Classroom Modifications and Strategies
for TBI Students
The following list of classroom modifications and strategies may assist the student as
he/she returns to school following an acquired injury to the brain.
Environmental Modifications:
- minimize extraneous auditory and visual stimulation (use study carrels or room
dividers)
- provide preferential seating
- arrange seating to allow for more space between students
- provide small group instruction
- structure student's activities and schedule to limit number of changes and reduce
unstructured time
- limit number of persons that the student deals with each day
- provide the student with a written schedule and keep the schedule as consistent as
possible
- provide area to keep supplies, books, etc., away from student's work area
- select a classroom buddy
Learning Strategies:
- gain the student's attention before speaking
- break complex tasks down into component parts and complete each part before trying to combine the components
- provide frequent repetition of important tasks
- utilize the child's best sensory modality
- question student to be sure the information was received and interpreted clearly and
provide feedback as necessary
- provide cueing systems in the form of assignment books, placing task cues on
student's desk, etc.
- provide verbal and written instruction
- shorten assignments and/or divide assignments into parts
- structure thinking processes graphically through outlines, graphs, flow charts and models
- develop a system for maintaining organization
- facilitate
note taking by providing outlines with major headings
- give short frequent quizzes, rather than all inclusive exams
- accompany homework with written instructions
- initiate a behavior modification program for academic and/or interpersonal behavior
skills encouraging student to chart his or her progress.
Current update on September 11, 2002