Have the child repeat directions. Assign the student a buddy or use cooperative learning groups to clarify. Some students need complete quiet and may benefit from headphone or ear plugs to block out noise. Employ multisensory strategies when directions are given and a lesson is presented. Write key words or pictures on the board or overhead projector while presenting.
Overhead projectors are the best tools for focusing students' attention in the classroom.
Use colored chalk to highlight on the chalkboard, and colored pens on the overhead. Write key words, phrases, steps to computation problems, tricky letters in spelling words, and so on in a different color. Frame the visual material you want students to be focused on with your hand or with a colored box around it. Make direct eye contact with this student. Use private signals and cues that have been arranged with this student to help focus attention.