Here is a comprehensive list of common IEP accommodations and classroom supports that can help your child thrive. These strategies can be included in an IEP or 504 Plan—or simply used by teachers to better support your child’s learning needs.

IEP Accommodations for Students With Learning Disabilities

• Give directions orally and repeat or paraphrase them
• Let the student restate directions to confirm understanding
• Present materials in smaller chunks
• Highlight key parts of assignments
• Use examples or models of completed work
• Offer glossaries or reading guides
• Allow verbal responses (talk-to-text, scribe, or recording)
• Allow responses on a computer
• Permit calculator use on math tasks
• Provide audio versions of text
• Assign a reader when needed
• Provide textbooks and materials for home use
• Reduce the number of problems per page
• Reduce homework
• Order problems from easy to hard
• Provide preferred seating
• Use study carrels
• Include visuals with verbal info
• Add extra cues or prompts
• Block out unnecessary information on classwork
• Allow frequent breaks (e.g., every 5 minutes)
• Give extra time for in-class assignments
• Check in regularly to help the student stay on task

IEP Accommodations for Testing

• Let students write directly in the test booklet
• Allow breaks during testing (e.g., every 10 minutes)
• Extend testing time (e.g., by 60 minutes or double time)
• Allow untimed testing
• Test in a separate location
• Test in small groups (fewer than 10 students)
• Offer one-on-one testing
• Split the test into multiple sessions or days
• Let students take sub-tests in a different order
• Schedule tests at a specific time of day
• Provide extra paper or space for responses
• Offer choice of test format when possible
• Allow open-book or open-note tests
• Highlight key directions
• Give a study guide before the test
• Read the test or directions aloud
• Preview test procedures beforehand
• Rephrase or simplify wording and directions

IEP Accommodations for Students With ADHD

• Use an assignment book or calendar for organization
• Allow flexible deadlines for assignments
• Provide checklists to stay organized
• Use desk or table dividers to support focus
• Allow revisions or corrections on assignments
• Give extra time to process information
• Support desk organization
• Use reminders and cues for time management
• Give immediate feedback
• Seat students near positive peer models
• Reduce repetitive tasks once skills are mastered
• Break tasks into smaller steps
• Use a visual timer during work time
• Offer frequent and movement breaks
• Provide tools like colored folders to support organization
• Give clear, positive feedback for expected behavior

IEP Accommodations for Students With Dyslexia

• Provide audiobooks
• Clarify or simplify written directions
• Highlight directions on worksheets and assignments
• Provide guided notes
• Share printed notes before the lesson
• Highlight key information in readings or textbooks
• Offer study sheets
• Provide teacher-created notes
• Post visuals in the classroom
• Use large print for handouts and texts
• Provide text-to-speech software
• Pre-teach new concepts and vocabulary
• Use advance organizers to support lesson flow
• Read instructions out loud
• Break down instructions step-by-step
• Check in frequently to monitor progress
• Organize work from easiest to hardest
• Exclude reading fluency from grading

IEP Accommodations for Students With Dysgraphia

• Provide guided or pre-copied notes
• Offer graphic organizers for note-taking and organization
• Give choices for how the student presents information
• Provide extra space for writing responses
• Allow use of a whiteboard or tablet writing app
• Use specific types of writing paper to support handwriting
• Let the student complete writing assignments early
• Permit typing of assignments
• Exclude “neatness” or “handwriting” from grading
• Provide worksheets with all problems pre-written
• Offer model/reference sheets for letter formation
• Allow use of a spellchecker
• Do not grade spelling on handwritten assignments
• Permit turning paper sideways for math assignments
• Provide pencil grips
• Allow use of different colors for writing

IEP Accommodations for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder

• Provide visual supports (e.g., schedules, checklists, first-then strips)
• Limit oral language when giving directions
• Use reinforcements (e.g., token board)
• Pair verbal directions with visuals
• Provide social stories and supports
• Offer an organization system
• Limit classroom distractions (e.g., posters)
• Provide assistive technology
• Allow use of fidgets
• Permit flexible seating options
• Provide access to a calming corner or sensory room
• Offer extra breaks and movement
• Schedule movement breaks
• Allow extended processing time
• Provide sentence or paragraph starters
• Offer a self-editing checklist
• Provide lists to support writing or math (e.g., math operations, transition lists)
• Allow use of noise-canceling headphones

IEP Accommodations for Students With Emotional Disabilities

• Break tasks into smaller chunks
• Provide frequent breaks
• Allow students to use a pass to take breaks
• Offer choices in how students access and present material
• Check in frequently with the teacher
• Use nonverbal cues for negative behavior
• Provide immediate feedback on behavior and work
• Seat students near positive role models
• Assign seating for classes and lunch
• Provide a visual schedule of the daily routine
• Offer a quiet corner for calming down

IEP Accommodations for Students With Visual Impairments

• Provide text in large print
• Provide notes and text in braille
• Offer verbal descriptions of visual aids
• Provide a computer with an optical character reader and voice output
• Provide magnification devices
• Offer screen reader software
• Provide preferred seating (near instruction or materials)

IEP Accommodations for Deaf Students or Students With Hearing Impairments

• Provide special acoustics (e.g., audio amplifier)
• Offer a sign language interpreter
• Provide a notetaker
• Offer a scribe to record responses
• Provide teacher-created notes
• Use speech-to-text technology
• Provide an assistive listening system
• Offer preferential seating
• Provide captioning and captioned media

At Strategies for Learning, we’re here to help families navigate the IEP and 504 process. Our team can provide advocacy, collaborate with teachers, write letters of recommendation for accommodations, participate in IEP meetings, conduct assessments, and offer academic intervention.

Contact us to schedule a free consultation—we’re here to support you every step of the way.