Assessment Links

The section on assessment includes actual tools your program can use for assessing the need for assistive technology and AAC for very young children with disabilities. There are articles included that describe a process for AT assessment that can be used to guide staff in developing local protocols for assessment and determination of the AT needs of young children. Included here is an assessment of staff confidence on AT use that can be used to gather perceptions of early intervention staff before and after they have attended any training or workshop on AT use with young children with disabilities.

Tools

1. TOTS-n-TECH Efficacy Scale: http://asu.edu/clas/tnt/AssisTechConfScale.pdf
   The TNT website provides an efficacy scale that can be used to measure providers and families perceptions of AT use with young children.
   
   
2. AT Guide, The Federation and Parents, Let's Unite for Kids, Billings, MO: www.pluk.org/AT1.html
   The guide was funded through a subcontract between the Federation and Parents, Let's Unite for Kids (Billings, Montana) from monies awarded to the Federation by the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services (OSERS), U.S. Department of Education. The document includes information on Technology, case studies, and suggested guidelines for investigating the need for assistive technology. This material is available upon request in alternative formats by calling: 406/255-0540 or email: plukinfo@pluk.org
   
   
3. SETT by Joy Zabala: www.joyzabala.com
   A process for assessment providing questions for teams to use when planning for AT services.
   
   
4. Lets Play AT Planning Framework(2004): http://letsplay.buffalo.edu
   Sue Mistrett discusses an AT framework for assessment that includes six steps for teams to consider when developing plans that include AT devices/services.
   
   
5. Website of Dr. Cynthia Cress: www.unl.edu/barkley/present/cress/cress.html
   Cynthia Cress is featured in this section of the University of Nebraska's website on AAC. She has developed several tools for assessment and intervention planning that demonstrate links to best practice in naturalistic communication and participation in natural environments for young children and families. The site provides a series of presentations by Dr. Cynthia Cress on early AAC assessment and intervention.
   
   

Process

1. EC Tech Integrated Instructional System, Western Illinois: www.wiu.edu/ectiis
   
   
2. Assistive Technology Training Online (Buffalo): http://atto.buffalo.edu/registered/ATBasics.php
   "Excellent beginning information including an introduction to assistive technology, technology for special populations, and adapting computers".
   
   
3. http://aac.unl.edu/yaack/toc.html#ch
   A section of Ruth Ballinger's YAACK website that provides extensive resources for families and professionals with young children with severe communication needs is devoted to the assessment process for the development of appropriate technology and communication intervention approaches.
   
   
4. Let's Play Assessment of Toys: http://letsplay.buffalo.edu/PROJINFO/info.html
   This website is very user friendly and includes many practical applications of AT for young children. The project was sponsored by USDOE, Early Education Programs for Children with Disabilities from 1998-2004 at the University of Buffalo, State University of New York, School of Public Health and Health Professions. The site includes play, selecting toys, universal design, AT, and resources.
   
   

Models

1. Sharon Judge (2002) Parent Partnerships: http://jset.unlv.edu/16.1/Judge/three.html
   This article provides researched based information about developing parent partnerships to increase AT use with infants and toddlers with disabilities.
   
   
2. Long (2003) Consortium Model: http://gucchd.georgetown.edu/topics/research_evaluation
   This paper reviews another assessment model including steps for creating a planning system for identifying and accessing AT services and devices for infants and toddlers with disabilities.
   
   
3. SETT: www.joyzabala.com
   A process for assessment developed by Joy Zabala providing questions for teams to use when planning for AT services.
   
   
4. RESETT: www.otap-oregon.org
   This is a State technical assistance site in Oregon. Gayle Bowser, the AT Coordinator for the State provides an adaptation to Joy Zabala's SETT assessment model.
   
   

Reports/Projects

1. Mistrett (2001) Synthesis on the Use of AT with Infants and Toddlers - Let's Play: http://letsplay.buffalo.edu/PROJINFO/info.html
   Sue Mistrett provides an article on AT use with very young children. The Let's Play site is very user friendly and provides specific information on AT devices using categories of play.