There are several strategies that a special education teacher can implement in the classroom to help students who have special needs. It is better to use a multi-modal approach to assist visual, kinesthetic, tactile, and auditory learners.

Classroom Environment

• Make the student sit in a place where there are no distractions.
• Reduce the number of visual distractions.
• Remove unnecessary things from the pupil’s desk, so there is less distraction.
• Whenever necessary, provide a study carrel to the student.
• Keep extra pens, pencils, paper, and books in the room.
• Provide a checklist so that the student can stay organized.
• Decide a cue to indicate that the student can leave the room.
• If necessary, allow the student to have frequent breaks.

Behavior

• Offer a suitable peer role model.
• Avoid power struggles and confrontations.
• Decide on a safe place where the student may go.
• Modify the rules that are not suitable for students with neurological disorders.
• If the class is not disturbed by particular attention-seeking behavior, ignore it.
• Develop some signs or codes to make the student aware that their behavior is not right.
• Make a code of conduct for the classroom. Display it so that all the students know about it.
• Provide instant reinforcement and feedback.
• Develop a realistic behavior intervention plan.

Presentation of Study Materials

• Provide alternative assignments instead of lengthy written assignments.
• Break down the assignments into shorter tasks.
• Break the lengthy assignments into short sequential steps and monitor each step.
• Modify expectations according to the student’s needs.
• If possible, provide verbal and written directions with visuals.
• Provide a sample of the final product.
• In every task, number and arrange the steps in a sequence.
• Highlight the key points when you give written directions for an assignment to make the student focus on them.
• Provide study guides, outlines, and copies of class notes.
• Before you begin a lesson, make sure the student is attentive and explain the learning expectations.
• Allow them to use computers, calculators, tape recorders, and dictation.
• Check the homework assignments and sign them. Also, ask the parents to sign them.

Time Management

• Let them work for a short period, then give them a break.
• Fix a place for submitting assignments.
• Give extra time to complete their assignments and homework.
• Give several reminders before you change to another activity.

Assessment and Grading

• If possible, exempt them from district level testing.
• Let them sit in a quiet place while writing a test.
• Allow them to give oral responses.
• Break down the test into short sections.
• Give them sufficient time according to their need to complete the test.
• Grade the spelling and content separately.
• Change the amount of work needed for passing.
• As far as possible, do not give a time test.
• Allow them to retake the test.

Conclusion

It is a challenging task to teach in a classroom full of students with special needs. However, if you implement the strategies listed above, you can offer a suitable learning environment for all the students irrespective of their learning aptitude.