DCF Behavioral Observation and Screening

BOSR (6 hours)

Why do childcare professionals observe and screen children?

So they can facilitate the growth and development of every child in their program, detect early signs of development, delay or disability, and identify signs of child abuse or neglect.

Observation

an ongoing process in which child care professionals recognize and document identifiable developmental milestones as they appear using tools such as checklists, anecdotal records, and running records

Screening

is an ongoing process in which child care professionals use specialized observation and documentation tools to identify, document, and monitor typical development or possible developmental delay

Developmental milestones

are observable behaviors, traits, skills, or abilities that typically appear at specific age ranges

3 main reasons child care programs observe and screen children are to:

-foster growth and development
- detect early signs of delay
-identify signs of child abuse or neglect

Early intervention

a system of services that helps children who have a developmental disability or delay

Atypical

same as not typical or not expected

Mandatory Reporters

people that must identify themselves and must report suspected abuse or neglect

Documented evidence

written data collected by the program

Observation session

trained adult monitors a child as they demonstrate identified skills or abilities within a developmental domain, in their natural environment

Developmental Domain

Characterize children's skills and abilties

-Physical Health and Motor Development
-Cognitive Development and General Knowledge
-Language and Communication
-Social and Emotional
-Approaches to learning

Natural Environment

places the child would typically be such as home, the child care program, school, rather than a directors office or doctors office.

Developmentally Appropriate Practice

research based framework based on meeting children where they are individually, chronologically, and culturally

Individualized Care

attention paid to a child that recognizes and adapts to his or her unique character and physical emotional, and cognitive traits.

Screening Session

Trained adults identify and measure specific skills and abilities as indicated by a screening instrument

Screening takes place

recurrently using an instrument that is proven to be valid, accurate., and reliable

Family members involvement in screening

May be active or passive, but always involved

Benefits of Screening

-identify specific areas of concern
-determine if assessment or evaluation may be necessary
-basis for referral
-give info to parents to make decisions
-open ongoing communication with parents and others

Assessment

an agency or organization gathers and reviews multiple sources of info about a child's suspected or confirmed developmental delay or disability and uses data to improve a child's outcomes

Evaluation

procedures used by qualifies personnel that determines a child's eligibility for federal, state, and local programs and services

Role as a child care professional

Observation, Screening and Referral

Guideline

general course of action taken to achieve a desired result

Best Practice

specific action taken by experts in the field to achieve a desired result

Guidelines for Observation and Screening

Be informed, objective and accurate, honest and fair, focused

Objectivity

ability to set aside personal beliefs, values, opinions and biases, and consider only facts

Subjectivity

involves the application of one's point of view when determining a course of thought or action

Presumption

a belief about something or someone formed before experience shows it is true

Good Faith

moral concept that means to work with sincere intention of doing the right thing, with honesty and integrity and perform with best effort possible

Validity

screening instruments soundness and legitimacy

Correlated

related

Replicated

repeated

Involving families in the prcoess

-permission to screen
-enrollment info
-results of previous screenings
-health records
-family dynamics
-health issues
-written consent

Confidentiality

keeping personal info private

Quality programs have developmentally appropriate screening schedule for each child and share it with the parents. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends screenings at:

-9 months
-18 months
-24 months or 30 months

Child care professionals should:

select the right screening tools, ask the right questions, follow guidelines and best practices, involve families

checklist

a list of skills and abilities to be observed.

anecdotal record

write about the development of a skill or ability after it has occured

conversations

word for word accounts of what children said while being interviewed by a provider

can be phonetically, non verbal communication and body language also included

document children's ability to translate words into thoughts

documentation

everything in a child's file

in regards to observation- refers to records that help identify a child who may be at risk of maltreatment, delay, disability or to relay a suspicion of child abuse

frequency count

how often a behavior happens

identify how often behaviors to be addressed or accommodated

running record

write about what is happening while you are observing

standardized test

compare a child's development to other children of the same age. ability to compare contrast, solve problems, classify objects, put things in order, arrive at conclusions tested

time sample

document children's attention span. how much time they spend doing an activity

work sample

observe a child's skill by using a product they have created
can be 2d (drawing or writing) 3d (sculpture)

could be a photograph or video of child building or recording of them singing or telling a story

rating scale

used to measure behavior, skill, ability based on a series of quality points or a continuum

Child care professionals do not

diagnose

at risk

describe a condition or situation of vulnerability or of being in danger

at-risk

before a person or thing that is vulnerable or in danger

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

Mandates that children with disabilities receive a free and appropriate public education (FAPE)

Who is at risk for developmental delays/disabilities?

Males, living in poverty are at the highest risk for developmental delay or disability

Developmental disability

chronic condition that is diagnosed in childhood and substantially limits major life activities in adulthood, and impacts a child's abilities to perform activities in one or more developmental domain

Autism

a group of neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by social impairments, communication difficulties, and restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior

Down syndrome

a genetic disorder characterized by distinct physical traits and intellectual impairments

Genetic disorders

conditions that are due to an abnormality in the way a body's cells are structures. if it is genetic it is present at birth, even if not diagnosed at the time

Distinct physical

traits refers to similar facial and body features shared by people with down syndrome

Intellectual impairments

means that people with Down Syndrome may have a difficult time understanding and processing info

Self-help skills

are a wide variety of abilities that are useful in every day life. Also know as adaptive behavior or adaptive skills

ADHD

a disorder characterized by impulsivity, inattention, and/or hyperactivity

Cerebral Palsy

a disorder that affects body movement and muscle coordination

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

a syndrome characterized deformities in the joints, fingers, and limbs; atypical behavior, learning disorders; and cognitive impairment

Autism Spectrum

a group of disorders characterized by social and communication impairments and restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior

Cognitive Disabilities

disabilities that affects self-help skills and the way the brain processes info

Fragile X Syndrome

a syndrome characterized by intellectual disability and behavior disorders, more prevalent and severe in males

Bipolar Disorder

a disorder characterized by extreme mood swings and shifts in energy

Phenylketonuria (PKU)

a disorder characterized by delays in motor development and seizures, it often appears in conjunction with a behavioral disorder