Strategy Matrix

Organizing Needs & Strategies for Intervention Purposes

Disability: Emotional/ Behavioral Disorders

Possibly / Common Strengths: Students with ED often have a high ability to communicate verbally
and artistically. They often excel using technology. These students are often passionate, empathetic, and
honest.
Characteristics Strategies
Academic
1. Often two or more years below grade level in a) Questioning: useful for students who have poor
reading, writing, and math. reading skills and need assistance with reading
comprehension.
b) Computer Assisted Instruction: can increase
motivation for students with ED allowing them
individualized instruction and immediate feedback.
2. May have communication deficits, especially in a) Art: offers a form of communication that allows the
writing student to be expressive and communicative without
being intimidated by the assignment.
b) Journaling: helps students practice their writing and
improves their self-esteem.
Social / School (Skills)
1. May display aggressive & confrontational a) Student Choice: empowers students with a sense of
behavior control over their actions.
b) Behavior Specific Praise: encourages students and
increases appropriate behaviors.
2. May be noncompliant and ignore adults a) Check in/ Check out: offers students increased,
directions positive, adult attention and specific and timely
feedback to improve behaviors.
b) Self-monitoring: allows students to develop specific
goals and empowers students to cognitively evaluate
their own behavior.
Behavior / Organization
1. May struggle with organization and time a) Visual Timetable: provides visual support for
management students who have trouble following verbal directions
or coping with unstructured time.
b) Organizational Strategies: may include student
mailboxes, time timers, organizational skills forms, and
orderly binders.
2. May become easily frustrated & give up easily a) Positive Self-Talk: improves students attribution to
success and encourages them to find ways to
overcome challenges.
b) Peer Assisted Learning (PALs): helps students
combat learned helplessness through reciprocal
tutoring.