Natalie Radke Informal Assessment SPED 440 Identify the Student: The student I will be assessing is MT.

MT is an 11-year-old male who has an intellectual disability. He is a fourth grade student at East Park Elementary School in Danville, IL. MT has very limited verbal speech, some sign language, and is learning how to use a device to communicate sentences to others. He performs well at physical tasks and has responded to the use of a task analysis in the past. MT responds positively to verbal directions however he is easily frustrated with academic tasks. When frustrated he will shout a mix of words that cannot be understood by staff or students. He will also move around in his seat, put his feet on the desk or turn his head away. When cooperative, he will repeat words when presented with a picture or verbal cue of the word and will enjoy working with the teachers and other students. The target skill of this assessment is hand washing. When given the verbal directions to wash his hands he goes to the sink in the back of the classroom. He completes the same steps correctly each day but he is missing some key points to successfully wash his hands.

Questions: What? Does MT wash his hands on his own or does he have to be told to do so? Why? So I know if I need to use verbal directions to initiate the task. Source: Ask the special education teacher

Answer: He understands that after using the washroom he is supposed to wash his hands. In the classroom, where he is being assessed, he needs to be told MT, go wash your hands, please. Once given this verbal prompt, he will proceed to the sink and begin

washing his hands. What? What does MT enjoy? Why? So I know what could be used as potential reinforcers. Source: Observe MT in the classroom

Answer: He responds well to a high-pitched voice. Due to his allergies, the only candy he can eat is Skittles, which he really enjoys. He also knows that when he is frustrated he should put his head on the table and take a break, he likes removing himself from a potentially stressful situation for a couple of minutes.

What?

Why?

Source:

Using a previously mastered This can be used to Observe MT completing the physical task (microwaving determine how long I should task and ask Special bacon for lunch), how many give MT when evaluating Education teacher. seconds does it take for MT while he washes his hands. between steps? Answer: After observing MT complete the task of microwaving his bacon for lunch it is clear that he does not need a lot of times between steps once he has mastered the task. From the ending point of one step to the beginning of the next it took MT about 2 seconds on average. When I asked Mrs. Cool and Jenny about the time he needed between steps she made it clear that he has been completing this task for quite some time and has become very proficient at the task. At the beginning he needed anywhere between 4-7 seconds from the ending point of one step to the beginning point of another step.

What? What steps of the task analysis does MT complete correctly? Incorrectly?

Why?

Source:

This data will be used to Task Analysis conduct a discover MT s strengths and few trials until data is weaknesses and will later be consistent. used when instructing MT on hand washing.

Procedure: y Give verbal directions. MT, go wash your hands, please. y Give MT one minute to walk to the sink. y Once at the sink, begin observing MT washing his hands according to the task analysis. y Score a + for steps completed correctly.

Score a for steps completed incorrectly or skipped. Give MT four seconds from the end of one step to start the next step. When he is done say Thank you, MT. Total the number of steps completed correctly in the bottom row of the task analysis chart. Results: Also see attached Task Analysis chart y y y y

Hand Washing Steps Completed Correctly

Steps Completed Correctly (outof 15) 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 Tuesday 1 Tuesday 2 Thursday 1 Thursday 2

Series 1

Sessions Observed

Answer: After assessing MT washing his hands using a task analysis it is clear that he struggles at certain points during the task. MT completes between 7 or 8 steps correctly out of 15 total steps each time he washes his hands. He understands that soap is a necessary ingredient for washing his hands. He also knows to turn the water on and off and dry his hands once he has finished washing his hands. The steps he does not complete accurately are the actual mid-steps of the task such as rubbing your hands together prior to rinsing off the soap. Summary: After observing MT wash his hands it is clear that he understands some steps and other steps he does not. When washing his hands he know that he has to put soap on his hands and then rinse the soap off. The important part his is missing however is that he has

to rub his hands together prior to putting them under the water and rinsing all of the soap off. MT completes this task with a lot of confidence, he does not portray that he is confused or completing the steps incorrectly. When told to go to the sink he does not take long to walk to the sink because he knows it will be lunch time/snack time after he washes his hands. If objects such as dishes or toys are in the sink he is easily distracted and will play with them and avoid washing his hands. If the sink is clear he washes his hands fairly quickly. Through my observations it is apparent that there are certain steps which MT ignores/skips in the process of washing his hands.

Instructional Objective: When given a verbal prompt or in a naturally occurring situation MT will be able to complete all steps of the task analysis with 100% accuracy every time the situation presents itself.

Rationale: Washing hands is a socially expected task, as well as a key part to leading a healthy life and avoiding cold and flu season. Learning to wash your hands is a necessary skill in order to become an independent individual and practice proper hygiene. Understanding when to wash your hands and how to wash your hands correctly can only benefit MT as he gets older. After learning to correctly wash his hands in the classroom sink, MT can generalize the skill and wash his hands at home, after using the bathroom, at a restaurant and in any other naturally occurring circumstance.