INSTRUCTIONAL ACCOMMODATIONS FOR
STUDENTS WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES

GENERAL TECHNIQUES

• Present information in small manageable steps
• Rephrase questions both during discussions and on exams
• Teach new materials in concrete ways (give examples)
• Teach organizational skills such as color coding and filing
• Relate new material to student's everyday life
• Discuss and study new vocabulary words before they appear in the instructional material
• Prepare handouts in typewritten form
• Provide frequent feedback
• Experiment with the use of large print
• Provide outlines for lessons on new material
• Prepare students for changes in routines
• Teach students to proofread for each other
• Make frequent eye contact
• Encourage student questions
• Structure activities
• Use graph paper to help with letter spacing in writing
• Set up instructional space away from distractions (away from the door, windows, or heating/air-conditioning units)
• Restate information on test questions in a variety of ways
• Use a sheet of colored transparency to change the contrast between ink and paper on duplicated materials

TO CAPITALIZE ON VISUAL STRENGTHS:

• Use graphics to reinforce learning
• In math, encourage the use of a number line
• Use color coding
• Write directions for assignments
• Use a highlighter to call attention to key words or phrases, especially during testing
• Teach the use of alternative notetaking systems such as outlining, graphing, flow-charting, and diagramming
• Form a mental picture of words or facts to be memorized

TO CAPITALIZE ON AUDITORY STRENGTHS:

• Use Books on Tape from Recordings for the Blind and/or Talking Books from state libraries for the blind
• Encourage students to read along with taped texts
• Use interactive activities during class time
• Use oral testing
• Use oral as well as written directions
• Let students read together aloud
• Ask students to repeat directions orally