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I belong to a small group of female bloggers. We meet on Zoom and discuss all the various aspects of blogging and owning a website. I recently began using graphic organizers to plan out my blog content.

On our last Zoom call, I used “share screen” to talk about what I was working on. (I’m trying some new things.) One of the other women said, “A-ha! I get it now. I never could really grasp how to cluster my content, but I love that worksheet you used. I understand it now.”

A hand sketching a graphic organizer on a white board.
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Sometimes it’s the simplest things that can make a huge difference. Like a sample of graphic organizer for student with learning disability.

I have other similar resources on this site, so maybe you’re looking for

Graphic organizers are a game-changer for many students with learning disabilities. Whether it’s helping to break down complex tasks, organizing thoughts for writing, or visualizing relationships in new concepts, these tools make learning more accessible.

If your child or student struggles with processing information, staying organized, or completing assignments independently, graphic organizers can provide structure and clarity. Best of all, they’re adaptable to various subjects and grade levels.

In this post, I’m sharing sample graphic organizers for students with learning disabilities that you can use immediately. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or advocate, these free PDF downloads will give you practical tools to help students succeed.

Scroll down to check out the samples and get your free PDFs!

sample of graphic organizer for student with learning disabilityDownload

I strongly suggest that you read on, if you are new to using a graphic organizer to improve executive functioning skills. Or, as a support for other learning disabilities.

Just throwing “graphic organizer” on there as an IEP accommodation is not meaningful. Make it meaningful! You should know what to look for in a graphic organizer for your child. But, even still…here they are, if you want them now.

What are Graphic Organizers?

Graphic organizers are visual tools that help students (or anyone, really) organize and process information. They are used in education to enhance learning and improve comprehension. They are used in school often. But, I use them all the time for work. Lots of working adults do. I’m sharing these free printable graphic organizers because many learning disabled students benefit from them.

One of the main benefits of using graphic organizers is that they help individuals see the connections between different pieces of information. This can make it easier to understand complex concepts and remember important details. For example, a mind map can be used to organize ideas for a research paper, while a Venn diagram can be used to compare and contrast different concepts.

It is important to note that graphic organizers are not a one-size-fits-all accommodation. While they can be helpful for many students, some individuals may find them confusing or overwhelming. It is important to experiment with different types of graphic organizers to find the ones that work best for each student.

Types of Graphic Organizers for Student with a Learning Disability

Graphic organizer templates come in many different forms, and each type serves a specific purpose. In this section, I will explain some of the most common graphic organizers that are used at school for students with learning disabilities.

  • Venn Diagram Graphic Organizer: Venn diagrams are a type of graphic organizer that allows students to compare and contrast two or more items. They consist of two or more overlapping circles, with each circle representing a different item. The overlapping area represents the similarities between the items, while the non-overlapping areas represent the differences.
  • Mind Map Graphic Organizer: These are my favorite! And, what I referenced in the first paragraph. I use mind maps all the time, because I have to “see” the ideas and how they are connected. Mind maps are a type of graphic organizer that help students brainstorm and organize ideas. They consist of a central idea or topic, with branches extending outwards to subtopics and supporting details.
  • Concept Map Graphic Organizer: Concept maps are similar to mind maps, but they focus more on the relationships between ideas. They consist of nodes, which represent concepts or ideas, and links, which represent the relationships between those concepts.
  • Flowchart Graphic Organizer: Flowcharts are a type of graphic organizer that show the steps in a process or procedure. They consist of boxes or shapes connected by arrows, with each box representing a step in the process. Flowcharts are a great way to visualize and understand complex processes.
  • Blank Timeline Templates: Timelines are a type of graphic organizer that show the sequence of events over time. They consist of a horizontal line with dates or time periods marked along it, and events or milestones marked at the appropriate points. Timelines are a great way to understand the chronological order of events and how they relate to each other.
  • KWL Chart: KWL stands for Know, Want to Know, Learn. Here is a sample KWL chart.

Here is one example of a mind map graphic organizer.

A graphic organizer mind map with arrows pointing in different directions.
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Benefits of Graphic Organizers for Learning Disabilities

Enhances Learning: Graphic organizers are a powerful tool for enhancing learning. They help students to organize information in a visual way, making it easier to understand and remember. By breaking down complex information into smaller, more manageable chunks, graphic organizers allow students to see the relationships between different concepts.

Improves Comprehension: One of the main benefits of graphic organizers is that they improve comprehension. By presenting information in a clear and organized way, graphic organizers help students to make sense of complex ideas. They allow students to see the big picture and understand how different pieces of information fit together.

Promotes Critical Thinking: Another benefit of graphic organizers is that they promote critical thinking. By encouraging students to analyze information, identify patterns and relationships, and evaluate evidence, graphic organizers help to develop important critical thinking skills. They also encourage students to think creatively and come up with new ideas.

Graphic Organizers in Special Education

Graphic organizers are an excellent tool to help students organize their thoughts and ideas. They can be used in a variety of ways, including in-classroom teaching, student assignments, and as assessment tools.

In Classroom Teaching: In classroom teaching, graphic organizers can be used to help students understand complex topics. Teachers can use graphic organizers to present information in a visual format, making it easier for students to understand and remember. For example, a teacher can use a Venn diagram to show the similarities and differences between two concepts.

For Student Assignments: Graphic organizers can also be used for student assignments. Students can use graphic organizers to plan their writing, organize their research, and brainstorm ideas. For example, a student can use a concept map to organize their ideas for a research paper.

Graphic Organizers as a Special Education Accommodation: Graphic organizers can be used as accommodations on IEPs or 504 plans. Teachers can use graphic organizers to assess student understanding and to provide feedback. For example, a teacher can ask students to create a concept map to demonstrate their understanding of a topic. Or, if a student has been introduced to a topic in other ways (verbally, reading, video) a graphic organizer can organize it for them.

Graphic organizers are a powerful tool for students and teachers. They can be used in a variety of ways to help students organize their thoughts and ideas, understand complex topics, and demonstrate their understanding.

Let me know if you’d like adjustments or additions–all the content on this site is added or edited based on feedback from reader.

How to Improve Executive Function Skills

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Special Education Advocate

I'm an IEP/Special Education Advocate who has attended 100s of IEP meetings. I live in Chester County, PA with my husband and two boys, one is disabled. My goal is to make your IEP process easier and help you move your IEP Team to YES. When I'm not here, I'm probably in Harrisburg or DC lobbying for systems change for our kids.