What term describes a supportive change made in instruction to help students with special needs?

The term that describes a supportive change made in instruction to help students with special needs is "accommodation." Accommodations are specific adjustments or modifications in the learning environment that enable a student to access the curriculum and demonstrate their knowledge without altering the content or expectations of the learning goals. For instance, providing extended time on tests, using assistive technology, or allowing students to take assessments in a quieter setting are all examples of accommodations.

This term is distinct from others like modifications, which change the standards or expectations for a student, and adaptations or differentiation, which are more general terms referring to how instruction can be tailored to meet individual student needs. In contrast, accommodations specifically focus on ensuring that students with special needs can participate fully in the educational process in a way that maintains the integrity of the learning objectives.