How I Test Non-Speaking Students (Without the Stress)

August 25, 2025

Adapted assessments in special education.

If you’ve ever tried to assess a non-speaking or non-verbal student, you know how tough it can be. Most testing tools assume kids will say their answers—but what about the students who can’t?

I remember my first year needing to assess what my special education students already knew and what they still needed to learn—and quickly realizing that was going to be especially difficult for my non-speaking students.

That’s when I realized I needed adapted assessments in special education.

Adapted Assessment: Phonics Sounds & Lowercase Letters, Basic Skills Testing

Why I Created Adapted Testing Materials

I started making adapted uppercase, lowercase, and phonics sound assessments for my own classroom because I wanted my non-speaking students to have a fair shot at showing what they know. Instead of requiring a verbal response, these materials use a field of two choices.

Here’s why it works:

Students can point, tap, or eye-gaze to show their answer.
A smaller field keeps them from getting overwhelmed by too many options.
I get more accurate data for IEPs and progress reports.

Uppercase & Lowercase Letter Match Assessment – File Folders A–L, M–X | Alphabet

It’s amazing what happens when kids are given the right tools. The same students who once seemed like they “couldn’t” do the alphabet test are showing me they know one hundred high-frequency words—simply because I can finally see what they really know. With adapted materials, I’m able to meet them right where they are and move their learning forward.

When I Use These Resources

At the beginning of the year for baseline data
During trimester assessments
For IEP progress monitoring
Anytime I need a quick check-in on letters or sounds

And the best part? My students are more confident because they’re able to show what they know in a way that feels accessible and comfortable for them.

Why This Matters

As teachers, we know our students’ skills go way beyond what standardized tools sometimes show. These adapted assessments help close that gap so we can celebrate their progress and plan next steps with confidence.

If you’d like to try these adapted uppercase, lowercase, and phonics sound testing materials in your classroom, you can grab them in my TPT store.

And if you love freebies (who doesn’t?!), make sure you subscribe, you’ll receive free adapted resources to make assessments and instruction easier for your students.

Because every student deserves the chance to show what they know. ?