I touched briefly on assessments the other day, but I wanted to recap. Parents, please, please, please, check to make sure your child is receiving their accommodations. In elementary school, it should be provided for them automatically, but as they get older, they are expected to request them. As a special education teacher, I have always made sure students have gotten their accommodations and have reminded them to ask for them.
Often, as they are aging, they feel embarrassed when asking for accommodations. I try to remind them that without their accommodations certain things do disappear. Extra time and breaks are two accommodations most students receive. Students usually will figure out that they really do need them and want them.
Accommodations may include:
Presentation:
– oral presentation with text read out to student
-directions repeated clarified or summarized
-student to demonstrate understanding by repeating directions
-verbal encouragement
response:
-periodic checks to check for understanding
-gridded paper for math
-dictation of responses to an audio recorder
scheduling:
– allow extended time
-frequent breaks
setting:
– reduce stimuli,
-preferential seating
-small group instruction -headphones
-lighting movement
-familiar place
-familiar person