Return to Questions

Answer:

Subject: Re: Modifications in the regular classroom

There is a fine distinction between modifications and accomodations.. What you REALLY want is "Accomodations". Modifications can result in your child receiving less than a regular diploma.. usually a "Certificate of Attendance" or a "Special Education Diploma".

Modifications are changes to the actual content your child is required to learn.. In other words, she doesn't have to learn the same things as the other children. If a child is properly remediated for Learning Disabilities such as Dyslexia, Modifications SHOULD only be temporary --until the child can achieve on grade level, and should have no affect on a diploma if the child is remediated prior to high school. (A BIG trick here is getting the child SUCCESSFULLY remediated in a timely manner -- it usually takes three years of effective, dedicated remediation).

Accomodations, however, are different means of presenting the SAME information in a viable way for the child and/or providing alternative methods for a child to convey her knowledge. Accomodations are things like untimed tests, having the test given orally, having a scribe for taking notes, having extended time for assignments, allowing assignments to be typed rather than written by hand, and having content read to the child. Accomodations make the SAME curriculum that other children are given accessible to a child with a disability. The child still has to learn the same content as other children.

So, things like accomodations for spelling on a vocabulary test SHOULD be made.. She KNOWS the word.. The true point of vocabulary words is for the child to know the word and what it means.. Not necessarily spelling. Not counting off for spelling is a COMMON accomodation for children with dyslexia! As my hubby says, "That is what word processors are for." ;-)

It might help you to take a look at the Accomodations and Modifications section of our Free Online IEP training.

To find specific accommodations that might help your child, you may want to visit www.fape.org or look at their PDF document with lists of "School Accommodations and Modifications".

Return to Questions