Accommodations for a Student Who Has DIfficulty with Fine Motor Skills

List of needs and solutions

Accommodations in Assignments and Assessments

Instructions

• Let student record lectures and discussions, digitally or on tape.
• Minimize copying from board.

Organizing

• Make sure worksheets have ample space space for writing answers.
• Give student two copies of worksheet: draft and final copy.
• Provide paper with raised lines or color-coded line indicators; use graph paper for computation.
• Provide paper with math guides, graph paper for computation, paper with midlines for taking notes.

Support

• Let student use adaptive devices, such as pencil grips, pen or pencil holders, erasable pens.
• Allow student to use different types of writing tools, for example, thin or thick markers, pens, crayons, and pencils of different thickness.
• Provide positioning tools, such as tilt-top desk or book stand, for easier reading.
• Indicate sections for each response by drawing lines or folding paper.
• Provide paper with midlines, math or writing guides; use graph paper for computation.
• Provide electric stapler and eraser.
• Provide adapted scissors, such as training scissors, loop scissors, rolling scissors, or table-mounted scissors.
• Provide paper cutter with encased wheel for straight cuts, or electric scissors with control unit and switch if needed.
• Let student tear rather than cut paper using ruler as guide if needed.

Technology

• Let student use portable word processor or typewriter.
• Let student create audio or video recording or response, or dictate to trained classmate or teaching assistant.
• Scan worksheets, forms, or texts to make them keyboard accessible.
• Let student use trackball or other alternative cursor control.

Classroom Tests

• Increase space for test answers; reduce number of items per page.
• Use template to focus attention to one line of text or column of math problem.
• Let student respond orally, dictate to an aide, or record test answers.
• Let student use physical supports, such as bookends, plastic containers for supplies, and bags or folders for work materials.

FCAT

• Use tabbed or modified pages for easier turning.
• Put fewer items on a page; increase space between test items.
• Provide paper with math or writing guides to produce organized, legible answers.
• Secure paper to work area.
• Let student use paper with raised, shaded, or color-coded lines.
• Let student enter answers directly on answer sheet.
• Let student dictate responses to test proctor, or to digital or tape recorder.
• Let student use speech-to-text technology to indicate answers.
• Let student use a computer switch, alternative keyboard, pointing device, or other communication device to indicate answers for test.
• Check periodically that student is marking in the correct spaces on answer sheet.

Accommodations in Time Demands or Scheduling

• Reduce length of assignment to allow student more time.

List of needs and solutions