A Guide to Classroom Adjustments for Students With Special Needs

Under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), schools are required to make reasonable adjustments to ensure that special needs students are able to participate in ‘rigorous, meaningful and dignified learning.’ This applies to physical, cognitive and learning disabilities.

The obligation of educators to make reasonable adjustments applies across the whole education system, from preschool to university. Reasonable adjustments balance students’ needs with those of educators and other students.

The types of special needs adjustments required are usually determined by the school Learning and Support Team in consultation with teachers, parents and professionals.

Parents play a significant role in this process because they have an in-depth knowledge of their child’s requirements and skills. For this reason, it’s vital that parents have a thorough understanding of the adjustments available so they can ensure their student is receiving the best education possible.

Types of Classroom Adjustments

Instructional Adjustments

Teachers have a great deal of flexibility in deciding what methods to use to deliver lessons. There are many options for modifying lessons to meet the needs of all students.

Instructional adjustments include:

Course materials in braille
Worksheets and other learning materials in enlarged text or on coloured paper
Captioned audio-visual materials
Use of an FM microphone
Specialised services, such as a notetaker
Providing lesson materials in advance
Recorded lessons for students to watch or listen to at home
Illustrated learning materials
Simplified texts
Additional modelling and guided practice

Environmental Adjustments

Environmental adjustments refer to modifications made to the physical school environment to assist special needs students. Alterations need to be made in the classroom as well as other commonly used areas such as the library and sporting fields.

Environmental adjustments include:

Ramps, railings and lifts to assist with mobility
Specialised lighting
Lever taps in bathrooms and other wet areas
Modified computer equipment
Augmented communication systems
Relocating classes to more accessible spaces
Rearrangement of classroom furniture to provide easy access
Seating arrangements that help with mobility and concentration

Assessment Adjustments

Adjustments to assessment tasks are often required to ensure special needs students are provided with equal opportunities to demonstrate their skills and knowledge. The goal is to even the playing field, not provide the student with an unfair advantage.

Assessment task adjustments include:

Providing a range of options for students to choose from, such as a speech, video presentation or practical demonstration
Allowing oral instead of written answers in an exam
Use of speech recognition software, smart pens and other assistive technology for assessments and exams
Extended deadlines
Additional reading time
Alternative step-by-step instructions for assessments and practical tasks
Provision of a reader and/or writer in exams
Recorded oral feedback rather than written feedback

How a Tutor Can Help Special Needs Students

A study by the Center of Parent Information and Resources found that one-on-one tutoring has profound benefits for students with special learning needs. A tutor provides tools and personalised attention to help exceptional students succeed.

At Tutor Doctor we ensure that our customised learning plans are aligned with classroom support programmes to give students the best outcomes. Tutors are handpicked to meet the specific needs of each student.