Tips from Sandra

Environmental Accommodations

Provide preferential seating
Moving student’s desk closer to teacher
Seat near positive role model(s)
Stand near student when giving directions or presenting lessons
Place student near tolerant peer who will be helpful and understanding
Reduce/minimize distractions (visual, auditory, spatial, movement)
Increase distance between desks
Provide study carrel/office area for student
Provide privacy boards/other partitions
Allow student to stand up at desk
Allow student to reverse and straddle chair
Plan student seating (bus, classroom, cafeteria, auditorium)
Provide student with cooling off options (time and space to regroup)
Post key rules
Use of visual/graphic depictions of routines, procedures, steps
Reduce auditory distractions through use of tools (e.g., earphones)
Reduce noise level in room
Experiment with background music at different times of the day and for various activities/purposes
Reduce clutter in environment - especially in direct visual field
Seat away from windows, doors, high traffic areas
Provide student with 2 options of seating (e.g., desk a or b)
Add color to increase focus on work (i.e., colored poster board under student’s work on desk)
Define child’s work space and boundaries (e.g., colored masking tape)
Use eye contact and voice modulation to maintain attention
Avoid interruptions in classroom routine
Establish calm, predictable environment
Increase the structure of the environment
Increase the monitoring and supervision
Increase use of signals to alert students of approaching transitions
Use discreet private signals with the student
Personalize the environment and increase student ownership of environment