How do I make sure my child has access to inclusive school electives and extracurriculars?

Your child should have the same access to electives as any student, unless there are prerequisites to pass first. Here are some parent tips to ensure your child’s inclusion in elective classes:

• You may want to ask whether using the resource room for intervention and tutoring is considered an elective, and if spending time there will cause your teen to miss out on fun activities like band and art. How will you handle this? If you choose the resource room, think about how your teen can benefit from creative learning outside of school. If you opt for the fun electives, can you schedule a tutor to work with them after school?
• Just like core academic subjects, elective classes should include the necessary accommodations for your child’s success. If your child uses a 1:1 aide, extra time for assignments, or other supports in core classes, make sure these supports are also provided in elective courses.
• If admission to an elective is competitive, such as for photography or robotics, your child should be allowed to compete on equal terms with peers. The school is not required to lower the academic standards, but it must provide accommodations to ensure your child has the same opportunity to succeed. For example, if the class requires an audition or a portfolio submission (like in theatre or art classes), your child should be given extra time to prepare or alternative ways to showcase their talents.
• Many electives involve group work, which can be an excellent opportunity for socialization and building teamwork skills. Ensure your child is placed in supportive groups where they can work collaboratively with peers. If necessary, a peer mentor or buddy system can help your child integrate into the group activities and feel more included.
• In electives that involve hands-on activities, like cooking or art, it’s important to adapt tasks where needed. For example, if your child struggles with fine motor skills, they could be given tools or equipment that support their participation (e.g., adaptive kitchen tools for cooking, larger brushes or modified instruments for art or music). The OT can push-in to identify appropriate needs.
• Update your child’s IEP as necessary to ensure that accommodations are being implemented in elective classes. If any additional supports are needed, such as specialized tools, equipment, or assistance, request that they be included in the plan.
• If your child is interested in sports like basketball or swimming, but needs additional assistance, ask the school to provide a 1:1 aide or support staff during practices and games. This will ensure that your child can fully participate and be safe while engaging with their peers in a team environment. Many students with extensive support needs enjoy being part of the team as manager or water carrier.
• Whether it’s a drama club, band, choir, or robotics club, the school should offer the same level of support as they would in the classroom. This might include providing extra assistance during rehearsals or performances or modifying assignments to fit your child’s needs. For example, visual aids (such as cue cards or a teleprompter-style screen) can be provided to help them remember their lines during performances. Or in band or choir, if your child has difficulty keeping up with music sheets or remembering the notes, assistive devices like sheet music apps or visual aids showing note progressions can help.

For more tips, see our full article Inclusion in High School. You can also see our full article on extracurricular activities about how to make sure the school supports and includes your child.