Checklist: Informal Supports You Can Request for Your Child

This article had some good suggestions about supports for your son/daughter in the classroom, learning environment that you can ask for, even if you don't have a formal IEP or 'plan'. If they are struggling, these tips can offer some assistance while you are waiting for a more formal diagnosis or IEP. 

Supports and Allowances You Might Consider Requesting:

Seating where he learns best. This could be near the teacher’s desk or away from the distraction of doors and windows.

Quick breaks after finishing tasks. He could take a walk to the water fountain.

In-class tools to reduce fidgeting. Your child could hold a squeeze ball. Or his teacher might wrap your child’s chair legs with a latex resistance band for him to kick.

A quiet area for test taking and studying.

Frequent eye contact from your child’s teacher, to keep him engaged.

A cue to quietly keep your child on task. This could be a touch on the shoulder or a sticky note placed on his desk.

A master notebook for all subjects, to help stay organized.

A homework notebook that teacher and parents can sign off on daily.

Key points from the day’s lessons listed on the board.

Use of his own laptop computer for taking notes during class.

Class notes shared by another student.

A routine of checking in with the teacher after class to briefly discuss the lesson.