intro to observation and screening

The third guideline is to

)be honest and fair. Document children's development over time Observe or screen when children are at their best (three "A"s of health: appetite, appearance, and activity)(H.A.L.T. stands for Hungry Angry/Anxious Lonesome Tired) Conduct sessions in the child's natural setting with familiar staff Never observe or screen with the intent of confirming a suspicion

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all children be screened for developmental delays and disabilities during regular well-child doctor visits at

9 months, 18 months, and 24 or 30 months. However, observation of a child can begin at birth.

is a list of skills and abilities to be observed.

A checklist

count records how often a behavior happens.

A frequency

is used to measure a behavior, skill, or ability based on a series of quality points or a continuum.

A rating scale

is an account of what a child is doing as it is happening. ex: children's actions are recorded as they move between chosen activities.

A running record

The U.S. Department of Justice is a good source of information regarding both general and technical questions about the

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

A disorder that affects body movement and muscle coordination.

Cerebral Palsy

as failure to provide things necessary to sustain life, such as adequate food, clothing, shelter, health care, hygiene, and supervision.

Child neglect

may be diagnosed in children based on the way they process and use information and perform self-help skills

Cognitive or intellectual disabilities

which contains ten guidelines you should follow when screening children.

Developmental Screening, Assessment, and Evaluation: Key Elements for Individualizing Curricula in Early Head Start Programs, is a publication of the Task Force on Screening and Assessment of the National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (NECTAC) in collaboration with ZERO TO THREE,

A syndrome characterized by deformities in the joints, fingers, and limbs; atypical behavior; learning disorders; and cognitive impairment

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

A syndrome characterized by intellectual disability and behavior disorders; it is more prevalent and severe in males.

Fragile X Syndrome

Children who are at risk for abuse or neglect tend to:

Have parents who live in poverty, did not finish high school, abuse alcohol or other drugs, and/or do not have supportive relationships Be born prematurely, have a chronic illness or disability, and/or possess a characteristic identified by a parent as undesirable Live in communities that have high rates of poverty and violence and/or a cultural acceptance of abuse and neglect

Benefits of Screening:

Identify specific areas of concern Determine if further assessment or evaluation may be necessary Provide a basis for referral Empower parents with information to help them make decisions Present a basis for necessary and ongoing communication with parents and others

includes situations in which the child is deprived of emotional support, love, and attention, which causes a disorder called Failure to Thrive.

Neglect also

A disorder characterized by delays in motor development and seizures; it often appears in conjunction with a behavioral disorder.

Phenylketonuria (PKU)

The signs of neglect fall into the same two categories: physical and behavioral.

Physical signs of neglect include untreated medical conditions (major and minor), inadequate clothing, consistent hunger, and poor hygiene. Behavioral signs include fatigue, disinterest, stealing food, inability to trust, self-destructive behaviors, poor self-control, consistent absences or tardiness, or trying to take on adult responsibilities for other children.

determines if children are developing typically, identifies early signs of delay or disability, and provides a basis for referral.

Screening

is an ongoing process in which child care professionals use specialized observation and documentation tools to identify, document, and monitor typical development or possible developmental delay.

Screening

Family members are____________ in screening,

always involved sometimes as active participants.

Child care professionals do not

assess or evaluate children; however, they do provide information that is useful during the processes

Some screening instruments are completed by

by providers, others are completed by parents, and some involve providers and parents working in collaboration.

In observation and screening processes, your main responsibilities are to

document the child's skills and abilities fairly, objectively, and accurately; and work with families to refer children for further assessment and evaluation.

observation and screening describe how

early childhood professionals use certain methods to help them pay attention to the behavior and development of children under their care.

Child care professionals select screening tools based on quality considerations, such as

ease of use, accuracy (validity) affordability, availability, sensitivity, reliability, suitability of components, endorsements, and use of technology.

Assessment can lead to an

evaluation, which may qualify the child for benefits under IDEA.

What method would you use to identify behaviors to be addressed or accommodated?

frequency count

Like observation, screening should take place the goal is

in the child's natural environment with familiar people, and be performed when he or she is at his or her best. to document the child's skills and abilities fairly and objectively.

According to the CDC, children who are at the highest risk for developmental disabilities tend to be

male and living in poverty Such children are twice as likely to have a developmental disability as their peers. Other research shows genetics and physical environments play a role in putting children at risk for developmental delays or disabilities

Your role as a child care professional is

observation, screening, and referral

Observation and screening provide an opportunity for communication between

parents, staff, and child development specialists because they include written evidence of a child's growth and development over time.

The Florida Diagnostic and Learning Resource System (FDLRS), which is a

statewide organization that also conducts free developmental screening, primarily for young children;

The fourth guideline presented in this course is

to be focused Allow enough time to properly conduct a session Observe or screen one child at a time Pay attention to small differences and details Work methodically and thoughtfully

florida Office of Early Learning Child Care Resource & Referral Network (CCR&R),

which helps parents find child care that best meets their children's needs.

Use an anecdotal record to

write about the development of a skill or ability.

Name the developmental domains and cite examples of related skills and abilities.

yes

I am involving families

. You answer questions as you share results. You schedule confidential meetings to discuss results. You encourage parents to contact you with follow-up questions.

is a chronic condition that is diagnosed in childhood and substantially limits major life activities in adulthood, and impacts a child's abilities to perform activities in one or more developmental domain

A developmental disability

]records what activities a child chooses to do during a given time period, which is usually half an hour.

A time sample

is a product created by a child that becomes documentation of the development of a skill. can be two-dimensional, such as a drawing or writing sample; or three-dimensional, such as a sculpture. It could be a photograph or a video of a child building a block tower, or a recording of one singing a song or telling a story.

A work sample

is a narrative account of an event written shortly after it occurred it tells what a child did, when he did it, how he did it, and what happened afterward It does not contain references to emotions, feelings, or other details that cannot be measured.

An anecdotal record

is a process whereby an agency or organization gathers and reviews multiple sources of information about a child's suspected or confirmed developmental delay or disability, and uses that information to improve a child's outcomes.

Assessment

A disorder characterized by impulsivity and inattention, and in some cases, hyperactivity.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Ideally, the role of families in the screening process is to:

Be fully aware of the screening program and understand its purpose Consider screening a positive service Give written consent for their children to participate Provide information that could facilitate the interpretation of results Participate in the observation and screening process appropriately Meet with staff members in person to discuss screening results Pursue intervention services when they may benefit the child

Remember, child care professionals:

Do not diagnose children based upon these signs Identify and document indicators that they observe Report them as required by law Observe and screen regularly

is a genetic disorder characterized by distinct physical traits and intellectual impairments.

Down syndrome

Benefits of Assessment

Empower parents to help their child grow and develop Improve a family's ability to navigate a complex system of services Result in a referral for evaluation so eligible children may receive benefits they are entitled to under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, or IDEA, which is a federal law

After reading a child's file, a trained adult asks the child to perform specific tasks. The adult confirms the child has a developmental disability and therefore qualifies for programs and services, by federal law.

Evaluation

is a process that determines a child's eligibility for federal, state, and local programs and services.

Evaluation

Benefits of Observation

Facilitate curriculum development Guide developmentally appropriate practice Assist in providing individualized care Help share information with parents and others Reveal signs of abuse and neglect

Child care professionals in Florida refer families to the

Florida Diagnostic and Learning Resource System's Child Find when they feel intervention may benefit the child.

Child care professionals use the -----to find information about observation methods and tools used to perform observations.

Internet

Delays can occur in any developmental domain, but the most common ones occur in the

Language and Communication and Social and Emotional Development domains.

helps a program function at its best over several operational and functional areas.

Observation

is an ongoing process conducted by child care providers and others to document a child's growth and development.

Observation

is an ongoing process in which child care professionals recognize and document identifiable developmental milestones as they appear, using tools such as checklists, anecdotal records, and running records.

Observation

To use observation and screening to help children with developmental delays or disabilities, child care professionals:

Observe and screen regularly Watch for signs and changes Document professionally, over time, using a variety of methods Are familiar with Child Find Refer when appropriate Provide appropriate support during sessions

autism spectrum disorders, Down syndrome, and those related to cognitive/intellectual development.

Some common developmental disabilities

are used to document a child's ability to compare and contrast, solve a problem, classify objects, put things in sequential order, arrive at conclusions, and perform other skills.

Standardized tests Standardized tests

is a judgment error we make when we allow an overall impression of a person to influence the way we interpret his or her actions.

The Halo Effect

refers to a group of neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by social impairments, communication difficulties, and restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior.

The term "autism spectrum disorders" (ASD)

I am asking the right questions

You find out what languages are available. You know the tool's target age range. You learn how many items are screened.

I am selecting screening tools.

You look for accuracy, reliability, and sensitivity. You assess the program's current use of technology. You perform research to find suitable endorsements.

I am following guidelines and best practices.

You only use instruments for their specified purposes. You conduct screening sessions in natural settings. You are trained to conduct screening and observation sessions.

During a screening, you will identify and measure

a child's specific skills and abilities using a screening instrument.

Observation sessions should be performed by The goal is

a familiar person in the child's natural environment at a time when he or she is at his or her best. to allow the observer to document the child's skills and abilities fairly and objectively.

After reading a child's file, a trained adult asks the child to perform specific tasks. The information gained indicates the child may have a developmental delay or disability and could benefit from early intervention. The adult refers the family to a medical professional for diagnosis.

assessment

The first guideline is to

be informed -Review appropriate general information immediately prior to an observation or screening session. This includes: Developmental domains and milestones Information about the child's abilities and unique needs -Study the child's file. Look at: The results of previous observation and screening sessions Notes recorded by staff members All documentation provided by family members Samples of the child's work Use developmentally appropriate practice (DAP) when observing and screening a child to: Show sensitivity toward chronological, individual, social, and cultural experiences Help him/her behave naturally during an observation or screening session -Know how to use the observation or screening tool before attempting to use it. Be sure to: Read the instructions before the session begins Attend observation and screening training opportunities Keep up with changes in policy and procedure Never interrupt a screening session to read an instruction or ask a question about the tool

The second guideline is to

be objective and accurate They ensure observation and screening results are objective and can be measured, observed, and established as fact. p-Ensure observation and screening results do not reflect personal feelings -Set aside personal beliefs and consider only facts. Use developmentally appropriate practice (DAP) for each child, follow the law, and honor a professional code of ethics -Document all relevant information. Relevancy is determined by the observation or screening tool. Behavior not relevant to the current session may be documented later in another type of record. -Ensure documentation is correct and complete.

What method would you use to note the presence or absence of demonstrated skills and abilities?

checklist

In a quality program, results are carefully documented following set guidelines and written procedures. Methods of documentation include

checklists, anecdotal records, and running records.

The U.S. Department of Education is a good source of information regarding

children with special needs and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

Child care professionals observe and screen children so they can (3 main reasons)

facilitate the growth and development of every child in their program, detect early signs of developmental delay or disability, and identify signs of child abuse or neglect.

For screening to achieve its maximum benefit,

family involvement is necessary.

. Failure to report suspected abuse or neglect is a

felony of the third degree in Florida.

The local Child Find office would be a good agency to contact for

free screening and evaluation for hearing, vision, speech, behavior, and general development.

Child care professionals follow e.

guidelines and best practices during observation and screening sessions so results will be usablE

Child care professionals conduct their observations in an

informed, objective, accurate, honest, fair, and focused manner.

Observation, screening, assessment, and evaluation are

interrelated processes.

During an observation session, a trained adult

monitors a child as he or she demonstrates identified skills or abilities within a developmental domain' For example, a staff member observing children's growth and development in the Physical Development domain may document an infant's ability to roll over, a toddler's ability to walk, a preschooler's ability to kick a ball, and a school-age child's ability to use a swing.

Use developmental milestone charts to confirm a suspicion of delay

no Explanation: Child care professionals do not confirm or diagnose a suspicion of a delay. Instead, they use developmental milestone charts to help them, and families, better understand a child's growth and development.

Make a referral for evaluation.

no Explanation: In Florida, child care professionals refer families to the Florida Diagnostic and Learning Resource System's Child Find for assessment, which may result in them being referred to Children's Medical Services for evaluation of a delay or disability.

Assess a child for delay or disability.

no Explanation: In Florida, child care professionals refer families to the Florida Diagnostic and Learning Resource System's Child Find for assessment, which may result in them being referred to Children's Medical Services for evaluation of a delay or disability.

Use a checklist when the goal is to

note the presence or absence of demonstrated skills and abilities. The date the observation was made is often recorded, but usually nothing else is.

A trained adult watches a child for a half hour as she interacts with other children in the program. The adult documents the child's typical growth and development in the Social and Emotional Developmental Domain in the child's file, writes a note to the parents, and uses the information to plan future activities.

observation

A trained adult watches a child for a half hour as she interacts with other children in the program. The adult documents the child's atypical growth and development as called for in a tool's Social and Emotional Developmental Domain section, and makes plans to speak to a supervisor about a possible developmental delay or disability in this domain.

screening

They use people-first language, which is a method of

sentence construction that places people before any condition they have. "Sarah has autism," instead of referring to her as an autistic child. Similarly, they say, "Timothy is in foster care," instead of saying, "Timothy's a foster child."

Observing and screening child are also used to

support quality curriculum development; help parents support growth and development at home; allow timely referral for early intervention services; and provide a common reference point and basis for interaction between parents, program staff, and other professionals

Child care professionals choose their methods of observation based upon

the types of information they need to collect.

Use a running record to

track a child's choice of activities or behaviors over a short period of time.

Quality child care programs have

written policies and procedures about their observation and screening proces They outline, at the minimum, an orientation process for parents, methods of obtaining parental permission, planning for and scheduling sessions, documenting results, confidentiality, sharing results with others appropriately, communicating results to parents, and making referrals.

Refer families to the Florida Diagnostic and Learning Resource System's Child Find.

yes