Unlocking Potential: Non-Traditional Teaching Methods for Students with Severe Learning Challenges

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 Sarah Collins, MSOT, OTR/L, from Homeschool OT and Casey Waugh, OTR/L In early 2017, my eight-year-old was hit directly in the eye with a Frisbee. He saw it leave his friend’s hand but didn’t realize it was about to give him a swollen, black-and-blue eye. Around the same time, he asked me, “Mom, how do you read when the words are moving on the page?” As an occupational therapist, I recognized that he wasn’t succeeding in his educational or social goals. It was time to seek help. As homeschoolers, we can tailor our children’s education to their needs, adjusting the pace, curriculum, and environment. However, building a team that includes doctors and therapists can be beneficial. When struggles specifically affect educational performance, a public school IEP can be warranted. 1. What is a Public School IEP? An IEP, or Individualized Education Plan, outlines a special education program to help a student progress and succeed in learning. It’s created for students with disabilities or learning differences that impact their performance socially, behaviorally, or functionally in an academic setting. IEPs are developed by a team that includes educators, parents, and sometimes the student. To receive an IEP, a student must have a disability identified in IDEA (the federal law governing special education) that adversely impacts their academic progress. If you suspect your child has a learning difference, your local school district can conduct a full educational evaluation. We began this process by contacting the Director of Special Education in our school district. A simple email requesting assistance led to scheduled testing within 60 days. My son spent three half-days at the school with a psychologist and occupational therapist for standardized reading, comprehension, and motor testing. 2. Why Would a Homeschooled Child Need a Public School IEP? If your child struggles to progress despite schedule changes, movement breaks, curriculum adjustments, and pairing motivating subjects with challenging ones, an IEP might be helpful. A thorough educational evaluation can determine if there’s an underlying reason, like a specific learning disability or processing concern, for your child’s struggles. Evaluations may include input from other professionals, such as occupational therapists. If an IEP is deemed appropriate, services might be provided at home or at a public school. For our son, the diagnosis was “reading delay, unspecified,” indicating he was behind his peers without a specific reason identified. The school recommended testing accommodations, dual enrollment for Wilson Reading System instruction, and monthly OT sessions. For us, the most important part was securing testing accommodations for future exams like the SAT or ACT. 3. If a Homeschooled Child Has a Public School IEP, What is the School’s Responsibility? Under federal law, school districts must evaluate and identify children with disabilities and develop IEPs for those in need, including homeschooled children. However, the way services are offered varies by state. Some states consider homeschooling a “private school,” which affects the support plan. In our case, we declined certain services as we felt we could provide equivalent instruction at home based on my expertise as an OT. 4. If a Homeschooled Child Has a Public School IEP, What is the Parents’ Responsibility? Parents play a crucial role in the IEP team, particularly in homeschooling. You can adjust accommodations and modifications to meet your child’s needs without going through the school. Depending on your state, there may be specific requirements for tracking and recording information and completing assessments. An IEP is reviewed annually, but you can ask questions or request changes at any time. It’s helpful to organize your data and list major concerns before meetings. Since our son’s assessment provided a diagnosis and recommendations, Pennsylvania law requires us to use a homeschool evaluator with a special education background. She reviews our goals each year and provides a written assessment, which has been helpful for us. 5. What Should a Homeschool Parent Expect at an IEP Meeting? IEP meetings involve the entire team to develop an education plan for your child. Meetings typically last at least an hour and include special education and general education teachers, a school district representative, someone to interpret evaluation results, and any related service providers. You should receive a draft IEP ahead of the meeting. The draft can be adjusted, allowing the meeting to focus on problem-solving and addressing major concerns. IEPs can be revised throughout the year if needed. As an OT and homeschool parent, I’ve experienced IEP meetings from both sides. A few surprises included: A general education teacher who didn’t know my son had to be present because the law requires it. Special education services with specific time requirements, despite our different educational setting. Getting an IEP can provide valuable information for developing home education plans and accessing services and accommodations. Author Bios: Sarah Collins, MSOT, OTR/L is an occupational therapist with experience in pediatrics and home health, and a homeschooling parent. She founded Collins Academy Therapy Services, aka HomeschoolOT, to educate parents on creating homeschools designed for students' needs and to train occupational therapists to serve the homeschool community. Find Sarah online at Homeschool OT, on Instagram, and in her Facebook group. Casey Waugh, OTR/L is an occupational therapist from Pittsburgh, PA, specializing in feeding, sensory processing, and parent education. She provides individualized supports for parents of children with sensory differences and helps navigate the special education process as a Master IEP Coach. Find her on social media @ottimewithcasey