Accommodation or Modification?
A fidget to help a student concentrate is an example of...
An accomodation
A SEA funded Chromebook is _____ accommodation.
High Tech
As defined by Assistive Technology for Students with Learning Disabilities - LD@school
Laurence is on the autism spectrum. Loud sounds and overlapping noises are a major trigger for her. What are some accommodations you can make to help her be successful in the classroom?
-Noise cancelling headphones
-Working with music
-Preferred/strategic seating
-Alternative spaces
-Quiet work space
-And more
What are some accommodations you have used in the past for students who were struggling that had a major impact?
Individual answers
According to Learning for All, what document is a foundational piece to help understand a student?
The OSR
Paul, in grade 6, cannot complete grade 6 material. He is working on the grade 4 math as prescribed by his IEP. This is a...
Modification
A calculator
Med:
As defined by Assistive Technology for Students with Learning Disabilities - LD@school
Oliver has hearing difficulties. He doesn't need direct hearing assistance, but he can often lose instruction or focus when he can't quite hear his teacher or peers. His parents are highly resistant to him being pulled from class for any reason.
-Proximity to instructor
-Repetition of instructions
-Visual schedule
-Visual instructions
-Frequent reminders
-Written instructions
-Alternative/quiet setting are NOT accepted answers
What is an area of exceptionalities where you don't have a lot of experience that you would like to learn more about?
Mine is identifying and researching hearing and visual exceptionalities.
Who else can you ask if you are unsure about how to help a student?
Parents
Former teachers
Colleagues
Coaches/Itinerant EAs
Administration
LRT/LST/ISST
Community partners/care team
Any others not included in Learning for All?
Oscar doesn't like handwriting, although he can do it. He will often refuse to complete long assignments with handwriting. Allowing him to occasionally use a computer to complete assignments is...
An accomodation
Graphic organizer
Med:
As defined by Assistive Technology for Students with Learning Disabilities - LD@school
Jaining is visually impaired. However, she is also desperate to not stand out and has major anxiety about sitting at the front of the class. She does not like wearing glasses, but says she can't see the board from the back of the class.
-Written instructions
-Repetition of instructions
-Visual schedule
-Visual instructions
What is a goal you have for creating IEPs in the future?
I want to do more parent consultation and have meetings, especially at the start of the year, to get off on the right foot.
According to Learning for All, what is the first step of developing an IEP?
Gathering information
Maryam has trouble hearing. She has cochlear implants that help her hear, but she needs to read lips to help her supplement her understanding of instructions. Sitting Maryam at the front is an...
Accomodation
Pencil grip
Low:
As defined by Assistive Technology for Students with Learning Disabilities - LD@school
Daniel has ADHD, but gets too distracted by fidgets and often plays with them or distracts others. What can you do?
-Textured stickers
-Alternative seating (Rocking chair/wobble stool)
-Frequent breaks
(Other answers welcome!)
What's a sneaky free resource you have that has made a difference for students?
Mine is the entire UFLI catalogue, for FREE:UFLI Foundations | U F Literacy Institute
What other sources for academic gaps does Learning for All suggest?
Academic
Behavioural
Cognitive
Emotional
Social
Physical
Janna has a learning disability which has delayed her language development. In third grade in her first language, her IEP states she should practice learning letter sounds. This is an example of...
A modification
A notepad
Low:
As defined by Assistive Technology for Students with Learning Disabilities - LD@school
Rahim is a very bright student with ASD. He can perform at grade level, but every pencil you give him is chewed through. He will often eat the graphite as well and has complained of stomach problems. Parents know and are working with OTs.
-Silicon chew fidget
-Rubber/stretchy pencil
-Computer options
-And more!
What is a resource or piece of equipment would you think would make the biggest difference?
More effective headphones is my example. Many students have a hard time using speech to text effectively if there is background noise and the microphone can pick it up. More effective mics would be a gamechanger for many!
What resources of the following lists are online AND free to use?
UFLI, Writing Without Tears, Google Read and Write, and many more!
All of the above!