Choice gives the student some autonomy and can lower anxiety by having the student feel they have some control. Offer two or three options that have the same learning outcome and let the student choose which one they do. Ask the student "would you like me to help you, xyz to help you or would you like to try it yourself?" "Do you want to do your work at your desk or in the corridor, on the verandah etc."
If you can see that it is a high anxiety day for your student reduce the demands. Can the student walk around the school, supported by an SLSO or adult, and engage in incidental learning? Can the student work outside? Can the student engage in a preferred activity first until their anxiety levels decrease? Can they do two questions instead of five?
Give choice around break time/rewards, embed this into their interest. The student could earn minutes for their chosen activity by completing work.Â