Accommodation and Modification

The first thing I would like to address here is the difference between an accommodation and modification. An accommodation is a way to help students reach their grade level standards without changing it. A modification is changes the learning outcome, such as changing multi-digit multiplication problems to single digit multiplication. Both are essential for every classroom and should be part of the intervention process. 

Popular Accommodations:

Read-Aloud or Text-to-Speech:
This is when text is read aloud to the student above their independent reading level so they are better able to comprehend grade level texts.
 

Shortened assignments:
When a student needs more processing time or becomes frustrated with an assignment it may need to be shortened. The student is still completing the same level of work as other students but in a much more manageable way. 

Breaks:
Student who have a lot of energy or get easily frustrated may benefit from taking scheduled breaks in the day to relieve some of the pent up energy. Both scheduled and unscheduled breaks should be timed. This is also beneficial as a whole group activity and Go Noodle is a great tool for this. 

Visuals:
Many times students will need visual clues when completing more than two step directions. This will help reduce the need to repeat directions multiple times and therefore reduce your frustration.

Modified Notes:
Students who have processing deficits of any kind will struggle with note taking. Therefore, modified notes such as fill-in-the-blank notes or just a copy of the teachers notes will help students pay attention to the information presented instead of focusing on completing notes. 

Preferential Seating:
Students who have difficulty staying focused or become easily frustrated may benefit from a special seat in the classroom. This could be a quiet area to work or to just take a break from the class. 

A tool I have found very helpful in creating interventions, accommodations, and modifications is Intervention Central.