AT Evaluation and Assessment

These are the items  that agency directors/administrators rated on a scale of 1 (never) to 5(always) for the Child Evaluation and Assessment area. Scores represent the percentage of agreement between state and expert ratings.  Higher percentages reflect higher agreement with the experts.
  1. At least one professional on the evaluation team has an in-depth knowledge of a range of devices (i.e., both low and high-tech devices).
  2. Parents are provided with opportunities to discuss their concerns and experiences with AT devices with the professionals on their children's teams..
  3. EI Professionals ask parents what type of AT devices they think might be useful for their child.
  4. Cultural or family traditions are considered during decision-making about AT.
  5. Written recommendations for an AT device include a description of expected benefits for the child's use of that particular device.
  6. Team members document strategies that can be used to teach children how to use devices in various settings.
  7. Team members gather information about each setting in a child's natural environments (e.g., childcare; home; park) for consideration about how AT may be used in those environments..
  8. AT evaluations tend to follow a specific formula across all children.
  9. Professional team members are responsible for deciding on the next step after an evaluation for AT use has been conducted.
  10. Information about a child's AT needs is obtained only at an initial evaluation meeting.
  11. Environmental checklists are used in a child's home, or other natural settings (e.g., childcare, community program) to assess how AT would fit into the physical and social aspects of those environments.
  12. A team of specially-selected professionals conducts evaluations that are related only to AT.
  13. The team making decisions about AT use includes interdisciplinary personnel.
  14. The strengths and responsibilities for each AT team member are understood by all members.
  15. As part of the assessment process, a parent has the opportunity to try out devices being considered for use with their child.
  16. Devices to be used with a child are discussed in a team meeting that includes parents.