- Larger Print
If students have a disability in reading, are
visually impaired or have any other disability, by simply
enlarging the print you can reduce their stress level and
give them the necessary confidence to attempt the
assignment.
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- Enlarged Answer Space
This adaptation works for students with both physical
disabilities or learning disabilities. Whereas
non-disabled students learned handwriting, disabled students
may not be able to fit answers in a regular answer space.
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- Reduce the workload
If the assignment has 20 questions, perhaps reduce
the number of questions to an essential 10. This will
maximize the likely hood that a students can complete the
assignment in the time allotted.
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- Peer tutor
This will not only benefit the regular ed student and
the special ed student academically, but it will also allow
the opportunity for some social skills to be developed on
both parts. Often we learn better from our peers!
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- Room arrangement/student seating
If you have a student with ADHD, it would not be
advantageous to seat that students by a window or door.
Place them more towards the front where they can focus on
you the teacher.
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- Modify your teaching style
Be flexible, don't get in a rut. By varying the
way that you teach it not only keeps you fresh and excited
about teaching, it also gives the students "ownership" of
their education.
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Teacher Vision
This site has suggestions for adaptations/modifications for
all grades. You can search by subject, grade level,
obtains sample lessons, get ideas on class room management,
and most beneficial subscribe to newsletters!
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Education Oasis
This site gives you suggested adaptations to make depending
on exactly what the student is having difficulty with. For example: if the students
has difficulty expressing themselves verbally, then try....
and it goes on to tell you what to do to help this student
be successful.
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- Proximity
Simply making your presence known to a student
helps relieve some anxiety. Make arrangements with
students that you won't put them on the spot, but that if
you are standing near them to be prepared to be asked a
question. This allows the students to become involved
in the class without being uncomfortable.
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- Student contracts
These documents can be used with any student disabled or
non-disabled, however prove to be very powerful for students
with emotional/behavioral disorders. The contract
allows the student to assume responsibility for their
actions and determine the appropriate consequences. It
is important to be followed through by the
teacher/administrator.
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- Be Flexible
As a teacher we all need to set high standards for our
students and make sure that we maintain the same level of
"fairness" (remember: fairness is not equal it is based on
student needs). With that in mind all students can
have the same expectations, except as a teacher you need to
be flexible in your dealing with students with disabilities.
Just because they didn't meet the expected standards at the
same time as the other students doesn't mean they aren't
attempting to meet them.
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- Assistive Technologies
Any form of technology that will assist the students
with learning certain skills. This could consist of
computer usage with special software such as (zoom text,
jaws - for the visually impaired). The goal of these
technologies is "to increase, maintain, or improve the
functional capabilities of a child with disabilities"
(Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals with
Disabilities Act, 20 U.S.C. 1401 [1]).
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