Understanding Directions & Instruction Delivery Accommodations

Instruction delivery accommodations change how information is presented to a student. These are some of the most commonly used IEP accommodations because they address a fundamental need: making sure your child can access what is being taught.

Examples include repeating or simplifying directions, providing written instructions alongside verbal ones, using visual supports, and checking for understanding before independent work. Some students need preferential seating near the teacher, while others benefit from pre-teaching vocabulary before a lesson.

These accommodations are especially helpful for students with attention, processing, or language-based disabilities. If your child frequently says "I didn't understand the directions," that is a sign the IEP team should discuss how instructions are delivered, not whether your child is paying attention.