Module II: Evaluation and Assessment
Unit I Lesson 2: Screening
Now that we know who the key players are, let’s examine where we are in the First Steps process.
Click on the above graphic for the "Bubble Chart" that will take you through the FS process. Please pay special attention to the columns "Intake" and "Evaluation/Assessment/Eligibility Determination."
In our discussion of the process, we are currently at the intake step. The referral has been made and the intake has been initiated by the service coordinator including written parental consent to proceed with the multidisciplinary evaluation and signed releases of information to request existing information about the child. If necessary, the service coordinator will discuss the selection of provider(s) for evaluation and assessment with the parent(s). At this point, the service coordinator may also request existing screening and other information to aid in the eligibility determination decision. Let’s take a look at what a screening is and who may conduct a screening.
A screening is a brief assessment procedure designed to identify children who should receive a more intensive diagnosis (evaluation). Screening is designed to help infants and toddlers who are at risk for developmental problems receive intervention services as early as possible. While formal screening is not required, if a child is referred and has not had a physical health screening or well-baby check up according to the nationally approved periodicity schedule, the family should be encouraged to and assisted in obtaining an appropriate screening(s) before scheduling any evaluations(s) and/or assessment(s). Some resources for screenings are Parents as Teachers (PAT) educators, well baby clinics at county or local health departments, and the child’s pediatrician. However, screenings may not always be feasible because it may prevent the System Point of Entry (SPOE) from meeting the 45-day timeline for completing the evaluation and conducting the initial IFSP meeting (SPOEs have 45 days from the date of referral to complete the evaluation and hold the IFSP meeting for an eligible child).
Screenings:
1) can be performed as a large scale, one-time procedure designed to identify young children considered at risk or those children who will possibly need services to aid their development,
2) compare the child’s performance to a standardization sample or norm group consisting of children of the same ages but without disabilities, and
3) answer the question: “Does the child need further evaluation?”.
It is important to remember that results of a screening are used in concert with other information including the reason for referral, parent interview, existing medical or other information, etc., to make eligibility determinations.
A screening is a “snapshot”, not a diagnostic step; and may not solely be used to determine eligibility; nor are these results valid for use in IFSP development.
The purpose of a screening is to determine if the suspicion of eligibility/delay is warranted before proceeding further to formal assessment activities.
Essential components of the screening process are:
- Sensitive attention to parental concerns
- Thoughtful inquiry about parental observations
- Observations of a wide variety of the child’s behaviors
- Examination of specific developmental attainments
- Use of all encounters for observing and recording developmental status
- Screening of vision and hearing to rule out sensory impairment as a cause of the delay, and
- Observation of parent-child interaction.
For more detailed information on screening, please read now “The Purpose of Screening” section in Chapter 5 of the Practice Manual by clicking here . Chapter 5 of the Practice Manual will give you the operational guidelines that govern how these activities are carried out.
Review questions:
1. What happens before intake?
2. Who does the service coordinator talk with about who will be selected for the evaluation and assessment?
3. What is the purpose of screening?
4. What are the essential components of a screening?
5. From referral to IFSP meeting, how many days does the SPOE have? What MUST happen in between?
Reflection quesions:
1. How are the family needs respected during intake?
2. How is the FS screening process different from a medical screening?
3. What is the purpose of screening?
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If you have a question about this module please check the Q & A pages. If you still have a question after reviewing the Q & A pages please send an email to: webreplyspefs@dese.mo.gov or call 573.751.0187