ACE AssessmentACE Assessment

The ACE CentreThe ACE Centre

Aiding Communication in

Education

Assessment, training, research,

software development…

Centres in Oxford and Oldham

CAPCAP

Communication Aids Project £10 million for two years 2000 – 2005 Has resulted in our assessment

process being more flexible Emphasis on developing skills

amongst local team

PresentationPresentation

Pre-assessment

Assessment process

Post assessment

Pre - assessment planningPre - assessment planning

a vitally important part of our assessment process

Collecting InformationCollecting Information

Phone calls (to parents, school, therapists)

Background information form

Background InformationBackground Information

Interests Motivation Sensory abilities (hearing, vision, perception)

Communication Seating and positioning Mobility Education Use of technology Medication

Collecting Information Collecting Information cont’dcont’d

Pre-assessment visits / meetings

Video conferencing

Video

Video GuidelinesVideo Guidelines

10 minutes Interacting with other children

Interacting with adults

Close up of AAC system

Child in activity / discussion

Computer use

Child in seating / wheelchair

Fine and gross motor control away from computer

Using speech / vocalising

Pre-Assessment Video Pre-Assessment Video of Child using Big Mack of Child using Big Mack

and One Step was and One Step was shownshown

VenueVenue

School

ACE Centre

Home

somewhere else…

Preparation of activities Preparation of activities and equipmentand equipment

Fun and motivating based on information gathered

regarding the young person’s likes and interests

ACE assessment planning form

Assess plan for …………….. Date ……………..

What we want to learn about the young person

Activity

Equipment required …………….

Summary of pre-Summary of pre-assessment planningassessment planning

Time-consuming….

BUT WORTH IT!

Video very valuable

The AssessmentThe Assessment

Our Assessment TeamOur Assessment Team

Speech & language therapist

Occupational therapist

Teacher

Others InvolvedOthers Involved

Parents / carers

Child’s local therapists

Other specialists

Class teacher & teaching assistant

LEA advisory teachers

Education officer / funder

Set-up at the ACE CentreSet-up at the ACE Centre

Assessment room

Observation room

Video link

Frequent interaction between the two rooms

Other venuesOther venues

Two linked rooms are ideal!

When its not possible…

We try not to crowd the young person

We try to take video to share with others

Flexible attendance during the day

Goals of the AssessmentGoals of the Assessment

Control of technology accuracy and efficiency – maximum output for

the minimum physical input

seating and positioning

environment, computer, communication

Access to learning and the curriculum

Communication low and high tech

Assessment ActivitiesAssessment Activities

Fun, motivating,

interesting for the youngster

Experience success

Dressing Up!Dressing Up!

Secret DrawingSecret Drawing

Making ChoicesMaking Choices

Assessment Video of child Assessment Video of child directing father to read him a directing father to read him a

poem using auditory scanning on poem using auditory scanning on a dynavox with two head switchesa dynavox with two head switches

SoftwareSoftware

Photo of child using Touch Games Photo of child using Touch Games software with joystick and switchsoftware with joystick and switch

Story writingStory writing

Using the TelephoneUsing the Telephone

Using the Telephone Using the Telephone cont’dcont’d

Playing with Infra-red Playing with Infra-red toystoys

Assessment Video showing child Assessment Video showing child playing with Robosapien using playing with Robosapien using

DV4 in place of the remote controlDV4 in place of the remote control

Robosapien PageRobosapien Page

RobosapienRobosapien

Other activities…Other activities…

Musical statues

Simon Says

Joint story-telling

Mr Potato Head

Guessing games e.g. Guess Who

Etc.

A few principlesA few principles

Flexibility!

Child centred

We ask & listen throughout the assessment

Team working

Cross boundaries

Discussion time

Regularly, throughout day, with everyone

Post AssessmentPost Assessment

The ReportThe Report

Detailed working document Draft versions shared with local team and

parents if appropriate Important as so much takes place during

the assessment May include:

Diagrams Photos Screen shots

Maxess TrayLargeRed Switch

LargeMaxess Wedge

Jelly bean switch

Medium Maxess Wedge

Position of left hand

Example diagram…Example diagram…

Loan of equipmentLoan of equipment

ACE (or CAP) loan library

VOCA suppliers

Sale or return

Follow-upFollow-up

Decided at initial assessment

After a follow-up phone call / video received

further assessment

training

Support for local teamSupport for local team

Information days

Video conferencing

Emails

Phone calls

SummarySummary

Pre assessment, assessment and post assessment stages very flexible!

Moving towards a ‘modular approach’

Teamwork

Child centred