Impulsive behavior. Incomplete homework. Inconsistent focus. Whatever your child’s school challenges, these teacher-approved accommodations can put some real muscle behind his 504 Plan and put the attention back on learning.
Manage Impulsivity in the Classroom
Many children with attention deficit disorder (ADHD or ADD) struggle with impulsivity and self-control. If your child speaks out of turn at school:
· Seat him front and center, near the teacher, and away from distractions
· Discuss the behavior in private rather than calling him out in front of the class
· Have him sit next to a well-behaved role model
· Increase the distance between desks, if possible
· For younger students, mark an area with tape around the desk where they can move freely
Help for Half-Done or Incomplete Assignments
ADHD also walks hand-in-hand with executive function deficits, which impact a student's ability to plan, execute, and complete his/her work. If your child's grades are suffering due to unfinished work:
· Allow extra time to complete assigned work
· Break long assignments into smaller segments, each with a deadline
· Shorten assignments or work periods
· Pair written instructions with oral instructions
· Set a timer for 10-minute intervals and have them show the teacher their work
Help Classroom Focus
If your child doesn’t participate, drifts off when taking notes, or turns in work with mistakes:
· Listen with a copy of the teacher's notes to which they can add
· Arrange to get additional notes from another designated student
· Have the teacher ask questions to encourage participation
· Enlist the student to help present the lesson
· Cue him to stay on task with a private signal — a gentle tap on the shoulder
· Schedule a five-minute period for him to check over work before turning in assignments
End Disruptive Classroom Behavior
If your child is disrupting other students' learning:
· Ask the teacher to ignore minor inappropriate behavior
· Allow the student to use a pre-approved fidget
· Designate a place in advance where he/she can calm down or speak with the teacher
· Adjust assignments so that they are not too long or too hard
· Develop a behavior contract with the student and parents
Help a Daydreamer Focus
If your child is inattentive:
· Have the teacher use clear verbal signals, such as “Freeze,” "This is important,” or “One, two, three… eyes on me”
· Allow the student to earn the right to daydream for 5-10 minutes after completing her assignment
· Use a flashlight or a laser pointer to illuminate objects or words to pay attention to
· Illustrate vocabulary words and science concepts with small drawings or stick figures
Settle Fidgety, Restless Behaviors
If your child taps his foot or pencil nervously in class or gets up out of his seat a lot:
· Allow him to run errands, to hand out papers to students, clean off bookshelves, or to stand at times while working
· Give him a fidget toy in class to increase concentration
· Slot in short exercise breaks between assignments
· Give him a standing desk or an air-filled rubber disk to sit on so he can wiggle around
Keep Track of Homework and Books
If your child forgets to bring home homework assignments or books, return papers to school, or to put his name on his paper:
· Use an assignment notebook/student planner
· Allow students to dictate assignments into a Memo Minder, a small three-minute tape recorder, or their phone
· Allow students to take a photo their assignment using a phone, iPad, or Chromebook
· Staple the teacher’s weekly lesson plan in the student’s planner
· Reduce the number of papers that are sent home to be signed
· Appoint monitors to make sure that students write down homework assignments
· Allow student to keep a second set of books at home
Put Time on His/her Side
If your child has trouble with due dates and deadlines:
· Give advanced notice about upcoming projects and report
· Stand next to the student to make sure that the assigned task is begun quickly
· Present all assignments and due dates verbally and visually
· Use timers to mark transitions - putting materials away before starting a new project
Expand His Social Network
If your child is clueless about social cues, doesn’t work well with others, or isn’t respected by peers:
· Set up social-behavior goals with her and implement a reward program
· Request that the school establish a social skills group
· Encourage cooperative learning tasks
· Assign her special responsibilities or a leadership role
· Compliment positive behavior and work
· Acknowledge appropriate behavior and good work frequently
Take the Fear Out of Writing
If your child is challenged by written assignments:
· Allow more time for written assignments and essay questions
· Shorten reports or assignments
· Allow students to print; don’t require cursive writing
· Allow the option of a recorded or oral report in lieu of writing
· Encourage students to use a computer for written work
· Allow the use of spell check and grammar check software
Reduce Math Anxiety
If your child does not finish math tests, is slow to finish homework, or has problems with multi-step problems:
· Photocopy pages for students so they do not have to rewrite math problems
· Keep sample math problems on the board
· Allow use of a calculator for class and homework
· Give review summaries for math exams
· Give extended time on tests
Sample Letter Requesting a Section 504 Plan
Parents name (Address)
(Phone number) (Date)
Principal’s name (Address)
Special Education Director’s name (Address)
Superintendent’s name (Address)
Dear Educators and Administrators,
We are the parents of (Student's name), who attends (School's name) and is in the (Student's grade level). (Student's name) has recently been diagnosed with (List diagnosis), that directly impacts his educational performance and needs. Though the school and teachers have attempted to address some areas of concern, Student's name) continues to have difficulties, as many of the interventions have been unsuccessful. (Student's name) is making limited progress and as a result is experiencing increased frustration.
To address our concerns we are requesting that (Student's name) be considered for an accommodation plan pursuant to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.
Thank you in advance for your collaborative efforts to provide our (Daughter/Son) with an appropriate and quality education. We look forward to hearing from you and working with you and your staff to ensure a successful educational experience for (Student's name).
Sincerely,
(Parents name)
