1. CHAPTER 7: Developmental Assessment
Assessing Students with Special Needs
Fifth Edition
John J. Venn
University of North Florida
© 2014, 2007, 2004 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved

2. Overview Definition and Description RtI in Early Childhood Screening
Diagnostic Scales
Specialized Instruments
Infant Assessment
Summary

3. Overview
Measures the growth and progress of young children from infancy through the primary grades
Uses the predictable patterns that children follow to determine if a child is developing at expected age levels according to the typical sequence of skill acquisition

4. Definition and Description
Measures the development of young children, especially infants, toddlers, and preschoolers
Uses developmental scales, which are checklists of skills arranged by age
The scales measure development in different learning areas including motor, communication, social, cognitive, and self-help skills

5. Definition and Description
Steps in the Process
What is normal development?
Is the child following the normal pattern?
If not, why are delays occurring?
What should be done about the delays?

6. Definition and Description
Principles
Predictable sequence
Most children follow similar patterns as they develop and learn
Teachable moments
Occur when a child is ready to learn a specific skill
Maturation
Learning new skills depends, in part, on maturation
Skipping Developmental Stages
Children with disabilities may skip certain skills or stages
Creates gaps in development or developmental delays

7. Response to Intervention (RtI)
Allows for immediate intervention and support
Uses curriculum-based measures to identify children with delays and to monitor progress
Focuses on benchmarks such as the early literacy skill of letter naming fluency
Relies on brief one and two minute weekly probes (tests) to gauge progress over time

8. Screening
Focus
Does a potential learning or behavior problem exist that requires further attention?
Alerts parents and professionals when a child has a potential developmental delay or learning problem
Relies on concise, abbreviated tests and evaluation procedures

9. Screening
Developmental Indicators for the Assessment of Learning, Fourth Edition (DIAL-4)
Widely-used, well-designed screening test
For groups or individuals from 2 to 5 years
Measures motor, concept, and social development, and language and self-help skills
Takes minutes to give
Identifies young children with potential delays who need further evaluation

10. Diagnostic Scales Provide comprehensive, in-depth evaluation Helps
Identify young children with disabilities
Provide young children with appropriate services
Develop individual plans
Measure progress

11. Battelle Developmental Inventory, Second Edition (BDI-2)
Diagnostic Scales
Battelle Developmental Inventory, Second Edition (BDI-2)
Norm-referenced, individually-administered
Measures personal-social, adaptive, motor, communication, and cognitive skills
For young children from birth to 7 years of age
Includes a screening test and a complete diagnostic inventory

12. Specialized Instruments
For young children with severe and multiple disabilities
Unique areas of assessment
Primary communication mode, medical stability, fatigue, and maladaptive behaviors
Characteristics of assessment instruments
Flexible administration procedures, provisions for partial credit, a wide sample of behaviors

13. Infants, Toddlers, and Preschoolers
Emphasizes the family unit
Includes a team approach with active participation of parents and medical professionals
The case history is a key evaluation element

14. Infants, Toddlers, and Preschoolers
Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third Edition (BSID-III)
Measures cognitive, language, and motor development, and social-emotional and adaptive skills
Age range from 1 month through 42 months
Features engaging test materials and easy to follow administration and scoring protocols

15. Summary
Includes a variety of appraisal techniques and instruments for very young children
Early assessment and intervention may prevent or reduce the severity of a disability