Dyslexia: Accommodations/Modifications
From ESC Region 10
Listed below are accommodations/modifications for the §504 or Admission, Review, Dismissal (ARD) Committee to consider for a student with dyslexia/reading disabilities:
Textbooks and Curriculum
Books/Reading
- Provide audiotapes/CDs of textbooks and have student follow the text while listening
- Provide summaries of chapters
- Use marker or highlighting tape to highlight important textbook sections
- Assign peer reading buddies
- Use colored transparency or overlay
- Review vocabulary prior to reading
- Provide preview questions
- Use videos/filmstrips related to the readings
- Provide a one-page summary and/or a review of important facts
- Do not require student to read aloud
- Talk through the material one-to-one after reading assignments
Curriculum
- Shorten assignments to focus on mastery of key concepts
- Shorten spelling tests to focus on mastering the most functional words
- Substitute alternatives for written assignments (posters, oral/taped or video presentations, projects, collages, etc.)
Classroom Environment
- Provide a computer for written work
- Seat student close to teacher in order to monitor understanding
- Provide quiet during intense learning times
Instruction and Assignments
Directions
- Give directions in small steps and with as few words as possible
- Break complex direction into small steps—arrange in a vertical list format
- Read written directions to student, then model/demonstrate
- Accompany oral directions with visual clues
- Use both oral and written directions
- Ask student to repeat; check for understanding
Writing
- Use worksheets that require minimal writing
- Provide a “designated note taker;” photocopy another student’s or teacher’s notes
- Provide a print outline with videotapes and filmstrips
- Allow student to use a keyboard when appropriate
- Allow student to respond orally
- Grade only for content not spelling or handwriting
- Have student focus on a single aspect of a writing assignment (elaboration, voice, etc.)
- Allow student to dictate answer to essay questions
- Reduce copying tasks
- Reduce written work
Math
- Allow student to use a calculator without penalty
- Use visuals and concrete examples
- Use grid paper to help correctly line up math problems
- Present information in small increments and at a slower pace
- Take time to reteach if student is struggling to understand
- Read story problems aloud
- Break problems into smaller steps
Grading
- Provide opportunity to test orally
- Allow student to type responses
- Read test to student
- Evaluate oral performances more than written
- Avoid penalizing for spelling errors, reversals, etc.
Testing
- Go over directions orally
- Permit as much time as needed to complete tests; avoid timed testing
- Read test materials and allow oral responses
- Separate content from mechanics/conventions grade
- Provide typed test materials, not tests written in cursive
- Allow student to respond on tape, with a typewriter, or by dictating answers to a tutor for assessment
- Allow tests to be taken in a room with few distractions
Homework
- Reduce reading assignments
- Accept work dictated by student to a parent/tutor
- Limit amount of time to spend on homework; have parents verify time spent on assignments
