Building Strong Voices, Speech Strategies for Social Skills, Self-Regulation and Learning Success

By Amy Vickrey, MSE Once you've completed the preparatory steps and crafted your child's Individualized Education Program (IEP) goals, the next step is to consider the tools necessary for your child to attain those goals. This is where accommodations and modifications play a crucial role.  Accommodations Accommodations are straightforward tools designed to assist your child in working at their level without altering the curriculum. Here are some examples: Time: Providing extra time, an additional day, or breaking up tasks into smaller chunks over several days. Alternative Scheduling: Offering extended deadlines for projects or allowing flexibility in scheduling, provided all tasks are completed. Change of Setting: Providing a quiet workspace for assignments or tests, whether it's outdoors, on a beanbag, or at an easel. Change of Presentation: Altering the method of presenting material, such as using videos, hands-on activities, or specific computer applications. Varying Response Method: Allowing different ways of providing answers, such as orally, while in motion, or through interactive games. Cues and Supports: Providing visual aids like schedules, planners, checklists, grading rubrics, multiplication charts, calculators, or communication boards/apps. (Note: Some states may classify certain items, like calculators or communication boards/apps, as assistive technology.) Modifications Modifications involve adjusting the curriculum to suit the student's needs, often by simplifying or adapting the material: Presentation of Material: Utilizing special education materials or curriculums, such as Simply Classical. Adapted Materials: Simplifying content and vocabulary, reducing the number of vocabulary words introduced, and using leveled or simplified texts, especially in subjects like science or social studies. Grading and Testing Altered: Selectively assessing crucial parts of a lesson instead of the entire content, thus focusing on essential concepts for the learner's understanding. (For strategies on grading, refer to this article.) Considerations Here are some additional factors to consider when selecting accommodations and modifications: Plan to Document: Incorporate documentation of accommodations and modifications into your daily routine by consistently noting what tools are used. Critical Review: Assess the necessity of accommodations and modifications for your child to achieve their goals and reach their potential. Testing Considerations: If testing is required, either voluntarily or mandated by state regulations, ensure awareness of permissible accommodations or modifications aligned with your child's grade level. With careful consideration and implementation of accommodations and modifications, you can support your child's educational journey effectively.

By Peggy Ployhar As the air turns crisp and the world around us takes on a golden hue, it's the perfect time to infuse your homeschool routine with the joys of fall. Pumpkins, apple orchards, corn mazes—these seasonal delights are not only fun but can also be educational. Routine is crucial, especially for our special education homeschooled kids, but a touch of seasonal flair can make learning even more engaging. If you're looking to sprinkle some autumn magic into your homeschool lessons, here are 20 fantastic fall-themed activities. 20 Fall Special Education Homeschooling Activities Fall Candy Science: Explore STEM activities using candy corn. 10 Fall Movement & Sensory Activities: Enjoy a mix of indoor and outdoor sensory activities. Pumpkin Craft for Speech Activities: Engage in crafts that support speech goals. Fall Themed OT Activities: Choose from 30 activities to integrate a fall theme into your home-based occupational therapy. Fall & Thanksgiving Themed Unit Study: Dive into books, crafts, activities, studies, writing projects, and games. Why Do Leaves Change Color Science Project: Teach this simple science lesson with items from your yard and house. Autumn Sensory Story: Create sensory storytelling experiences for children with multiple learning delays or visual impairments. Halloween Social Stories: Access 16 stories and 2 videos to help children navigate Halloween social situations. Fall Lego Building Challenges: Tackle 20 Lego challenges centered around fall. Fall Tree Luminaries Craft: Turn jars into glowing works of art with this easy craft project. Leaf Preservation Ideas: Learn three different methods to preserve beautiful fall leaves. Fall Sight Word Scavenger Hunt: Make reading active with this sight-word scavenger hunt. Scarecrow Alphabet Activity: Enhance letter recognition with a fun scarecrow activity using felt, a die, and stickers. 20 Fall Speech and Language Activities: Discover numerous resources to work on speech and language goals. Fall Leaf I Spy Game: Enjoy a free printable game of Leaf I Spy. 30+ Pumpkin Learning Activities: Utilize pumpkins to teach various learning concepts. 40 Fall Fine Motor Activities: Incorporate the fall theme into fine motor skills practice with this extensive list. Fall Books for Speech Therapy: Use four popular fall books to support speech goals. 41 Pumpkin Writing Prompts: Encourage writing with these pumpkin prompts for your student. Fall Unit Study: Integrate the fall theme into literature, language, art, math, science, and history lessons. For more fall SPED homeschooling ideas, be sure to check out our SPED Homeschool Fall Pinterest Board.  Embrace the season and make your homeschooling experience both educational and enjoyable with these fall-themed activities!