Special Needs Children and Their Desks!

The pencil flies off the desk. As the student reaches to get it, he knocks down the paper he was using to the floor. In the process of picking up the stuff, he loses his balance and drops the rest of the crayons. This scene is repeated daily, even hourly for some students. The teacher is frustrated, but the student is even more frustrated. What can a teacher do?

Some practical solutions can make life better. One easy way to help keep papers and pencils on the desk, is to put up what I call a sidewall or bumper around the desk. An easy way to do this, is to take laminated construction paper or other stiff paper about 3 inches wide and long enough to go around 3 sides of the desk. Allow the front side to remain open to access the inside of the desk. Attach with most of the width sticking up from the desk to act as a bumper. It can be attached with double sided Velcro or packing tape. It looks a little unconventional and it won't stop big heavy stuff from falling off, but it will stop pencils and crayons from rolling right off the desk. My students love it, and they will go out of their way to make sure it gets fixed. It is relief for them from the stress of trying to corral all the loose pencils and papers.

Another helpful tip is to get an inbox for students. Some students just can't handle the folders that teachers ask them to use. They don't have the dexterity to get the paper into the folders, or it is so difficult for them, they just don't use them. Instead their desk becomes a unending pit of papers. A easy way to help this problem is to give them an in box. It can be a top of a box, about an inch deep that they can keep in their desk, or under their chair. A copier box top works well. It is the correct size for most papers.

A piece of non toxic modeling clay-the type that doesn't dry out can be used to help stick the pencil to the desk to keep it from rolling. Some students don't like to sit up, because they don't like the feel of the desk against their stomach. A piece of old towel can be rolled up and used as padding. Some students also have difficulty with the hard chair and a little padding can help stop their squirming.

Remember if you are frustrated, the student probably is too. These ideas help can help, but each student is different. Look for creative ways to help your student. It will make your teaching life easier also.