Succeeding in School with Diabetes: Why Testing Accommodations Matter
If you’re a parent of a child with diabetes or a college student managing your own blood sugars, this topic might surprise you - testing accommodations. They’re one of the most overlooked yet powerful tools that can make a huge difference in your academic success.
Why Testing Accommodations Matter
Living with diabetes can make school challenging. Blood sugar highs and lows can hit at the worst times - even during exams. Testing accommodations make sure you’re not penalized for things outside your control. They give you the space to manage your blood sugar safely while still doing your best work.
What Are Testing Accommodations?
Testing accommodations are special adjustments that allow students with diabetes to take exams under fair conditions. These might include:
- Extra time if your blood sugar goes high or low during a test
- Permission to bring snacks or a glucose meter into the exam room
- Breaks for blood sugar checks or insulin doses
- Flexible scheduling if you need time to recover from a blood sugar episode
The goal is simple - to make sure your grade reflects your effort and knowledge, not your blood sugar levels.
A Real Example
Picture this: you’re in the middle of an Advanced Placement (AP) exam, feeling confident. Then your blood sugar drops fast. Without testing accommodations, you’d lose time, risk breaking rules if you leave the room, and struggle to finish the test clearly.
With accommodations, you could pause, treat your low safely, and pick up right where you left off. That’s the difference between being at a disadvantage and having a fair shot.
Creating a Level Playing Field
Testing accommodations don’t give you an unfair advantage - they give you equal access. They ensure you’re graded for your knowledge and preparation, not affected by unpredictable blood sugar swings. It’s about fairness, not favoritism.
It Doesn’t Stop at High School
These accommodations extend beyond high school into college and graduate school. Diabetes doesn’t pause when you move to a new level of education, and neither should your support system. Whether you’re taking a college final or a professional licensing exam, you can request similar accommodations.
How to Get Testing Accommodations
If you haven’t looked into this yet, now’s the time. Here’s what to do:
- Talk to your school’s disability or student support office.
- Provide documentation from your doctor confirming your diabetes and need for accommodations.
- Be clear about your needs - such as snacks, breaks, or access to medical devices.
- Plan ahead so everything’s approved before test day.
It might take a bit of paperwork, but it’s worth it. These accommodations can turn stressful test days into manageable ones.
Advocate for Yourself (or Your Child)
Don’t let fear or stigma stop you. Asking for testing accommodations isn’t asking for special treatment - it’s asking for fairness. Your health and your education matter, and you deserve both.
Final Thoughts
Testing accommodations are one of the most powerful - and underused - supports for students with diabetes. They make school less stressful, more balanced, and more empowering.
Whether you’re helping your child or managing diabetes in college yourself, take the leap and ask about them. You’ll thank yourself later when your results reflect your true potential.
