Good afternoon coaches. My son is currently in a 12:1:1 kindergarten class with his part time ABA therapist. I have had a few encounters with his teacher stating he gives her a hard time when it comes to formal assessments but she knows he is capable of doing the work. Today she informed me he has a promotion in doubt because she can’t formally assess him and he isn’t fully verbal. She believes he should be in a different setting. However, I believe he can be assessed more than one way and him being fully verbal shouldn’t be cause for a promotion in doubt. Please advise.
Answer:
Hi there, First thing that comes to mine is the assessment appropriate for where he is at.
If your son struggles with traditional formal assessments, that’s not a reflection of his potential. It’s a sign the method of assessment needs to adapt, not your son.
You can advocate for:
Alternative assessment methods (e.g., visual supports, choice boards, video modeling)
Assessment through his strongest communication mode (gestures, AAC, pointing, etc.)
Functional assessments embedded in naturalistic routines
Ask for his ABA therapist to provide data or written support on his capabilities.
Use language like: “We are requesting that assessments reflect his functional communication and actual comprehension. He is demonstrating understanding, and we want that reflected in his placement and promotion consideration.”
Another gut him I'm getting is can someone else a supervisor perhaps step in and assist with the evaluation. If all agree he's capable then they need to accomodate where he is at to get a fair representation of his skills.
Let me know your thoughts.
Hi there, First thing that comes to mine is the assessment appropriate for where he is at.
If your son struggles with traditional formal assessments, that’s not a reflection of his potential. It’s a sign the method of assessment needs to adapt, not your son.
You can advocate for:
Alternative assessment methods (e.g., visual supports, choice boards, video modeling)
Assessment through his strongest communication mode (gestures, AAC, pointing, etc.)
Functional assessments embedded in naturalistic routines
Ask for his ABA therapist to provide data or written support on his capabilities.
Use language like: “We are requesting that assessments reflect his functional communication and actual comprehension. He is demonstrating understanding, and we want that reflected in his placement and promotion consideration.”
Another gut him I’m getting is can someone else a supervisor perhaps step in and assist with the evaluation. If all agree he’s capable then they need to accomodate where he is at to get a fair representation of his skills.
Let me know your thoughts.