Resources for Students with Learning Differences

Accommodation

Definition

Example (s)

Allow movement/breaks 

Allow student to have frequent movement breaks to help with attention/focus 

Timer 

Brain Breaks, such as https://www.gonoodle.com/ 

First/then statements (e.g., “first complete [insert task], then you may [insert reward]”) 

Calculator 

A small electronic device used to make mathematical calculations using a keyboard and visual display.  

Calculator on phone, computer, tablet, or handheld calculator 

Check for Understanding 

A periodic check of student understanding 

Checking student’s work to ensure he/she is understanding the material or asking if the student has any questions about the content 

Chunking/Segmenting Assignment 

Break assignments into smaller sections 

Have students complete 5 problems at a time instead of the entire assignment at one time. 

Grid or Lined Paper 

Paper with built in spacing to help organize and solve math problems such as long division, decimals, and fractions. 

Grid paper 

Highlight Key Words/ Points 

Highlight or underline keywords/points within the text to maximize understanding  

Highlight clue words indicating the task the directions are asking them to do.

Math -highlight key words that indicate the needed operation(s).   

Reading -highlight clue words for the task the questions are asking them to do. 

Math Manipulatives 

Any small objects used to help student solve math problems 

Cereal, Coins, Blocks, Crayons,

Skittles 

Quiet Location 

To ensure focus, ensure the student has a quiet location to work. 

Student works away from environmental distractions such as TV, siblings, center of the home 

Redirection 

Prompting to refocus attention to the current task.  

“You’ve been doing a great job, let’s keep working” 

Repetition/Rephrasing 

Rephrase/Reword the question or directions in a way that students can understand 

Repeat the directions or questions as needed for task completion 

Simplify or re-explain the directions by Using language at the level of a child’s understanding.  

Take unnecessary words out of questions or directions to simplify 

Rewards and Reinforcers 

Provide a reward to reinforce good choices upon completion of tasks or a specified number of tasks. 

Student chooses their favorite activity,  

Stickers, Star on paper, Positive reinforcement (nice work) 

Scribe 

A person will write a student’s answer as they dictate it, word-for-word. 

If your child states “the boy runned at the park” you will write the answer exactly as they stated it. *Do not correct grammar* 

Speech to Text 

Students can talk while the software will type what they say. Remember to say punctuation marks ex. “period” 

Google Voice Typing 

Text to Speech 

Software will read the text on the screen 

Human Reader 

Google Read & Write(extension) 

Visual Aids 

Visuals such as pictures, charts, or drawings that help students complete a task. 

Multiplication Chart 

100s Chart 

Graphic Organizers 

Task Strips 

Checklist 

Word Processor 

Any technology that can be used to type a response 

Google Docs 

Microsoft Word 

Chrome Extensions for Struggling Students and Special Needs