Monitoring AT Efficacy

Brian W. Wojcik, MS. Ed., ATPSEAT CenterIllinois State University

What We Know:

•IDEIA requires that AT devices and services be ‘considered’ when developing IFSPs & IEPs

•AT consideration process should identify appropriate AT devices for children to perform targeted tasks

•Data collection regarding AT impact on skill development is necessary to make informed decisions both before and after AT implementation

Assistive Technology (AT): A Compensatory Intervention•Remember that effective AT

allows a student to perform a task that, without the AT, the student would not be able to do.

•Effective AT results in greater performance on a given task but may not result in a change in the skill level related to the task.

Concurrent Time Series

•Smith (2000) outlined a procedure referred to as the “time series concurrent and differential approach”

•Involves a series of measures taken over time of a student’s performance on a particular task both with and without the AT.

•Works best when consistent probes are used to measure and subsequently monitor progress.

Process Questions

•What are possible AT interventions? (Consideration)

•What tasks are involved?•What is the behavior to measure?

(Impacted Area of Performance)•What is the unit of measurement?•What is the measurement method?•What is the frequency of measurement?

Developing Probes

Observable, Measurable, Reliable, Targeted Behavior

Common Denominator(e.g., specific time period, number of available attempts)

Probe Frequency

•In General,▫Probes should be administered at a ratio of

5 to 1 (with AT and without AT)▫Probes are administered at a higher

frequency during a consideration phase than an implementation phase

What are the “AT Questions”?

•Consideration…▫Is AT needed?▫Is it a good initial match?▫How does one AT perform relative to

another AT?•Implementation and Evaluation

▫Is the AT Working Over Time?▫Does the AT Continue to be Needed by the

Student?

Let’s look at some scenarios…

Thinking about the potential ‘match’ of AT

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AT Trial Phase

Consideration

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AT Trial Phase

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AT 1

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AT 3

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AT Trial Phase

Investigating the efficacy of AT over time

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Implementation and Evaluation

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Implementation and Evaluation

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Implementation and Evaluation

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Implementation and Evaluation

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Implementation and Evaluation

Benefits of Concurrent Time Series•Allows for Data Based Decision Making

▫Provides support for initial need for AT▫Ensures that the reletive effectiveness of

AT over time can be monitored▫Monitors any ‘side effects’ that may occur

during AT use•Once established, easy to monitor over

time

Using the Tool!

•http://www.seat.ilstu.org/excel

Questions