Early Intervention Assessment Tool for Adapted Physical Educators

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) of 1986 Part C expanded the definition of “disabilities” to include children from birth to age 2 and their families and made them eligible to receive early intervention services. Included within these early intervention services was motor/physical development for infants and toddlers with developmental delays or at risk of delays. Currently, through IDEA approximately 350,000 infants and toddlers with disabilities are served. These intervention strategies for motor delays should be conducted by adapted physical educators. Further, adapted physical educators should also consider cognitive, language/speech, self-help skills, and emotional needs of the infant and toddler.

Shown below is an easy-to-follow assessment tool that adapted physical educators can use to identify possible delays and provides strategies for intervention. The assessment has physical, social, and language skills group by age appropriate expectations. Further, suggestions are given to help with intervention. For example, the assessment would identify a motor delay if a toddler 2 years old cannot stand and is just beginning to crawl. In this instance, intervention by an adapted physical educator could focus training on standing, cruising, and leg strength activities.

Physical Social Language Consultation & Intervention
The 1st Month Weight 7-8 lbs.

20 in. long

Eats 6-8 times a day

Movements are reflexive-sucking
Grasping

May sleep up to 18 hrs. a day

Responds to comfort and pain

May smile

Eye contact

Purposefully turns head or eyes to parent’s voice

Cries

Makes small throaty sound

Responds to voices

Provide prompt and immediate care

Nurture

Talk in complete sentences

Provide bright objects to look at

Prone or Supine position changes

Vestibular stimulation

The 2nd Month Can lift head when on tummy

Head more stable

May be awake 10 hours a day

Visually fixates on a face

Smiles at a face (specially family)

Shows distress, excitement, and delight

Enjoys bath

Cries

Coos

Grunts

Provide prompt and immediate care

Provide physical truck stimulation

Don’t leave alone

Change environment

Provide mirrors

Nurturing routines at bath, feeding, diapering

The 3rd Month Holds head up against surface to stand

Sits supported

Reaches and swipes at objects

Sleeping and eating more regulated

Plays with hands

Smiles more

Cries less

Recognizes parents

Coos

Whimpers

Gurgles

Squeals

Cries less

Provide prompt and immediate care

Show pictures

Give rattle or rings

Hang items on the side of the crib

Describe object

Teaching loop (respond & help facilitate actions)

Read and show pictures

The 4th Month Rocks on tummy

May roll from stomach to back

If pulled to stand extends legs and stands

Sits supported longer

Grasps-may hold small objects

Bring hands to midline

Shows anticipation

Quieted by music

May smile at self in mirror

Likes to vocalize

Likes to be mobile

Splashes on bath

May show separation anxiety

Coos longer, in different pitches

Begins babbling

Squeals, grins

Imitates several tones

Vocalizes moods

Provide prompt and total body sensory input

Move baby from room to room and outside during daily work

Place cradle gym over crib

Change nurturing routines

“IF- Then teaching

The 5th Month Rolls back from stomach to back

Can grasp objects

Plays with rattle

Aim good

Swaps objects from hand to hand

Enjoys being cuddled

Makes face in imitation

Distinguishes between adults

More playful

May show signs of stranger anxiety

Utters vowel sounds

Vocalizes to self and toys

May babble to gain attention

Watches mouths closely

Tires to imitate inflections (song)

Provide prompt and immediate feedback

Give teething beads

Talk to him/her about what they are orienting

Baby proof of your house

Play “cause & effect” games

The 6th Month Turns head freely

Rolls from back to stomach

Creeps-propels self on tummy with legs

Stands with support

Sits with little support

Manipulates objects

Plays with feet

Turns when hears name

Doesn’t like strangers

Smiles and reaches to parents

Likes to play pick-a-boo

Varies volume and pitch

Grunts, growls, or complains

Coos, gurgles with pleasure

Squeals with excitement

Giggles, belly laughs

Provide prompt and immediate feedback

Make him feel loves and cared for

Talk to him about what you’re doing

Read aloud before sleep

Play peek-a-boo

Change nurturing routines

The 7th Month Pushes up on hands and knees-may rock back and forth

Creeps with object in hand

May crawl

May pull self to stand

May sit alone

Hold two objects

Reaches and pats mirror image (play)

Begins to show humor-teases

Resists pressure to do something he doesn’t want

Distinguishes friendly and angry voices

Chews fingers

Vowels and consonants occur at random

Tries to imitate sound or sound sequence

Listens to own vocalizations and those of others

Be encouraging and supportive

Pace feedings to baby’s wishes

Put toy just out of reach to encourage crawling

Place on floor-daily

Provide a balls for play

Teach right and wrong

The 8th Month Crawls

Stands with support

Pulls up to stand

Sits alone

Grasps block

Picks up string with thumb and forefinger

Shouts for attention

Pushes away from something he doesn’t want

May manipulate parents

Bites and chews everything, explores

Babbles

Mimics mouth & jaw movements

Turns head to familiar sounds (name, T.V., etc.)

Be encouraging and supportive

Provide small objects to hold, drop & put together

Teach what no means

Redirect to desired behavior

Be consistent

Provide strategy toys (puzzles, in & out shapes)

The 9th Month Crawls with one hand full

May stand alone

Sits well

Grasps well

May side step along the furniture (cursing)

Recognizes parent’s and self in mirror

Anticipates feeding

Performs for home audience

Repeats act if applauded

May cry if other children cry

Plays pat-a-cake

Imitates

Coughs, tongue clicks, hisses

Says dada or mama

Listens to conversation or singing

May understand no-no

Be encouraging and supportive

Don’t do everything for them- aid them

May have fears so respond quickly

Begin teaching limits

Change Nurturing routines

The 10th Month Stands with little support

Walks holding two hands

Sits down from standing

Carries two small objects

Shows moods

Likes music

Prefers one toy

May show tenderness for a doll or stuffed toy

Helps hold cup for drinking

Waves bye-bye

Learns words and appropriate gestures (no-no shakes head)

May say two words besides mama and dada

Understands & follows some commands

Be encouraging and supportive

Play hide and seek- may use a toy

Accident proof the kitchen, living room, and bathroom (make safe)

Don’t leave alone or unsupervised for extended time

The 11th Month Stands alone

May stand and wave

Climbs up stairs

Squats and stoops

Walks holding 1 or 2 hands

Carries spoon to mouth

Casting/throwing balls or objects

Increases dependence on primary caregiver

Obeys commands

Seeks approval

Not always cooperative

Learns the meaning of no: (why no)

Plays parallel to others

Imitates inflections

Says a few more words

May use a single word for thought

Recognizes words as symbols for objects

Be encouraging and supportive

Talk-Allow time for imitating

Show approval for “good” behavior disapproval for “bad”

Look at things from baby’s point of view

Cooperate with the baby

The 12th Month Walks alone

May walk and carry toys

Lowers self to sit (from up to down)

Climbs up and down stairs

Prefers one hand

May push objects

Expresses emotions

Fears strangers and some places

Gives affection to humans and objects

Usually insists on self-feeding

Controls patterns of intonation

Aware of function of expressive language

Says 4-10 words

Babbles “sentences”

Be encouraging and supportive

Be sensitive to their needs

Praise for walking

Change Nurturing Routines

12-15 Months Moves to rhythm

May sit on small chair

Dislikes restraint

Can put cubes in-and-out of cup

Pokes, bangs, pulls, turns and twists everything within reach

Wants to hold things

May try to tip toe

Demands personal attention

Loves an audience

Drops objects from high-chair

Plays pat-a-cake

Laughs when chased or found

Imitates housework

Offers toys to others but usually wants them back

Gives a toy on request

Looks in appropriate place when asked

Jabbers with expression

Attempts to repeat any word

Indicates wants assertively

May listen to a jingle or rhyme

Serve finger-food-don’t rush

Play chase

Roll the ball with them

Provide music

Allow water play

Provide a ball, cup, and box for play

Provide firm and consistent discipline

15-18 Months May insist on self-feeding

Trots

Tries to kick a ball

Hurling of balls/objects

Retrieves balls/objects for self

Sits in a chair

Likes to lug, tug, and drag things

Squats down smoothly

Physically venturesome

Builds tower of 3-4 blocks

Shows hand preference

Demands on personal attention

Follows a simple command

Seeks help when in trouble

Opposes parent with “no”

Doesn’t understand sharing

Behavior dependent on parents

Emotional reaction

Imitates simple sounds

Uses 2 word phrases

“no” is chief word

Names or points to familiar objects in picture books

Points to one named body part

May hum spontaneously

Support and encourage

Read nursery rhymes

Provide picture books for use in play and instruction

Play chase and hide and seek

Encourage outside interest

Praise desired behavior

Provide firm and consistent discipline

Change Nurturing Routines

18-21 Months Walks up and down stairs

Can kick a ball

Climbs on everything

Jumps in place

Pushes, pulls, throws, and carries objects while walking

Picks up objects from floor without falling

Demands personal attention

Likes to help with housework

Likes to remove clothes and run around naked

Responsive to cuddling

May fear dogs, thunder, and lightning

Has vocabulary of 20 or more words

Uses word combinations

Asks “What’s that?”

Enjoys hearing nursery rhymes

Echoes 2 or more last words

Can point to 5 body parts

Support and encourage

Let help with house work

Be patient

Hide objects and let them find

Name everything

Use full sentence after they use phrases

21-24 Months Can walk on tip toe

Climbs out of crib

Can walk backwards

Bends at waist to pick up something

Pedals small tricycle

Builds a tower of 6 or more block

Has fully developed right or left handedness

Imitative play with objects about self

Can accept share attention

Can cooperate-sometimes

Comes when called

Likes to help with housework

Doesn’t like to share

Still dependent on adults for major needs

Desires independence

Has vocabulary of 50 plus words

Asks for food

Can associate names with objects

Enjoys listening to stories

Understands more words than able to use

Understands and asks for “more” or “another”

Support and encourage

Tells stories

Let scribble with crayons

Help locate areas of baby’s body used for hearing, smelling, seeing, and eating

Make simple puzzles

Let them make some decisions

Develop games together – let them guide the activity

Change Nurture Routines

24-30 Months Claps hands

Copies circles, draws crosses on paper

Rides 3 wheel toys

Turns doorknob

Removes simple garments when loosened

Brushes teeth

Behavior may be inconsistent-aggressive or quiet

Occasionally imitates others he’s watching

Names mirror images of another

May cuddle & imitate caring behaviors (or aggressive) of baby doll or stuffed toy

May be able to give first and last name

Learns the meaning of up-down, in-out, front-back

Names 10-15 objects

Asks “why” – does not wait for an answer.

Provide love, protection, and understanding

Provide opportunity to practice skills

Reinforce success- Praise

Play ball

Tell stories

Consistent discipline

30-36 Months Balances on one foot

Gets around, under, & over objects

Puts on clothing with assistance

Sucks liquid from cup using a straw

Unscrews nesting toys

Puts together 6-7 piece puzzle

More independent & less “clingy”

Prefers solitary play

Complies with simple requests

Attempts to get attention (usually parents)

Resists suggestions from other-cooperates ½ of the time

Helps put things away

Uses 3-4 word phrases

Uses pronouns correctly

Answers simple questions

Expresses 2 thoughts combined “When…I will”

Provide new words and play word games

Let child undress himself

Allow peer companions during play activities

Help identify “big” and “little”

Help label objects & tell uses

Let put things away

Encourage make-believe

Recreational activities (swimming, playground, gymnastics)

For more information read Palaestra Vol. 27, No. 3 Fall 2013 p.37 “Early Intervention Developmental Assessment”

Sources
Barber, L.W. & Herman, W. (1981). Your Baby’s First 30 Months. New York, NY: Penguin Group
Charner, C., Murphy, M. & Clark, C. (2006). The encyclopedia of infant and toddler activities: for children birth to 3. Beltsville, MD: Gryphon House.
Frank, C. & Theresa, C. (1995). The first twelve months of life: Your baby’s growth month by month. New York, NY: Banton Books.
Frank, C. & Theresa, C. (1982). The second twelve months of life: Your baby’s growth month by month. New York, NY: Banton Books
White, B.L. (1995). The First Three Years of Life. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster.

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