Consider a whole school approach to support pupils communication eg use of Makaton, sign language, using braille

Physical Challenges

• Consider organisation of classroom to allow free movement and plenty of space to work

• Ensure that left and right-handed pupils are not sitting next to each other with writing hands adjacent

• Sloping desk provided if possible

• Ensure pupil is able to view the teacher directly without turning the body – close enough to see and hear instructions

• Seated where there are minimal distractions e.g. away from windows and doors

• Encourage oral presentations as an alternative to some written work

• Lined paper with spaces sufficiently wide to accommodate pupil’s handwriting, mark starting point for each line with a green dot

• Attach paper to desk with masking tape to avoid having to hold with one hand and write with the other

• Ensure range of different pen/pencil grips is available

• If copying from the board is absolutely necessary, use different colours for each line and leave a gap between lines

• Teach pupil how to use planner, diary, lists to organise themselves as appropriate

• Allow additional time to complete tasks

• Where possible, allow the pupil alternatives to taking part in team games where he/she will be identified as ‘letting the side down’