How can a special education teacher best assist a student with a perceptual deficit while reading?

Utilizing an overlay device to focus on text is an effective strategy for assisting a student with a perceptual deficit while reading. This approach specifically addresses visual processing challenges that such students may encounter. Overlay devices, which can be colored filters or transparent sheets placed over text, help reduce visual stress, enhance contrast, and can make the text easier to read.

This method can aid in mitigating issues related to tracking text, recognizing letters, and maintaining focus on the reading material, which are common difficulties faced by students with perceptual deficits. By providing a means to visually filter and interact with the text, the student is more likely to improve their reading fluency and comprehension skills.

The other options may offer benefits in different contexts. For example, repeated readings can reinforce understanding and fluency, while audio versions can help students who struggle with decoding text. However, the unique needs of students with perceptual deficits are often more directly addressed through tactical interventions like overlay devices, which precisely target the underlying visual perceptual issues that affect their reading.