Transcript Entry Multidisciplinary Evaluations: POLICY & Practice

The NC Infant Toddler Program:
Together We Grow
Policy information taken N.C. Infant-Toddler
Program Manual
POLICY & Practice
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COMPLETED BY AT LEAST 2
DIFFERENT DISCIPLINES.
Practice idea: Find out what may
concern the family most at this timeuse those disciplines (e.g., early
interventionist and PT). CSCs will
need to find out family concerns
PRIOR to evaluation. Combination of
DEC-ECI and/or private providers will
have to collaborate.
The North Carolina Early
Intervention Program
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Services for children ages birth-to-three are
coordinated at the state level by the Office of
Early Intervention, Division of Public Health,
Department of Health and Human Services
Services are available for children who:
– Have a developmental delay (20% or greater in
one or more developmental domain;
– Have known biological risk factors;
– Have three or more environmental risk factors;
– Are exhibiting atypical behaviors.
POLICY & PRACTICE
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MULTIPLE TOOLS/PROCEDURES
MUST BE USED: “Authentic assessment
entails observing, recording, and documenting
what a child is doing and how he does it.”
(NAEYC, 1991). Use observations, criterionreferenced measures (e.g., AEPS, HELP), and
routine-based assessment in a child’s natural
environments to determine developmental
levels child’s unique strengths & needs.
Families should help determine “natural
environments.”
North Carolina Early Intervention
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Service for children 3-21 years are
coordinated by the State Department of
Public Instruction;
Children must display a 30% delay in
one or more developmental domains,
and/or have a diagnosis of
“developmental delay.”
POLICY & Practice
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MUST IDENTIFY CHILD’S PRESENT
LEVEL OF DEVELOPMENT, UNIQUE
STRENGTHS & NEEDS.
Practice Ideas: Child does not have to
show a delay in order to qualify under
“at risk” categories. Child observation
and family interview help to determine
potential role of early interventionists for
at-risk children.
POLICY & Practice
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IDENTIFYING LEVEL OF
DEVELOPMENT, UNIQUE
STRENGTHS & NEEDS, continued:
Criterion referenced measures may be
used to determine percentage of delay
for DD category, give families more
opportunity to participate, and give
activity ideas.
AREAS TO BE ADDRESSED
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COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT
PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT (GROSS
& FINE MOTOR FUNCTIONING,
VISION & HEARING)
COMMUNICATION DEVELOPMENT
SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT
ADAPTIVE DEVELOPMENT
A Note About Developmental
Domains
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It is often very difficult to distinguish
behaviors in each of the developmental
domains, especially in prematurely born
children below the age of six months.
Observing and describing their
sleep/awake patterns, sucking and cry
quality, state regulation, and visual focus
is a good way to begin the ongoing
assessment process.
Must also include:
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“medical component which provides a
medical perspective of the child’s
development, including a review of
pertinent records related to the child’s
health status and medical history.”
Practice idea: If Medicine is needed-use
DEC medical personnel to address
multiple domains along with another
discipline.
POLICY & Practice
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“can involve use of previously
conducted evaluations, including
medical, if the evaluation(s) was
conducted within the past six months
and is readily available & complete.”
Practice Idea: Establish a relationship
with your NICU/SICC personnel!
Policy & Practice
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All evaluation procedures must be
administered in the native language or
other mode of communication of the
child and family. All procedures must be
racially and culturally sensitive.
Practice ideas: Obtain Smart Start
funding for cultural liaison. Conduct
focus groups to review assessment
procedures.
Other Requirements
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Parents must be given written prior notice
and written parental consent obtained
prior to evaluations and assessments of
the child;
Practice idea: Create a “family friendly”
notice and consent form.
Final thoughts...
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“The quality of any early intervention
program is based on the quality of its
relationships.” Zero-to-Three, 1999
A rose by any other name: assessment,
evaluation, intervention, services,
supports: Ongoing and linked!