Assessments IFSPs IEPs text chapter 10 Learning Objectives

Assessments, IFSP’s & IEP’s (text: chapter 10)

Learning Objectives: Define UDL Evaluate the UDL of a commercial toy List and describe the six steps identified in assessment List types of observation tools Complete a K-W-L chart on IFSP/IEP’s Describe the team members and family roles in the IFSP/IEP process Compare the similarities and differences of the IFSP & IEP

**Activity** Universal Design universal design-an approach to the design of all products & environment to be as usable as possible by as many people as possible regardless of age, ability or situation Directions: Choose a toy for a child between the ages of 9 months and 5 years old. Assess/evaluate your own toy using the Universal Design for Play Tool at the website: http: //letsplay. buffalo. edu/toys/special-toys. htm Rate the universal design features of the toy based upon the Universal Design Score Sheet. Handout/Article- “Guidelines for Selecting Toys…”

**ACTIVITY** One Toy…Many Uses Using a ring stack, brainstorm ideas for its use to develop various skills within each discipline. cognitive/academic communication/speech gross motor fine motor/sensory social-emotional

Assessment & Screening assessment-the process of collecting information to answer a question What do you need this information for? doctor’s appointments confirm diagnosis as further referral to early intervention to write IFSP/IEP’s to gain information of child’s progress How do you assess? observe gather information record information

Six Steps Identified in Assessment screening-identify children determining eligibilitydoes the child have an identifiable disability? do they qualify for services? determining services-what services do they qualify for (OT, PT, etc) planning the programidentify services needed, how they will be delivered and what skills/areas will be addressed monitoring progress-how is the child progressing? evaluating the program/effectiveness

Examples of assessments work samples portfolios checklists standardized tests criterion-referenced assessments norm-referenced tests IQ tests

Common types of tests used in assessments Criterion-referenced assessment-an assessment that describes a child’s developmental level and progress according to a prescribed set of skills, tasks, and activities (compared to pre-selected standards) Norm-referenced assessment- an instrument that compares a child’s developmental level to a normative sample of same-age peers ▪ “how well does my child do compared to other children the same age? ” ▪ not very reliable with young children IQ tests-intelligence tests ▪ usually norm-referenced ▪ designed to determine how much a child knows, how well the child solves problems and how quickly a child can perform a variety of mental tasks

Assessment must be ongoing, developmentally appropriate, and supportive (Hyson, 2002) Screening-the identification of developmental problems or the potential for such problems ▪ tests must be reliable and valid and developed specifically for young children ▪ results do not determine a diagnosis ▪ after a screening is performed, families should be encouraged to seek further assessment When screening & assessing, remember… families know their child best they know what their child can and cannot do in everyday life do not ignore parents’ observations; they are valuable take into consideration the family’s culture, customs, language, values & beliefs—they can influence a child’s performance on the tests the screening is only a “snapshot” of the child; they may not do well because of strange people administering the test, a strange situation, woke up too early, not feeling well, etc.

Early Identification… …Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Testing-EPSDT-(PL 90248) initiated in 1967 …can lead to prompt treatment, which can reduce the severity of the problem …helps in the prevention of secondary disabilities …is a priority for early childhood programs …allows for effective intervention

Case finding-the process of locating children in need of special services Child Find a program established in the 1960’s to identify children with developmental problems or delays usually offered through pediatrician offices, health bureaus, social service agencies main purpose is to screen children for delays The Teacher’s Role in Early Identification: conduct informal and formal objective observations have the knowledge of child development see the child in a natural environment spend a lot of time naturally observing children

Types of Observation Tools (text, pg. 252) Ø checklists Ø frequency counts Ø duration measures Ø anecdotal records Ø running records Ø logs, journals or diaries Ø time sampling Ø language samples Ø portfolio assessment

**ACTIVITY** Assessment Tools Take time to view various assessment tools presented on table (HELP, Peabody, ELAP, Rossetti, Sensory Profile, Transdisciplinary-Based, etc. ) Worksheet: “Assess the Skill” Using the Hawaii Early Learning Profile (HELP) Birth – 3 yrs old and 3 -6 years old, students will get into pairs and complete the worksheet by matching the developmental skill with the correct discipline and the age range of each skill. Go over answers together. If time permits, show the list of assessment instruments from Developmental Profiles book

K-W-L Chart What I Know… What I want to Know… IFSP IEP What I’ve Learned…

Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) Due to Part C of the IDEA, the IFSP has been implemented to provide early intervention services for children birth to three years old. The purpose of the IFSP is: to create a collaborative effort between families and professionals to identify priorities, resources and concerns to plan, implement and evaluate services Highlight article entitled “Guidelines for the Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) Under Part C of IDEA” from Learning Disabilities Association of America website.

The IFSP Team child’s parent/family advocates the family may have any community members who have a direct connection with the child during intervention sessions service coordinator professionals (therapists) working with the child

Family Members’ Role in the IFSP answer questions regarding child’s behavior sign the parental consent for the child to receive further assessments essential in identifying priorities and functional skills as related to the child and the family take ownership of their child’s goals invited to be as active as they wish have the right to practice confidentiality

Supporting the Family’s Role in the Assessment Process ü provide the family with choices in the assessment process ü conduct assessment in natural environment ü avoid professional “talk” ü present information in a strengths-based and family- friendly manner ü provide time for questions ü provide information on child development, the child’s disability and/or legislation (their rights) ü provide any other resources that they may be interested in (i. e. respite) ü encourage participation of extended family & other family supports (according to Woods and Mc. Cormick, 2002)

An IFSP needs to be evaluated every year, with a review occurring every 6 months. The purpose of the evaluation and review is to evaluate the progress of the child and family relating to the objectives stated in the IFSP. At this time, the IFSP is updated and rewritten.

Individualized Education Program (IEP) Highlight article entitled “The Individualized Education Program (IEP)” from Learning Disabilities Association of America website. The IEP is a document required through IDEA designed for any student, ages 3 -21, who is eligible for special education services. The main focus is switched from the child and family (IFSP) to the child and school (IEP).

The IEP Team child’s parent/family professionals (therapists) working with the child advocates the family may have any community members who have a direct connection with the child during intervention sessions a representative from the intermediate unit special education teacher a general education teacher

Requirements of the IEP The completed IEP includes statements about: the child’s present levels of performance & skills developed long-term (annual) goals & short-term goals for the child special services to be provided & starting dates accountability (evaluation) to determine whether objectives are being met when & where inclusive programs will be provided

Writing IEP Goals “SMART” IEP goals are developed to be: Specific Measurable use Action words Realistic & relevant Time-limited An IEP goal should answer 6 questions: Who? (the student) What? (observable behavior) When? (date in time) Given what? (conditions) How much? (mastery) How will it be measured? (data)

Teacher Input Throughout the IEP Process The teachers: participate in the assessment of the children participate in the adaptation and modification of the environment & activities participate in the development of the IEP carry out the IEP participate in the evaluation process and the ongoing evaluation of appropriateness of the child’s program

Involving Parents in the IEP Silently read article entitled: “Involving Parents in the IEP Process” by Stephen Smith.

**ACTIVITIES** Watch video: The First IEP Parent Perspectives (13: 15 -28: 06). See Table 10. 1 (pg 276) for Comparative Table for IFSP, IEP, 504 plans Share example of sample IFSP/IEP form and annotated form. Review the document.

** HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS** Bring in photo(s) of family for next class. Using annotated IEP handout, complete ER/IFSP/IEP Scavenger Hunt (#’s 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 only) to get familiar with this document. Read article: “Rights & Responsibilities of Parents of Children with Disabilities. ” Read Chapter 9 (select pages on syllabus); print out Power Point lecture notes