Much more than a measurement tool, the activity-based, field-tested AEPS links assessment, intervention, and evaluation for children from birth to 6 years who have disabilities or are at risk for developmental delays. With this reorganized, extensively updated second edition, early intervention professionals can assess and monitor six key developmental areas in young children: fine motor, gross motor, cognitive, adaptive, social-communication, and social. AEPS helps identify educational targets tailored for each child's needs, formulate developmentally appropriate goals, conduct evaluations to ensure interventions are working, and involve families in the whole process. AEPS Test results can also be used as a corroborating second source for determining a child's eligibility for services. AEPS components include
- AEPS Administration Guide. This guide includes a "Quick Start" section that makes AEPS easier for new users; instructions on collecting data and translating test results into IFSP/IEP goals and objectives; and guidelines for involving families, fostering team collaboration, and linking assessment, intervention, and evaluation. Appendices detail the psychometric properties of AEPS and include photocopiable data recording forms.
- AEPS Test: Birth to Three Years & Three to Six Years. The AEPS Test helps gather assessment data for one child or a group of children in home- or center-based settings. The tests for both age levels are divided into six developmental areas, each subdivided into strands of general skill areas, goals made up of skills in those areas, and objectives made up of smaller skills that build up to the goals. Professionals assess each area while childrenand their caregivers engage in everyday activities. Then, with the Child Observation Data Recording Form, professionals score each item with 0 (does not pass), 1 (inconsistent performance), or 2 (passes consistently). To supplement the scores, professionals can choose from five qualifying notes and add more specific comments. This multi-part scoring process lets users pinpoint what children can do, identify areas that need attention, and use that information as a starting point to develop IFSP/IEP goals and objectives. The Child Progress Record helps professionals create a visual display of the child's abilities and development by shading in goals the child has met, and the Family Report allows caregivers to add their own input.
- AEPS Curriculum for Birth to Three Years and AEPS Curriculum for Three to Six Years. These two curricula allow professionals to match the child's IFSP/IEP goals and objectives with age-appropriate, activity-based interventions that correspond to the six areas scored on the AEPS Test. Because the test and curricula use the same numbering system, users can easily locate activities in the curricula that correspond to specific goals and objectives identified with the test--a feature that also helps with ongoing evaluation. In both volumes, professionals will find sample teaching tactics, instructional sequences, recommendations for environmental arrangements, and strategies for incorporating the activities into the child's daily routine. To reflect the individual learning styles many children acquire by 3 to 6 years of age, the Curriculum for Three to Six Years is more flexible--it provides general intervention considerations and suggested activities ratherthan specific instructional sequences.
- AEPS Forms. Forms are sold separately in paper format or as a complete set on CD-ROM. The Formas AEPS CD-ROM is the only place AEPS users will find Spanish translations of the forms. The English version of the CD-ROM includes an exclusive bonus set of Child Observation Data Recording Forms that describe what to look for when assessing the child, so there's no need to look these criteria up in the AEPS volumes.