Students with Disabilities: Family Toolbox

During extended school closure, schools may offer opportunities for students to learn from home. While families are not responsible for providing IEP services to their students with disabilities during school closure, there are many ways families can support learning at home. This document provides you, as a family member of a student with a disability, a quick overview of ways you can support your child’s learning during school closure.

ORGANIZATION: Maintaining a consistent routine is important for helping children feel stable during school closure

Set up a daily routine and schedule. Be sure to include time for breaks.

Use a calendar or day planner to keep track of daily activities. 

Many children with disabilities, especially younger ones, respond well to a visual schedule that uses pictures to keep track of upcoming activities.

For students who need more help staying focused, you can use an online visual countdown timer.

Limit distractions and arrange a quiet space for your child to work.

Reward your child for time on-task or finishing assignments

Use activities that they enjoy as reward

ACCOMMODATION AND ACCESSIBILITY: Your child’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or Section 504 plan lists the accommodations that help them succeed at school. During school closure, it is important to know your child’s accommodations and practice using them at home.

Review your child’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or Section 504 plan if you have it at home. If you do not have the IEP or 504 plan at home, email your child’s teacher.

Common accommodations include extra time, small group activities, and frequent breaks. Break tasks or assignments into smaller pieces and have your child take breaks as needed. Breaks can be physical or quiet and relaxing.

If your child uses assistive technology for schoolwork, help them use it to learn from home. For example, they might use speech to text software, a calculator, or other specific apps. 

Remember that you know your child best. Are there supports they need to help them pay attention? Would it be helpful to have headphones? A fidget toy? Highlighters? 

Students with significant disabilities may have multiple, complex accommodations. Families should assess what is being asked of them; determine their own abilities and resources; advocate for what they need; and, ask for realistic expectations and activities for supporting their children during this time.

LESSON HELP: Some schools are offering schoolwork for students to complete from home during school closure. You can support your child’s learning by guiding them through assignments.

Prepare your child for learning by telling them why the work is important, what they will learn and what activities they will complete.

Note: The information in this document is a summary and does not provide every detail, exception or circumstance. Nothing in this document is intended to state new law or supplant any federal or state laws, regulations or requirements.

Print a copy of this page from the Louisiana Department of Education website.