Every student learns differently, but some students need extra support for academic, emotional, and social success. This support can take the form of classroom adaptations, which include both accommodations and modifications, and vary for every child. Parents can follow these strategies to get their children the classroom adaptations they need.
- Educate stakeholders. Every educator who interacts with your child will want to help your child achieve success. To do this effectively, each teacher, counselor, and administrator who works with your child should know about your child’s needs. Meet with your child’s teachers, counselors, and administrator to explain specific developmental or educational needs.
- Teachers use information about a child’s needs when they craft their lessons, choose classroom management strategies, and give feedback on progress reports.
- Guidance counselors and other support staff can step in and advocate for a child, share resources for students and parents, and facilitate the creation of an educational plan.
- Administrators often tailor disciplinary choices to a child’s specific situation or needs. Arming them with information regarding a child’s behavioral triggers or motivations helps them make educated, realistic decisions about a child’s behavior.
- Focus on maximizing abilities. Rather than listing all your child’s limitations, discuss what tools or conditions will most likely foster your child’s success. Concentrating on that positive outcome of success keeps the tone positive and shows that you have high expectations for your child.
- State the immediate purpose of each adaptation first, followed by the adaptation. For instance, instead of “My child needs to sit next to you,” say, “My child will focus better if seated close to you.”
- Suggest alternatives and encourage the teacher to choose the one that works best. Indicate strategies that have been successful in the past, and explain why. Remain open to new ideas.
- If you don’t know what adaptations to try, ask the teacher. Educators often have many “tricks up their sleeve” to help students who learn differently.
- Remember that adaptations that worked in elementary school may not be appropriate or feasible for an older student. While a third grader who struggles with organization may feel comfortable asking the teacher to sign a planner each day, a high-school senior could feel singled out by this practice.
- Make it official. By law, if a child has a diagnosed exceptionality, the child is entitled to classroom adaptations as needed. With guidance counselors and teachers draft an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or 504 Plan. Make copies for your own records and for each teacher. Revisit the plan yearly, to evaluate the effectiveness and necessity of each adaptation and to set new goals for the upcoming school year.
- An IEP is required for students who receive special education or related services, including gifted education. It outlines a student’s academic, emotional, and social levels, along with necessary adaptations and educational goals.
- A 504 Plan’s title refers to Section 504 of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which governs inclusion for everyone, regardless of physical or mental differences. It lists necessary adaptations, the purpose of the adaptations, and who is responsible for implementing them. Most students who need adaptations can be served through a 504 Plan.
- Support the people who support your child. Stay active at the school, and show interest in events both inside and outside the classroom. Teachers and administrators appreciate your time and effort, just as much as you appreciate the special energy they put into caring for your child.
- Volunteer to chaperone field trips, be a guest speaker, or help with a fundraiser. Being involved outside the classroom shows that your concern goes beyond just your child.
- Show up at parent-teacher conference night, even if your child is doing fine. Take the time to ask the teacher if the adaptations implemented are still effective, and how you can provide additional support at home.
Parents play a critical role in their children’s academic, emotional, and social growth. By keeping educators informed, focusing on a child’s strengths, creating an official plan, and staying active at school, parents can ensure each child’s success.
The information is provided for general reference purposes. It does not constitute medical or other professional advice and should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your child and adolescent psychiatrist or other physician.
