Established Approaches to Teaching Kids with Disabilities

​Educators have developed various teaching techniques for students with disabilities. Many of these techniques, such as sequential and multi-sensory, can benefit struggling students without an officially diagnosed disability.

While many students thrive by learning independently through educational resources and working with peers, students with disabilities often require a more pronounced emphasis on direct teacher instruction. Because these students often benefit from a sequential approach to learning, instructors often break their lessons into a series of small steps.

Educators also often use a multisensory teaching approach with students who have disabilities. This might mean using highly visual elements such as photographs and diagrams in conjunction with verbal instruction. In some cases, teachers will use kinesthetic and tactile methods, such as tracing the letters of words and completing hands-on experiments.

Multi-sensory teaching might also mean incorporating purely auditory elements, such as music, and even purely gustatory elements, such as food.

Other tips for teaching students with disabilities include eliminating all potential distractions and focusing on student strengths rather than weaknesses. It is also important to provide more frequent assessments and feedback for students with disabilities.

Mel Brencius ; Buena Park School District Seizes Opportunities to Learn;

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