Developmental Assessment for Individuals with Severe Disabilities

Description

Ages: 6 months through adulthood
Testing Time: 2 to 3 hours
Administration: Individual
Qualification Level: B

The DASH-3 is a criterion-referenced measure of specific skill levels in persons of all ages who have severe and/or multiple physical/sensory disabilities, including persons with severe and profound intellectual disability ( mental retardation ) and autism spectrum disorders. The scales are also appropriate for individuals with mild to moderate disabilities; those who have single disabling conditions (e.g., individuals with visual impairment or paraplegia), and children who are functioning chronologically from birth to 6 years of age.

The DASH-3 (1) provides an initial assessment for intervention planning, (2) tracks individual progress for persons with severe and/or multiple disabilities aged 6 months through adulthood, and (3) evaluates individuals with other types of disabilities who require a detailed assessment for intervention planning. At intake, the DASH-3 can be used to estimate developmental level, analyze developmental strengths and weaknesses, select skills most ready for targeted intervention, and determine types of support needed by the individual (e.g., assistance from others, visual supports, modified equipment). It can be used to develop educational and therapeutic intervention plans, such as Individual Education Plan (IEPs) and Individual Family Support Plans (IFSPs). For a comprehensive assessment, all five scales will be required; however, the specific clinical or referral questions may require administration of fewer scales (e.g., a speech pathologist may choose to only administer the Language Scale).

Because the DASH 3 items identify specific behaviors and scoring criteria describe graduated levels of support, it may be used to track progress with targeted skills, so that timely changes may be made to the individual s intervention program (e.g., promoting a greater level of independence with a particular skill, targeting a new skill). Also, the DASH-3 may be re-administered at different times (e.g., at one-year intervals) to track general developmental change. For individuals who move often, the DASH-3 may transition with the individual, so that appropriate goals, interventions, and recent performance data continue without having to wait for an assessment to be conducted or intervention priorities to be determined.

1. Cumulative Summary Sheet Scores from up to three DASH-3 administrations can be recorded on this sheet. This summary sheet allows the examiner to quickly compare performance across each of the five scales, as well as to evaluate progress over time. This form also provides an opportunity to estimate the individual s overall developmental age level by averaging the five scale scores.
2. Intervention Planning Worksheet This form provides a basis for identifying skills most appropriate for intervention for up to three administrations of the DASH-3. It allows for easy identification of skills that could not be determined due to task resistance, skills performed independently, and skills that are considered priorities for intervention.
3. Comprehensive Program Record This form is used to document the individual s ongoing progress in achieving targeted skills through recording of performance level data across weeks. This form provides the basis for making timely decisions regarding intervention for each targeted skill (e.g., changes regarding instructional strategies, adaptive supports).

COMPLETE DASH-3 KIT INCLUDES Examiner s Manual, 25 Comprehensive Program Record Forms, 25 Intervention Planning Worksheets, 25 Cumulative Summary Sheets, 10 Academics Scales, 10 Activities of Daily Living Scales, 10 Language Scales, 10 Sensory-Motor Scales, and 10 Social-Emotional Scales.