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.

Unlock new possibilities in your homeschool journey with our comprehensive downloadable PDF, featuring 50+ websites that provide free enrichment curriculum resources designed to support students who struggle with learning. Whether your child faces challenges with grasping foundational concepts or needs additional opportunities for growth, this guide is packed with diverse content to help you create engaging, tailored lessons that cater to their unique needs. What You’ll Find in This Download: This resource is carefully curated to offer a variety of enrichment activities across multiple subject areas, from math and reading to science, history, arts, and more. Each of the 50+ websites included in this guide offers high-quality, free content that is easy to access and implement into your existing homeschool curriculum. With links to interactive lessons, videos, games, and hands-on projects, these resources can help you create a dynamic learning environment where your child can thrive. How to Use These Resources for Unique Learners: Teaching students who struggle with learning requires creativity and flexibility. The resources in this PDF are not just designed for traditional learners—they are perfect for helping unique learners explore new ways of understanding concepts. Here’s how you can get the most out of them: Break Down Complex Concepts: Many students struggle to grasp basic concepts when taught in a single, standard method. The interactive resources in this download offers multiple ways to explain key ideas, allowing you to break down lessons into smaller, more manageable steps that align with your child’s learning style. Create a Multi-Sensory Learning Environment: Many of the websites listed offer hands-on projects, videos, and interactive exercises. These multi-sensory approaches can help children engage with the material in a way that makes it easier for them to retain and apply what they’ve learned. Expand Beyond Core Subjects: Struggling learners often need more than just a focus on core subjects like math and reading. This download includes resources for enriching your homeschool with art, music, science experiments, and more, helping to foster a well-rounded education that engages your child’s interests and strengths. Encourage Independence: Many of the resources in this guide are self-paced and interactive, encouraging children to take ownership of their learning. This can be especially helpful for students who struggle with attention or who need to build confidence in their abilities. Supplement Your Current Curriculum: Whether you are using a structured curriculum or a more relaxed homeschooling approach, these enrichment websites can serve as the perfect supplement. They offer creative ways to reinforce what your child is already learning while keeping them engaged and motivated. Perfect for a Wide Range of Learning Needs: This resource is ideal for parents of children with diverse learning needs, including those with learning disabilities, ADHD, autism, or other challenges. The variety of approaches represented ensures that there is something for everyone, from visual and auditory learners to those who need tactile or kinesthetic activities to fully grasp concepts. Supporting a Lifelong Love of Learning: By integrating these enrichment resources into your homeschool, you can go beyond traditional teaching methods and offer your child a more personalized, engaging education. With the flexibility to explore a wide range of subjects and activities, you’ll be fostering a lifelong love of learning in your child, giving them the tools they need to succeed, no matter their challenges. Download your free copy of this comprehensive resource today and start enhancing your homeschool with these powerful tools designed to help your child not only catch up but excel in their education! Looking for more curriculum help? Check out these articles on how to meet your child's unique needs at home: Unlocking Your Child's Potential: Beyond Traditional Curriculum Solutions (spedhomeschool.com) Adapting Math Curriculum for Special Needs Learners (spedhomeschool.com) Where to Turn When Curriculum Isn't Helping (spedhomeschool.com) Transforming Learning: The Power of Healing Teaching (spedhomeschool.com) Supplements 101 (spedhomeschool.com) Understanding the Four Learning Gates: Making Learning Easier for Struggling Learners (spedhomeschool.com) Striking the Right Homeschooling Balance: When to Modify and When to Remove (spedhomeschool.com)