medication and food, permission for parent or carer to remain onsite, smaller, quieter test centre with increased ratio supervision OR one-on-one testing (where justified), extra working time (where justified) |
| Muscular dystrophy | Non-working rest breaks, use of a device in the writing test (parent or carer supplied) or scribe (where justified), alternate furniture or equipment (parent or carer supplied), extra working time (where justified) |
| Muscular problems (including Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome) | Non-working rest breaks, alternate furniture or equipment (parent or carer supplied), permission to take medication, use of a device in the writing section (parent or carer supplied), extra time in the writing section only (where justified) |
| Neurological disorder not separately listed (stroke, nerve damage, etc) | Non-working rest breaks, extra working time (where justified), alternate furniture or equipment (parent or carer supplied), permission to take medication, smaller, quieter test centre with increased ratio supervision, noise-cancelling headphones during non-instruction time (parent or carer supplied) |
| Obsessive-compulsive disorder | Non-working rest breaks, extra working time (where justified), smaller, quieter test centre with increased ratio supervision, permission to take medication, alternate furniture or equipment (parent or carer supplied), specified seating, noise-cancelling headphones during non-instruction time (parent or carer supplied) |
| Panic attacks | Smaller, quieter test centre with increased ratio supervision, specified seating, non-working rest breaks, comfort item |
| Paraplegia / Quadriplegia | Non-working rest breaks, extra working time (where justified), alternate furniture or equipment (parent or carer supplied), use of a device for the writing test (parent or carer supplied) or scribe (where justified) |
| Psychological / clinical anxiety | Smaller, quieter test centre with increased ratio supervision, specified seating, non-working rest breaks, permission to take medication, comfort item, permission for parent or carer to remain onsite or one-on-one testing (where justified) |
| Rheumatism | Non-working rest breaks, use of a device in the writing test with extra time in the writing test only, alternate furniture or equipment (parent or carer supplied) |
| Scoliosis | Non-working rest breaks, alternate furniture (parent or carer supplied), permission to take medication |
| Specific learning disorder in reading (includes Dyslexia) and / or mathematics | Extra working time, use of a C-Pen Exam Reader (or similar, parent or carer supplied), smaller, quieter test centre with increased ratio supervision |
| Specific learning disorder in written expression | Extra working time in the writing test only, use of a device for the writing test (parent or carer supplied) |
| Stutter or speech impediment | Extra time for oral arts auditions only. Permission to write or type responses to questions within a live interview scenario. |
| Sweaty palms (Hyperhidrosis) | Alternate equipment such as a hand towel (parent or carer supplied), non-working rest breaks |
| Tendinitis | Non-working rest breaks, alternate furniture or equipment (parent or carer supplied), use of a device for the writing test (parent or carer supplied) |
| Tourette syndrome | One-on-one supervision (where justified), smaller, quieter test centre with increased ratio supervision, non-working rest breaks, extra working time (where justified by comorbid diagnoses) |
| Tremor | Non-working rest breaks, specified seating, use of a device in the writing test (parent or carer supplied) or scribe (where justified), extra time in the writing test only (where justified) |
| Urinary disorders | Non-working rest breaks, specified seating, smaller, quieter test centre, permission to take medication and food |
| Vision impairment | Non-working rest breaks, extra working time in the Reading Comprehension and Quantitative Reasoning tests only (where justified), A3 enlarged test papers, permission to answer directly onto test book, use of a device for the writing test (parent or carer supplied), alternate equipment (parent or carer supplied) |
For advice on conditions not listed above, email gtsu@education.wa.edu.au or call 9264 4307.
Possible adjustments for Arts workshops and auditions
The following table shows the different kinds of arts testing and the adjustments possible. If your child would have qualified for one of the adjustments listed for the ASET, you can request the same adjustment for their arts testing.
| Arts testing type | Adjustments possible |
|---|---|
| Drama workshop and call-back | Additional instruction/monitoring, permission for parent to remain onsite, permission to take medication, comfort or fidget item, noise-cancelling headphones during non-instruction time, additional reading time |
| Media Arts workshop | Additional instruction/monitoring, permission for parent to remain onsite, permission to take medication, non-working rest breaks, choose own seat, comfort or fidget item, extra working time in the Media Arts written task only (where justified), noise-cancelling headphones during non-instruction time (parent or carer supplied), alternate furniture or equipment (parent supplied), permission to use a device for the Media Arts written task only (parent or carer supplied), use of a C-Pen Exam Reader (or similar, parent supplied) |
| Visual Arts workshop | Additional instruction/monitoring, permission for parent to remain onsite, permission to take medication, non-working rest breaks, choose own seat, comfort/fidget item, extra working time in the Visual Arts written task only (where justified), noise-cancelling headphones during non-instruction time (parent or carer supplied), alternate furniture or equipment (parent supplied), permission to use a device for the Media Arts written task only (parent or carer supplied), use of a C-Pen Exam Reader (or similar, parent or carer supplied) |
| Dance workshop | No specific adjustments. Parents or carers are able to remain onsite. |
| Music auditions | No specific adjustments. Parents or carers are able to remain onsite. |
For advice on any conditions not listed above, email gtsu@education.wa.edu.au or call 9264 4307.
How to apply for an ASET exemption or adjusted testing conditions
To apply for an ASET exemption or adjusted testing conditions:
- complete the Adjusted testing conditions and exemptions request form
- lodge an online application for Gifted and Talented programs.
All forms must be completed in full and supported by evidence.
Email your completed Adjusted testing conditions and exemptions request form to gtsu@education.wa.edu.au no later than 6 pm Friday 5 February 2027. If you are unsure of your child’s particular needs or need assistance submitting a request, you can call us before this date on 9264 4307.
Note:
Requests received after the deadline will only be considered under exceptional circumstances and may be limited due to the tight testing timeframe.