i am wondering if i need to ask for something in his newIEP to help with test taking.
even just to be made very aware it is a test and importance of paying attention and focusing etc, important for all class to know, yes- but my DS6 when in group setting doesn't always "hear" what others hear, possibly a processing thing? but also his pragmatics, if he doesn't hear something correctly, he doesn't know to ask for clarification and just typically wings everything-- he usually has always been able to figure things out this way--- (this is where his smarts have helped him with/overcome autism!) BUT in tests- he cannot use this method effectively.
I would work hard to remediate the autism; the issues you identify are both social (knowing what's expected of him) and organizational (knowing to follow directions and ask questions). These are all basic skills that you want to be building in all areas of his life.
Giving accommodations on tests will just conceal whether or not he's making progress on those goals.
DeeDee
