Assessment Eligibility Chart
Identify the eligibility/assessment criteria for TWO of the 14 special education eligibility categories found at 34 CFR 300.8(c) following disabling conditions:
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Deaf-Blind
Deafness
Developmental Delay
Emotional Disability
Hearing Impairment
Intellectual Disability
Multiple Disabilities
Orthopedic Impairment
Other Health Impairment
Specific Learning Disability
Speech/Language Impairment
Traumatic Brain Injury
Visual Impairment
Summarize the eligibility criteria and process for the two disability designations of your choosing. Compare and contrast the two. Describe the pros and cons of the eligibility criteria and process. How might bias impact who is/is not diagnosed?
Sample Solution
Eligibility and Assessment Criteria: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) vs. Specific Learning Disability (SLD)
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Eligibility:
- A documented pervasive developmental delay with onset before age 3.
- Deficits in social communication and interaction skills across multiple contexts.
- Restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, activities, or stereotypies.
Assessment:
- Multidisciplinary evaluation involving a team of qualified professionals (e.g., psychologist, speech-language pathologist).
- Standardized assessments and observations may be used.
- Consideration of individual cultural and linguistic backgrounds is crucial.
Pros:
- Comprehensive approach to assess core areas of difficulty in ASD.
- Focus on early identification and intervention.
Full Answer Section
Cons:- The process can be time-consuming and expensive.
- Standardized assessments might not fully capture the nuances of ASD in culturally and linguistically diverse populations.
- A documented severe discrepancy between intellectual potential and academic achievement in one or more areas (e.g., reading, written expression, mathematics).
- Discrepancy not due to other disabilities, cultural or economic disadvantage, or inadequate instruction.
- Individualized evaluation by a qualified professional, often a school psychologist or learning specialist.
- Use of standardized tests, curriculum-based assessments, and observations.
- Streamlined process compared to ASD evaluation.
- Focused assessment on academic skills.
- Limited scope may miss underlying reasons for academic difficulties.
- Reliance on standardized tests might disadvantage students from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
- ASD assessment is more comprehensive, focusing on social communication and behavior in addition to academics, while SLD assessment primarily focuses on academic skills.
- ASD diagnosis requires a documented developmental delay before age 3, while SLD diagnosis can occur at any time when a discrepancy is identified.
- Cultural bias in standardized testing can lead to misdiagnosis or underdiagnosis of students from certain backgrounds in both ASD and SLD.
- Limited access to qualified professionals can disadvantage students in low-income areas.