Can anyone share some of their experiences assessing students with disabilities using informal and behavioral?

Question

Can anyone share some of their experiences assessing students with disabilities by using informal and behavioral assessments?

Answer 1

Informal assessment usually are anecdotal observations observations of students without any scientific approach (in terms of manipulating variables or using a scoring rubric). Informal evaluations usually consist of student interviews, observations in their natural environment, asking others past experiences with that student, interviewing parents.

Behavioral assessments involve data collection and observation. Examples are direct observation, collection of ABC data, Functional Analysis, Functional Behavior Assessments. Also, there are pen and paper evaluations such as the FAST or MAS. But, they all usually take into consideration the cause or the "function" of behavior.

Answer 2

I have just done informal observations that we was required to do when I worked as a BD aide. I watched how the students interacted with each other, their attention span, acting in a social and age appropriate way, as while as other behaviors.

Answer 3

Behavioral look for what may have caused certian behaviors like,,, Maybe the teacher touched his shoulder and tells him to sit down and he starts to scream. What was he doing before? Will he do this if she doesnt touch him? Or was it the word choice.  One child in K would stare at a color page that was close to his desk hanging on the wall.. When the teacher went to move it with the other pages on the windows he would do nothing but scream until she moved it back. Would not tell her why... I think he used it as a visual stim to help him focus..

Answer 4

Usually a trained professional does the assessment in their area of expertise. For example, a child might be assessed by a speech language therapist (speech), occupational therapist (kinesthetics), psychologist (learning & behavior), typically in a formal way.

A teacher or teacher's aide can compare performance and behavior among peers, and can fill out rating scales (such as Connor's for ADHD).

Assessing students for disabilities is a difficult task. So many neurological, health, and social issues can look like one thing where they are something else.  Hopefully, you aren't being asked to assess children without adequate resources and support--which would open you up to liability. If you don't feel confident, I'd include "this is my informal opinion, not a medical opinion" on anything you write.

Hope this helps.