Discussing Autism

When we talk about IEPs, or Individualized Education Plans, we are not just talking about goals and benchmarks that your child needs to meet (and that the teacher needs to teach to) but we are also talking about accommodations that the IEP teams needs to make to ensure that your child meets those goals and state benchmarks.

When creating an IEP the entire team must evaluate all types of 7. accommodations that your child might need in order to be successful.

Accommodations are: adjustments to make sure kids have equal access to curriculum and a way to be successful.
An accommodation is a teaching support or service that a student NEEDS to be successful and addresses HOW a student will learn.

That said, what are some ways that special needs children can have accommodations on an IEP?

1. decrease quantity of items per task
2. provide two sets of textbooks and/or materials (one for school and one for home).
3. repeat directions
4. give short and simple directions and/or stand near student/touch student when giving instructions
5. sensory motor integration may necessitate reduced quantity and speed
6. provide copies of notes and/or use visual aids with presentations
7. allow use of calculator
8. sit near the teacher
9. sit in a low distraction area
10. use a study carrel or face a blank wall
11. allow tape recorder of lesson
12. use high impact game/physical activity
13. untimed work and/or testing
14. oral work and/or testing
15. sensory breaks
16. large type and formatting simple, dark ink, buff color instead of white, no distractions, etc.
17. PM study halls and AM check-ins for organization.
18. Training in organization, time management, study skills, taking tests, Sensory regulation, Note taking, etc.
19. Weekly or daily progress reports, daily and/or weekly assignment sheets
20. Base grades on IEP objectives, achievements or correct answers, not incorrect ones.

What is important to note here is that accommodations do not change knowledge content and what the classroom (and your child) is learning. IDEA specifically states that accommodations give the child access to the same knowledge by whatever means necessary and that by allowing them accommodations they have they have the same chance to learn as the person next to them (if they chose to take it).

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