When I worked as a one on one aide to a student with special needs in junior high school, I was glad to come into it "green." I had no idea what I was expected to do or what sorts of things people had tried with him before. I was able to simply adjust to what it seemed that he needed the most. Most days that just meant I needed to be patient enough to repeat questions on tests and homework over and over until he could find an answer for himself. There were days when i felt that it would be good to have some sort of recording device so that he could trigger how often the questions were asked of him. There were also times that I tried to use a timer for him for a certain number of questions or something, because often students with needs respond well to time frame. He did not respond well though so I am glad I didn't request a timer. With special needs students, it's all about trial and error, it's about finding a good fit.