Processing Concerns

Type: Student Strategy, Accommodation

Procedure:
Determine the source of the problems to tailor interventions.

• If it's an initiation problem, is it due to...
• emotional factors ("It's too much!")?
• provide encouragement, support, help getting started, etc.
• cognitive factors ("I don't every know where to begin!")?
• develop a plan, break it down, use graphic organizers, etc.
• If there are focus/attention problems:
• reduce distractions
• provide white noise
• recognize on-task behavior
• prompt student when he/she drifts
• provide incentives for work completion
• If there are working memory problems:
• provide templates
• provide word banks
• encourage questions
• provide gentle reminders
• If there are activity interferences:
• provide opportunities for movement, fidget objects, gum chewing/candy sucking, etc. 

Accommodations:

• increase time to complete tests
• eliminate unnecessary, clerical task elements 
• reduce timed assessments (e.g. Mad Math Minute)
• reduce number of tasks necessary to evidence competence