Nettie’s N ickel 4 Comprehensive AT Report Writing 2 Support a District’s Offer of FAPE

1. Nettie Fischer, ATP July 22, 2014 Nettie’s Nickel 4 Comprehensive AT Report Writing 2 Support a District’s Offer of FAPE

2. Your Report Template If possible, use Microsoft word option that support locked text boxes and check boxes Cover page – Include as relevant • Pertinent referral information • Current support services • Description of AT services relative to the Educational Setting • Page 1 example of NettieT, ATP Consultants • Add footnote to support fluency and assessment identification Feel free to use and/or modify sample description of AT services

3. Your Report Template, cont. • Layout Report template to correspond with your AT questionnaire forms and your assessment process • Maximizes writing efficiency • Maximizes effectiveness of report • Summarize the focus of concern/area of need noted • Information provided in assessment plan, consult and pre-evaluation questionnaires/forms. • Note interventions explored and/or currently in place • Information provided in assessment plan, consult and pre-evaluation questionnaires/forms.

4. Your Report Template, cont. • List sources of information that will be incorporated in the assessment process, Example: • The assessment process was completed at ______ School by ____Name, Title. • The assessment process consisted of the following: list all reviewed files, consultations, observations, etc. • All sources of information that will be referenced in your report • Assessment equipment and manipulatives • List all tools used in the assessment process • Note support persons that were available and their capacity

5. Your Report Template, cont. • Social and Education Background/History • Student background with reference to personal information, including but not limited to home setting, health issues, etc. • Education background information and current setting • Remember, the source of information is included in your list of reviewed paperwork, consultations and/or observations. • Observational Data • Note location, environment and activity • Note student participation • Comment – this is your interpretation of observed activities • Consultation/s • Note person. title and information. Consider a bulleted format to increase clarity and relativity to the assessment process

6. Your Report Template, cont. • Motor Abilities • Included if relevant to the area/s of need • Gross and fine motor skills • Sensory: • Vision – information gained from reviewed paperwork and relative to viability of the assessment process • Hearing – information gained from reviewed paperwork and relative to viability of the assessment process • Cognitive/Linguistic Abilities: • Relative to viability of assessment process with consideration to understanding tasks and responding both verbally and interactively

7. Assessment DATA The effectiveness of the assessment process is supported by the data collected during the assessment to address the targeted areas of need. Recommendation: • As functional, include copies of student’s samples compiled during the assessment process and relative to each area of need • Provide calculations as appropriate, e.g., Calculated Words Per Minute • Provide data as available of standardized and/or non-standardized norms • Assess and include data and norms of demonstrated skills relative to current format and the potential AT option – Handwriting vs. Keyboarding – Data based comparison

8. Assessment DATA, cont. Presenting data with a visual supports an understanding of the noted skills. Copy paste student assessment samples DATA is important

9. Assessment DATA, cont. Complete assessment sessions: • Areas noted in the assessment plan and pre-evaluation questionnaires • Current IEP Goals – Task not included in referral paperwork but AT options could support “Goal Met” • Check with Case Manger and/or classroom teacher • Include your rationale in the Summary

10. Validity of Assessment, (sample) Summary • Opening paragraph • Brief review of student, age, grade, IEP noted disability • Services currently in place to support the Educational setting

11. Summary, cont. Session Reviews and findings • Narrative of each session with calculated data and reference to standardized and/or non-standardized norms if applicable • Sequence of Reported information: Assessment sessions completed and reported in the same sequence support fluency and efficiency in completing the written report • Visuals with reference pages noted in the summary area, support understanding and rationale of narrative • Example: • Handwriting [Page 5] Data and narrative relative to assistive technology. • Keyboarding [Page 6] Date and narrative relative to assistive technology

12. Summary, cont. Handwriting • Important and relative information regarding the importance and value of handwriting resulting in the inclusion of the following language in my reports. Indicated source included as footnote

13. Recommendations • Opening Paragraph: Reference all sources of the gathered information: data, consultations, observations, review of files, IEP’s etc. • Include language similar to: “to support student’s access to the curriculum and the School District’s offer of FAPE in the area of Assistive Technology . .” [sample language]

14. Recommendations • Include the following: • IEP Team meet to review findings, • Review recommended AT options If required, AT Services be added to student’s IEP with service model and delivery style • List recommendations and if applicable note characteristics • If applicable, include an implementation plan to support the future use of a potential AT options • Include comment that notes the need for the student to “buy-in” to the suggested AT options • If your professional level of expertise support the need, include a 3 week trial period of recommended options to determine viability in the classroom setting • Include introductory training time to support the recommended AT options

15. Sample Implementation Plan Based on the Assessment findings and related to the area/s of need. This has proven to be beneficial when the findings indicate skill development to attain functional use of a target AT option. Please note: Sample Only

16. Sample Loaner Agreement & User Survey • The sample loaner agreement is designed to minimize loss of equipment • Establish a trial timeline • Support follow-up in a timely fashion Loaner Agreement Trial use Survey IMPORTANT: Training is NECESSARY to determine the viability of the trial equipment

17. Recommendations, cont. • When recommending the procurement of Assistive Technology products, you must provide a “Suggested goal” and objective. The calculated data is the goal identified baseline. • Recommendations: if functional attach to existing goal • Associate the goal to academics and documentation by appropriate service provider –e.g., handwriting – classroom teacher • When recommending products: Experience demonstrates the need to: • Include image of item • Include vendor, purchasing information • Dollar factors important for purchase but not relative to general report; provide 2 copies of report, Copy 1- District - with costs noted, Copy 2- General - no costs

18. A couple of “Free Websites” to support AT • Reading Comprehension Rewordify.com Textcompactor.com

19. Recommendations, cont. • Include a table to cover all District needs:

20. Writing Process Tips, The Wrap-up • Do not add information that is not documented in the report-  • Review Assessment Plan confirm all areas were assessed  • Include visuals if applicable of student’s work  • Include Data • Include suggested GOALS • Include list with purchasing information (prices for District) GOALS • If applicable, include implementation plan to address use of potential AT options  • You are ready to present and support your report to the IEP Team Nettie’s Nickel