Classroom Accommodations for APD
The everyday effects of APDs (Auditory Processing Disorder) on a student’s learning can vary widely, however the following accommodations and strategies may help students in the classroom:
Classroom seating, materials, and routines
· Provide a quiet area for independent work.
· Let the student sit near the teacher and away from auditory distractions, like doors and windows.
· Check in frequently to make sure the student understands the work.
· Provide an assistive listening device to make it easier to distinguish the teacher’s voice.
· Give extra time for testing.
Instructions and Assignments
· Give step-by-step instructions, and have the student repeat them.
· Use attention-getting phrases like “This is important to know because….”
· Decide with the student on a nonverbal signal to show that a key point is being made.
· Say directions, assignments, and schedules out loud, and rephrase as needed.
· Repeat key information throughout the lesson, and rephrase as needed.
· Use visual tools, images, and gestures to enhance and support spoken lessons.
· Break down test or classwork instructions into short, written steps.
· Highlight key words and ideas on worksheets.
· Give written homework instructions.
· Provide a list of homework assignments for the week (or day).
Introducing new concepts/lessons
· Speak clearly and slowly when presenting new information.
· Give material on a new concept to the student before it’s taught to the whole class (so the student can get familiar with it ahead of time).
· Give a list of or highlight key vocabulary and concepts for upcoming lessons.
· Give a short review or connection to a previous lesson before teaching something new.
· Give the student an outline of the lesson.
· Grade based on the student’s completion of the lesson goal. (For instance, don’t grade spelling errors if that’s not what the student was supposed to learn.)
