How to Best Serve a Student With a Developmental Delay in the Classroom
- 1). Identify the area or areas of delay. There are five main categories in which developmental areas are grouped: Gross motor skills refer to the development of using large muscle systems. Fine motor skills refer to child's ability to coordinate the movement of small muscles, such as the muscles of the hand. Speech and language development is the ability to form and understand words. It is also the ability to use words with the correct tense and in an appropriate context. Cognitive development refers to problem-solving abilities. Social and emotional development is the ability of the child to relate to other children and adults. The child should also be able to properly express and control emotions. A child can have delays in one or more areas, and it is important to identify each area so you are able serve the needs of the child.
- 2). Locate the child's strengths. These areas in which the child is strong should be highlighted and used to strengthen other areas. For example, if a child struggles with writing coordination but is proficient at typing, allow them to type assignments while they practice with their writing coordination.
- 3). Design a lesson plan for the child. Many children, especially those with social delays, will benefit from knowing what is expected of them. Ask assistance from parents and therapists involved in the child's care in helping design the lesson plan. People involved with day-to-day care of the child will have many ideas to encourage the child's success.
- 4). Use teaching aids. Visual cues and closed captioning for videos can be useful for students with hearing or speech impairments. Peer mentors can be used to assist students with a variety of delays from reading to motor skills.
- 5). Repeat directions using clear and simplified language. Make sure the child has an understanding of what you are saying. Demonstrate the action to show the desired action or outcome.
- 6). Facilitate the use of therapists within the classroom. Clear some space so they are able to work with and provide time in the student's schedule to work one-on-one with the therapist. Talk to the therapist to gauge your success in serving each student's needs.
- 7). Evaluate the child's success regularly. Traditional testing may not be appropriate for the child, so you may need to implement other evaluation methods. Give a grade based on the child's progress. Determine if they are able to perform tasks with more ease than before the class began. Reward and reinforce successes and rework methods to address deficits.
