ASSESSMENT: What does it mean

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ASSESSMENT What does it mean?

• Jo Ford
• TASC
• The Spastic Centre
• September 2007

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Introduction

• Who is TASC
• Assessment Framework
• Useful resources

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Who is TASC?
Technology solutions for computer Access, Seating
and Communication
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TASC Consultative Service Types

• Speech Pathologists and Occupational Therapists
• Technology and seating enquiries phone/email
• Training and information sessions
• Bi-monthly newsletter (TechnoTalk)
  http//www.thespasticcentre.com.au/news/index.htm
  
• Equipment loan pool
• Client appointments (for complex needs)
• Medicolegal assessments

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How TASC Delivers Services

• Provide services NSW/ACT
• Community appointments (if required)
• Consultative
• Work with client and local team to explore
  technology solutions
• Goal Driven
• Follow-up/Support
• Referrals taken over the phone
• http//www.thespasticcentre.com.au/services/servic
  es-tasc-referral.htm

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TASC Contact Details

• Tel [phone]
• Email tasc_at_tscnsw.org.au
• Web www.thespasticcentre.com.au/services/services
  -tasc.htm
• Address 189 Allambie Rd, Allambie Heights 2100
• PO Box 184 Brookvale 2100

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DET/Northcott/TSC MOU

• Commenced January 2006
• Notional allocation of funds to each DET region
• Funding for assessments and training
• Referral request by Student Support Coordinator
• Centralised referral to CATS and TASC

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Assistive Technology Assessment

• The SETT Framework (Joy Zabala)
• S for the Student or Self
• E for the Environment
• T for the Tasks
• T for the Tools needed for the student to
  address the tasks.
• http//atto.buffalo.edu/registered/ATBasics/Found
  ation/Assessment/sett.php

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SETT Framework

• Step 1 Collect InformationStep 2 Generate
  SolutionsStep 3 Implement Plan / AT Trial
• Step 4 Integrate AT into Students Plan

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SETT Stage 1 Collect Info

• The Student/Self
• What are the students goals? What is it that
  they need to be able to achieve or do?
• NB Important to get a shared understanding
• across entire team.
• What has been tried in the past?

Remember Assessment is an ONGOING and DYNAMIC
process
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SETT Stage 1 Collect Info
Students strengths and limitations
THE STUDENT
BIOMECHANICAL
INTER - PERSONAL
INTRA - PERSONAL
SENSORY MOTOR
COGNITIVE SKILLS
Occupational Performance Model
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SETT Stage 1 Collect Info

• The Environment
• Who works with the student?
• What support is available and what is the
  technical experience of the support team?
• How is the physical and sensory environment set
  up?
• What tools does the school already have? Does the
  staff need training?
• What are the attitudes and expectations?

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SETT Stage 1 Collect Info

• The Tasks
• What tasks / activities does the student need to
  do?
• Can the activities be adapted?
• What tools does the student already have? What
  are they familiar with?

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SETT Stage 2 Generate Solutions

• The Tools
• Are assistive technologies or other strategies
  required for the student to achieve their goal or
  complete tasks they need to do?
• What no tech, low tech, and high tech options
  should be considered? Use the KISS principal
  technology is not always the best way forward.
• What are the features of AT necessary to meet the
  students needs?
• Will modifications be necessary?
• What strategies might be used?

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SETT Stage 3 Implement Plan

• Assistive Technology (AT) trial in environment
• Clear expectations of trial outcome
• Collect subjective and objective information from
  the trial eg. GAS
• Consider student and environment in trial
  evaluation
• Document this information for later use in
  funding submissions etc.

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SETT Stage 4 Integrate AT In Plan

• Implement as part of students action plan (this
  could be part of their IFSP, IEP or other plan)
• This implementation might include a lead time
  where you await funding etc.
• Training Who and when?
• Ongoing support Who and when?
• Review Who? What? When?
• Reassess

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Summary

• AT has the potential to enhance students
  participation in the curriculum
• Each student has unique goals, skills and
  learning environments
• Assessment is an ongoing process
• Collaborative approach to collecting information
  and goal setting
• Consider no tech, low tech, high tech solutions
• Trial AT in environment
• Ongoing training and support

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References

• Zabala, J (1996). SETTing the stage for success
  Building success through effective selection and
  use of assistive technology systems, get SETT for
  successful inclusion and transition.
  http//www.joyzabala.com