Catherine Johnson

12 November 2005

Instruction – Instructional Modifications

Special Need: ADHD

Ideas to make Websites more Accessible to Students with ADHD:

1) Whatever activity they are completing, have a time limit. Such as 6 minutes or under. Maybe just seeing that have to only work for 6 minutes will make them more able to concentrate than if they didn’t have any time limit.

2) Make the activity exciting and fun…more so than for ‘normal’ kids.

3) Blinking lights that indicate where to go.

4) Put a “surprise” on each activity, or after each good/right answer. The student might want to keep working to find out what they all are.

5) Create a prize or reward at the end, and remind the student each step of the way about it.

6) Allow them to play an instructional game, involving things like their spelling words.

7) Changing graphics.

8) Picture/graphics that make them take a second look to see what it is.

9) Pick a really interesting topic!

10) Have them provide feedback on the website.

Special Need: Down Syndrome

Ideas to make Websites more Accessible to Students with ADHD:

1) Have the website use large, colorful letters and links

2) Have the website “speak.” When the student clicks on something, it will say “Class Photos”

3) Assignments that are simple and don’t require abstract thought.

4) Highlight in color what is important for them to understand.

5) Have the computer speak “Great job!” or other exclamatory remarks that encourage them.

6) Use big pictures! (Or clipart) Especially of things that kids would like, such as animals.

7) If the site is about math, have the student add or subtract using pictures of things, such as apples.

8) Include some animation.

9) Blinking links and arrows for them to follow.

10) Personalize the website, so when they sign in, it might say “Welcome, Andrew!”