Modifications and Adaptations for Inclusive Classrooms

1. Modifications and Adaptations for Inclusive Classrooms

2. Inclusive Classroom means… • “… the valuing of diversity within the human community. When inclusive education is fully embraced, we abandon the idea that children have to become “normal” in order to contribute to the world… We begin to look beyond typical ways of becoming valued members of the community, and in doing so, begin to realize the achievable goal of providing all children with an authentic sense of belonging”. (Kunc, 1992)

3. In practice… • A student-centered approach beginning with profiles that help educators appreciate the strengths and challenges of learners with and without disabilities and the individualized accomplishments that can be attained • A curriculum that is rich and accommodating for all students – and when further individualized to meet the needs of a particular learner • A classroom climate that embraces diversity, fosters a sense of social responsibility, and supports positive peer relationships Julie Causton-Theoharis

4. Expectations and Attitudes • A person HAS a disability instead of IS a disability: • That boy HAS autism, instead of IS autistic • Presume competence • Have high expectations • Think about their ABILITIES – have a positive profile for all students

5. Multiple Intelligences • Take the students’ abilities into consideration • Everybody has abilities • Visual/Spatial • Logical/Mathematical • Verbal/Linguistic • Musical/Rhythmic • Bodily/Kinesthetic • Interpersonal/Social • Intrapersonal/Introspective • Naturalistic

6. Personalized Support, Aids or Services (Villa, Thousand & Nevin, 2008) • Environmental • Preferential/planned seating • Physical room arrangement • Concrete definition of areas (carpet squares, tape on floor) • Reduce/minimize distractions • Teach positive rules for use of space

7. Pacing of Instruction • Extended time requirements • Vary activity often • Allow breaks • Omit assignments requiring copying in timed situations • Send additional copy of the text home for summer preview • Provide home set of materials for preview or review

8. Presentation of Subject Matter • Teach to student’s learning style/strength intelligences • Use active, experimental learning • Use specialized curriculum • Record class lectures and discussions to replay later • Use Sign Language and/or total communication • Provide prewritten notes, an outline, or an organizer (e.g. mind map) • Provide copy of classmate’s notes • Use functional and meaningful application of academic skills • Present demonstrations and models

9. Presentation of Subject Matter (cont.) • Use of manipulatives and real objects in mathematics • Highlight critical information or main ideas • Preteach vocabulary • Make and use vocabulary files, or provide vocabulary lists • Reduce the language level of the reading assignment • Use facilitated communication • Use visual organizers/sequences • Use paired reading/writing • Reduce seat time in class or activities • Use diaries or learning logs • Reword/rephrase instructions and questions • Preview and review major concepts in primary language

10. Materials • Limit amount of material on page • Record texts and other class materials • Use study guides and advanced organizers • Use supplementary materials • Provide note-taking assistance • Copy class notes • Scan tests and class notes into computer • Use large print • Use braille material • Use communication book or board • Provide assistive technology and software

11. Assignment Modification • Give directions in small, distinct steps (written/picture/verbal) • Use written backup for oral directions • Use pictures as supplement to oral directions • Lower/Raise difficulty level • Shorten assignments • Read or record directions • Give extra cues or prompts • Allow student to record or type assignments • Adapt worksheets and packets • Use compensatory procedures by providing alternate assignments, when demands of class conflict with students capabilities • Ignore spelling errors/sloppy work • Develop alternative rubrics

12. Self-Management/Follow-Through • Provide pictorial or written daily or weekly schedule • Provide student calendars • Check often for understanding/review • Request parent reinforcement • Have student repeat directions • Teach study skills • Use binders to organize material • Design/write/use long-term assignments timelines • Review and practice in real situations • Plan for generalization by teaching skill in several environments

13. Testing Adaptations • Provide oral instructions and/or read test questions • Use pictorial instructions/questions • Read test to student • Preview language of test questions • Ask questions that have applications in real setting • Administer test individually • Use short answer/multiple choice/short length questions • Extend time frame • Use open-note/open-book tests • Modify format to reduce visual complexity or confusion

14. Social Interaction and Support • Use natural peer support and multiple, rotating peers • Use peer advocacy • Use cooperative group learning • Institute peer tutoring • Structure opportunities for social interaction (e.g. circle of friends) • Focus on social process rather than the end product • Structure shared experiences in school and extracurricular activities • Teach friendship, sharing, and negotiation skills to classmates • Teach social communication skills: Greetings, Conversation, Turn Taking, Sharing, Negotiation

15. Level of Staff Support Consider this after considering all previous strategies • Consultation • Stop-in support (one to three times a week) • Part-time daily support • Team teaching (parallel, supportive, complementary, or co-teaching) • Daily in-class staff support • Total staff support (staff in close proximity) • One-on-one assistance • Specialized personnel support (if indicated, identify time needed)

16. Support • Instructional support assistant • Health care assistant • Behavior assistant • Signing assistant • Nursing • Occupational therapy • Physical therapy • Speech and language therapist • Augmentative communication specialist • Transportation • Counseling • Adaptive physical education • Transition planning • Orientation/mobility • Career counseling

17. To conclude… • “Students do not have to earn their way into the classroom with their behaviors or skills. They are assumed to be full members – perhaps with modifications, adaptations, and extensive support – but they are members nonetheless” (Sapon-Shevin, 2007). • An inclusive school “will have committed leadership, democratic classrooms, reflective teachers, a supportive culture, engaging and relevant curriculum, and responsive instruction” (Kluth, 2003)

18. References • Materials from Dr. Julie Causton-Theoharis courses • Kluth, P. (2003).You are Going to Love This Kid!: Teachin Students With Autism in the Inclusive Classroom. Baltimore: Brookes. • Kunc, N. (1992). The need of belong. Rediscovering Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. • Sapon-Shevin, M. (2007). Widening The Circle: The power of inclusive classroom. Boston: Beacon Press. • Villa, R.; Thousand, J. & Nevin, A. (2008) A Guide to Co-Teaching: Practical Tips for Facilitating Students Learning. Thousands Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.