Accommodations for Working Memory Deficits
Strategies aren't always sufficient for ensuring students' success in school. Working memory has a significant impact on academic performance, and students with weaknesses in this area often find it challenging to retain and manipulate needed information while simultaneously producing word. Some students may require specific accommodations in conjunction with strategy instruction to enable them to access the curriculum and meet the demands of their classes.
Examples of general accommodations for students with working memory deficits include:
- A designated class note taker
- Recording classes and lectures
- Access to Powerpoint presentations
- Word banks
- Visual checklists and "to-do" lists on post-it notes
- Graphic organisers for writing
Examples of subject-specific accommodations include the following:
- Maths: Calculator, procedure lists, multiplication chart
- Reading: Recorded books, electronic readers
Written expression: Word processor, electronic writing organisers or templates, grammar and spell-check tools, writing rubrics