Clinical Sampling in the Assessment of Young Children with Handicaps

Abstract

Preschool children display patterns of development and behavior that frequently limit the use of formal and standardized evaluation procedures. Sensory and motoric impairments and speech/language disorders further compromise the utility of such measures. Based on direct experience, an alternative strategy for the assessment of young children with handicaps is proposed. Brief clinical sampling is used to document developmental skills. This information may be used as the basis for making structured judgments regarding development. In the context of skill hierarchies, this information is useful in designing programs for intervention. Principles and techniques of brief clinical sampling are described. Examples of the applications of brief clinical sampling with a young child with handicaps are given.

References

Bagnato, S.J. , & Neisworth, J.T. (1985). Assessing young handicapped children: Clinical judgment versus developmental performance scales. International Journal of Partial Hospitalization, 3, 13–21.

Bagnato, S.J. , & Neisworth, J.T. (1989). Developmental system to plan early childhood services. Circle Pines, MN: American Guidance Service.

Bagnato, S.J. , Neisworth, J.T. , & Munson, S.M. (1989). Linking developmental assessment and early intervention: Curriculum based prescriptions (2nd ed.). Rockville, MD: Aspen.

Brigance, A.H. (1978). Brigance diagnostic inventory of early development. Worcester, MA: Curriculum Associates.

Brown, S.L. , D'Eugenio, D.B. , Drews, J.E. , Haskin, B.S. , Lynch, E.W. , Moersch, M.S. , & Rogers, S.J. (1981). Preschool developmental profile. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan.

Paget, K.D. , & Nagle, R.J. (1986). A conceptual model of preschool assessment. School Psychology Review, 15(2), 154–165.

Piaget, J. (1952). The origins of intelligence in children. New York: International Universities Press.

Rogers, S.J. , Donovan, C.M. , D'Eugenio, D.B. , Brown, S.L. , Lynch, E.W. , Moersch, M.S. , & Schafer, D.S. (1981). Early intervention developmental profile. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan.

Simeonsson, R.J. (1986). Psychological and developmental assessment of special children. Boston: Allyn & Bacon.