Effective Instructional and Antecedent Strategies in Special Education

Antecedent Strategies

An approach to addressing challenging behavior or academic performance using evidence-based strategies that can be class-wide or individual.

Increase Predictability

When students can predict the events of the day, they are more likely to be engaged and less likely to display problem behavior.

Behavior Specific Praise (BSP)

Praise paired with identifying the desirable behavior, which increases the rate of on-task behavior.

Matching Material & Instructional Level

Assigning work that matches the students' skill level to reduce problem behavior.

Pace of Instruction

Adjusting the speed of teaching to maintain student engagement and reduce frustration.

Opportunities to Respond

Providing students with chances to actively participate in the learning process.

Opportunity for Choice

Allowing students to make choices in their learning to increase engagement.

Effective Instruction & Commands

Delivering clear and direct instructions to enhance understanding and compliance.

Provide Scheduled Attention

Allocating specific times for attention to reduce attention-seeking behavior.

Visual Timer

A tool used to help students understand the passage of time and manage transitions.

Social Story

A narrative that describes social situations and appropriate responses to help students navigate challenges.

Consistent Procedures and Routines

Establishing regular practices that help students feel secure and understand expectations.

Signals & Cues

Visual or verbal indicators that prepare students for upcoming changes in the classroom.

Verbal Reminders

Oral prompts about the day's events to reinforce predictability.

Photos of New Environments

Using images to familiarize students with new settings and reduce anxiety.

Discussing Possible Challenges

Talking with students about potential difficulties and planning responses together.

Research on Instructional Level Matching

Studies show that mismatched instructional levels lead to increased problem behavior.

Class-wide or Individual Strategies

Strategies that can be applied to the entire class or tailored to individual students.

Quick and Easy Implementation

Many antecedent strategies can be applied swiftly and without extensive preparation.

Positive Effects on Learning Outcomes

Implementing effective antecedent strategies can lead to improved academic performance.

Opportunities to Respond (OTRs)

Opportunities in which students have to actively respond to academic requests or questions, associated with improved academic performance and higher levels of task engagement.

Recommended OTRs

Recommended 3.5 OTRs per minute to enhance student engagement and reduce disruptive behavior.

Choice

Giving the student(s) an option when learning or completing classroom requirements/tasks, which increases investment and engagement.

Scheduled Attention

Pre-planned time for attention to reduce problem behavior for attention in the future, ensuring attention is non-contingent.

Satiate

To satisfy to the fullest, particularly in the context of providing attention.

Characteristics of Effective Teachers

Effective teachers allow for more opportunities to respond and are well-prepared with accessible materials.

Myth about Students with Disabilities

The myth that students with disabilities need slower instruction is incorrect; effective pacing is crucial.

Forms of Response

Responses can be verbal, written, or physical, and can range from 1:1 discrete trials to whole class responses.

Engagement Strategies

Strategies such as providing choices and opportunities to respond can lead to higher student engagement.

Attention Check-ins

Scheduled check-ins and conversations can help maintain student engagement and reduce problem behaviors.

Concise Instructions

Instructions should be clear and concise, ideally one instruction at a time, to enhance understanding.

Wait Time

Giving students wait time to respond is an important aspect of effective instruction.

Class-wide Choices

Choices can be made at a class-wide level, such as through a class vote, to increase student involvement.

Individual Choices

Students should always have an individual choice regarding their learning tasks to boost engagement.

Positive Attention

Making time for positive attention can help mitigate problem behaviors related to seeking attention.

Peer Learning

Engaging students in peer learning can enhance their learning experience and reduce disruptive behavior.

Reflective Essay

A reflective essay is a task to be completed as part of the learning process.

Guest Speaker

A guest speaker event scheduled for Tuesday & Thursday to enhance learning experiences.

Instructional Strategies

A variety of strategies used to enhance classroom management and student engagement.

Accommodation vs. Modifications

A review of the differences between accommodations that support learning without altering the curriculum and modifications that change the curriculum.

Active Student Engagement

A higher level of participation and involvement of students in the learning process.

Age-Appropriate Materials & Activities

Materials and activities that are suitable for the cognitive, developmental, or behavioral age of the student.

Variety Increases Interest

Having a diverse range of strategies and materials can enhance student interest and engagement.

Sensory Needs

Different types and amounts of sensory input required by students with and without disabilities.

Direct Instruction

A teaching method focused on clear, concise learning objectives, where teachers demonstrate the steps for students.

I do, we do, you do

A systematic approach in Direct Instruction where the teacher first demonstrates, then guides, and finally allows students to practice independently.

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)

An instructional approach rooted in systematic teaching and behavior principles, widely used in special education.

Common Components of ABA

Includes systematic teaching, explicit and direct teaching, reinforcement and punishment procedures, and data collection.

Reinforcement & Punishment Procedures

Techniques used in ABA to increase desired behaviors or decrease undesired behaviors.

Data Collection

The process of gathering information to assess student progress and the effectiveness of instructional strategies.

Behavior Skills Training

A method in ABA that focuses on teaching specific skills through direct instruction and practice.

Shaping & Chaining

Techniques in ABA used to gradually teach complex behaviors by breaking them down into smaller steps.

Prompting

Providing cues or hints to encourage desired behaviors, often using a hierarchy of prompts.

Contingency Contracts

Agreements between teachers and students outlining expectations and consequences for behaviors.

Discrete Trial Training

A structured ABA technique that involves breaking down skills into small, teachable units.

Promoting Independence

Encouraging students to perform tasks on their own without reliance on prompts or assistance.

Brisk Pace

Maintaining a quick tempo in instruction to keep students engaged and focused.

Skill Acquisition

The process of learning new skills through instruction and practice.

Lots of OTR

Providing many opportunities to respond during instruction to enhance learning.

Grouping Students

The practice of organizing students into different groups based on various criteria, such as ability or learning style.

Heterogeneous vs. Homogeneous

Refers to grouping students with diverse abilities (heterogeneous) versus grouping students with similar abilities (homogeneous).

Social Stories

A specific format that includes a story and pictures to teach social cues and expectations.

Carol Gray

The creator of Social Stories.

Workstations (TEACCH)

A method that promotes independence and covers an array of academic tasks.

Teach Through Stations

An instructional strategy that increases active engagement among students.

Community-Based Instruction

An approach that allows students to apply the skills they have learned in real-world settings.

Accommodations

Changes to how a student learns, allowing access to content on an equal playing field while still meeting the same requirements as peers.

Modifications

Changes to what a student is expected to learn, requiring an IEP and tailored to meet priority educational needs.

Instructional methods and materials

One of the areas where accommodations may be provided.

Assignments & assessments

Another area where accommodations may be provided.

Environmental

Refers to accommodations that adjust the learning environment for students.

Time demands & scheduling

An aspect of accommodations that can be adjusted to support student learning.

Special education

A category for students who have been evaluated and placed in a program that allows for modifications.

Long-range implications of modifications

Considerations for how modifications will affect a student's future learning and independence.

Completion of certain programs or course requirements

An example of a modification that may be necessary for some students.

Alternate curriculum expectations

A potential modification that changes the learning goals for a student.

Alternate assessments

Assessments that differ from standard evaluations, used as a modification.

Adaptation classification

Determining if an adaptation is an accommodation or modification based on what is being measured.

Behavioral expectations

Guidelines set for student behavior in a learning environment.

Paraeducator

An educational assistant who can support teachers and students in the classroom.