How to handle results day stress when you’re neurodivergent

Hayley ClarkeEducation reporterBBCExam outcomes day might be robust for everybody – however particularly in the event you’re neurodivergent.That is the phrase used to explain individuals whose brains work in a different way to others, generally on account of circumstances like autism or ADHD.Trying again now as an grownup, I bear in mind the lead as much as the large day – however I did not know I had ADHD on the time.I had an enormous quantity of panic and fear that I would not get the grades I wanted to get into college, which resulted in migraines, vomiting and insomnia.Fortunately, all of it labored out in the long run and I loved the celebrations in school, even when it was a bit overwhelming.However now I do know I am neurodivergent, I have been questioning what suggestions might have helped me higher navigate the stress of that point.Forward of GCSE outcomes day this week, these are the teachings I’ve discovered from others who’ve been by comparable conditions extra not too long ago than me.’You are a lot greater than numbers on paper’HandoutPaddy says not having the added strain of needing sure grades to go straight to school was the suitable resolution for himPaddy, 20, from Worcestershire, says that while sitting his A-levels, his anxiousness was “massively heightened” by his obsessive-compulsive dysfunction (OCD).He’s captivated with politics and volunteers for psychological well being charity Younger Minds, now sharing his expertise to assist others.”All my focus turned to those exams, and I simply could not take pleasure in the rest, if I wasn’t learning,” he says.”After which any time something went incorrect, I’d catastrophise and suppose, ‘That is my entire life ruined due to the exams.’ And this type of constructed up and constructed up.”Paddy says his dad and mom have been “extremely nervous” about him on the time, and earlier than one in every of his exams he broke down crying “uncontrollably”.The strain of exams affected his sleep and consuming, and heightened his OCD signs, he says.On the day itself, he made positive he had plans, so regardless of the outcomes have been, he would not have to sit down at house and fear.Now Paddy says he appears again with “a lot satisfaction”, as a result of “no matter occurred, no matter my grades have been, I survived a extremely, actually tough interval of my life”.He was very completely happy along with his last A-level grades – two A*s and an A – however now wonders at what value.He says he needs he had taken extra time to calm down and be “kinder to myself”, which he thinks might have put him in a calmer place.Having been by it along with his counsellor, he desires others to keep in mind that “you are a lot greater than some numbers on a chunk of paper”.’Attempt to not examine your self with others’HandoutSpending time along with her canine Tina helps Lotte to relaxLotte, 22, from Peterborough, who’s autistic, loves studying and colouring and has simply accomplished a Degree 3 course in artistic media.5 years in the past, across the time Lotte took her GCSEs, she was struggling along with her psychological well being and had ended up in hospital – a second of disaster which led to her getting extra help at school, permitting her to remain in training for longer.After finishing her media course, Lotte is happy to pursue a profession in advertising both by college, an apprenticeship, or heading straight right into a job.However she says outcomes day can deliver “large strain”, and that the unpredictability of it may be “actually scary” for autistic individuals.Jolanta Lasota, chief govt of Formidable about Autism, agrees that the uncertainty of outcomes day might be “notably nerve-racking” for younger autistic individuals.She says dad and mom and carers can do quite a lot of issues to help them:Plan for a variety of situations, together with completely different potential gradesAvoid imprecise phrases like “don’t be concerned” when attempting to reassureLook at alternative routes of getting outcomes, like doing so onlineLotte says she did go to high school to gather her outcomes, as she wished to see her associates and lecturers, and make sure her place at sixth type.However she provides that it may be a extremely tough surroundings, resulting from individuals’s heightened feelings and noisy, crowded areas.Total, Lotte desires others with autism to keep in mind that “doing these exams is already an enormous achievement”.”Discover time to take care of your self and bear in mind the outcomes are private to you,” she says. “Attempt to not examine your self with different individuals, as a result of different individuals do not know the struggles you’ve got had.”‘It is your second’HandoutStefano desires formal exams to be reformed, for a extra holistic experienceStefano, 19, is from London and has simply completed his first yr at Warwick College. He enjoys campaigning on completely different points, reminiscent of psychological well being and on 16 yr outdated’s getting the vote.Stefano says this yr has been an opportunity to “make amends for some enjoyable which I wanted to have in earlier years”.A few month earlier than his A-level exams final yr, Stefano says he collapsed in school resulting from burnout.Regardless of having a “supper supportive” community, Stefano says the system and strain of A-levels merely grew to become an excessive amount of.He is seen a marked enchancment this yr, the place at college a few of his exams have been open e book, which he says he has most well-liked to his assessments in school.Stefano is neurodivergent and says this will make the examination interval more difficult.Main as much as outcomes day, he managed his nerves by getting organised with completely different clearing choices and the college’s cellphone quantity, had he wanted them.He says his recommendation for others is to keep in mind that “it is your second”, and in the event you do want to enter faculty or faculty, be sure you’re prepared to try this and have as a lot data beforehand as you’ll be able to.Afterwards, he suggests having individuals round you, irrespective of the outcome.”Go to your neighborhood – whether or not or not it’s your loved ones, your folks or your faculty,” he says.When requested concerning the challenges some younger individuals face due to exams, a authorities spokesperson stated they play an essential function in sustaining a good and trusted {qualifications} system, and that the curriculum and evaluation assessment will “guarantee younger individuals depart training prepared for work, and prepared for all times”.What else can dad and mom and carers do?Stevie Goulding, from Younger Minds, has three prime suggestions for folks and carers on outcomes day.1. Reflection”Begin to discuss outcomes day,” Stevie suggests. “What emotions are there?” She encourages having open conversations about how they want outcomes day to go. Within the lead up, on the day itself and within the days after, Stevie means that reflecting on what you are seeing and listening to can assist to open up conversations along with your youngster.2. ValidationStevie says generally the most effective resolution is to battle the “overriding urge” to start out downside fixing, including that it is actually essential to let that younger individual sit with their feelings, nonetheless they’re feeling.”Validate that, in the event that they’re feeling indignant, annoyed, upset, dissatisfied, all of these issues are completely okay and wonderful to really feel.”3. Reassurance Alongside validation, reassurance is essential on outcomes day, Stevie says. Asking what help they want, what’s going to assist them right now, and what that help would possibly seem like might be actually useful, Stevie provides.And if issues don’t go the best way they’d hoped, allow them to know that not all the pieces must be resolved on the day, and there shall be different choices to discover collectively.Different sources of help embrace: