Conducting the VB-MAPP Course
Discuss all things regarding the Conducting the VB-MAPP Course - Please feel free to post questions. Participating in the forum is not mandatory, and is just a way to create a supportive community for amazing people who love our learners with special needs.
Do NOT post any learner personal health information (PHI) in this Forum as it is publicly visible!
One tool that's particularly useful is the AMS Selection Tool, developed by Dr. Patrick McGreevy and Troy Fry. It's a great resource for helping practitioners select the most appropriate alternative method of speaking for each child. The tool focuses on methods that are easy to use, frequently used, and always available—following the CAFE principle (Continuously Available, Frequently used, and Effortless). Not only does it help assess the child's current communication skills, but it also suggests and tracks the effectiveness of different alternatives. Observing the child in natural settings and talking in detail with parents and caregivers are also crucial.
These steps give a full picture of the child's abilities and needs, helping to tailor the best strategies. And by the way, the AMS Selection Tool is free on our website, so feel free to check it out! 😊
Thanks for reaching out. So the answer is different based on which assessment. In terms of the barriers, I understand your concerns about scoring the barriers as a #4 if the learner doesn't exhibit some of those behaviors. The problem is with leaving the question blank it will "look" like the learner scored a zero (that is there is no issue). I would recommend scoring the question a 4 and adding a note to that barrier. In terms of the transition assessment, if the learner can not score a #1, leave the question blank and that will reflect they weren't demonstrating the "minimum" behavior to score a 1 on the transition. Just an FYI the transition assessment is optional and if the learner is not ready to move to a lesser restrictive environment that assessment doesn't have to be done.
A common challenge is that some children may display behaviors like non-compliance, tantrums, or avoidance, which can disrupt the assessment. To address this, it's important to build a positive relationship with the child and create a welcoming environment. Using their favorite items or activities as incentives can encourage participation. Additionally, splitting the assessment into shorter, more manageable sessions can help prevent behavior problems and reduce fatigue.
Limited Communication Skills:
Another challenge is assessing children with very limited verbal or communication abilities, as they may have difficulty responding to prompts. One solution is to use alternative communication methods, such as picture exchange systems (PECS) or communication devices. Observing the child's natural interactions and reactions can also provide valuable insights when direct responses aren't possible.
Variability in Performance:
Children may sometimes perform inconsistently, showing skills one day and not the next, which can make scoring and interpretation tricky. To manage this, it's helpful to conduct assessments consistently at the same time of day and in a similar setting. Documenting the specific conditions during assessments can also aid in understanding and interpreting any variations in the child's performance.
Parental Expectations and Involvement:
Parents may have high expectations or misunderstand the assessment's purpose, potentially leading to added pressure on the child or misinterpretation of the results. Clear communication with parents about the goals and scope of the VB-MAPP is crucial. Setting realistic expectations and providing regular updates can help manage parental involvement positively. Allowing parents to observe the assessment can also help them gain better insights into their child's abilities and challenges.
Cultural and Language Differences:
Cultural and language differences can impact a child's understanding of and response to assessment items. It's essential to consider these factors when administering the VB-MAPP. Using culturally appropriate materials and, if needed, involving a translator or interpreter can ensure the assessment accurately reflects the child's abilities.
Time Constraints:
Completing the VB-MAPP can be time-intensive, particularly for children with shorter attention spans or those requiring multiple sessions. Careful planning of the assessment schedule and flexibility in timing can help address this challenge. Focusing on key areas based on the child's specific needs and developmental level can also make the process more efficient.
These strategies aim to overcome common challenges in administering the VB-MAPP, ensuring a thorough and effective assessment of each child's skills and needs.
This answer was written by the DataMTD Team
EFL: EFL caters to a broader demographic, including both children and adults with moderate to severe disabilities. It centers around teaching functional living skills, emphasizing practical communication and everyday life skills that promote independence.
Target Population
VB-MAPP: Best suited for younger children at the early stages of language development or with significant delays in language acquisition.
EFL: Ideal for individuals of any age who need to develop functional communication and daily living skills, particularly those with more profound developmental challenges.
Assessment Areas
VB-MAPP: It covers various aspects, such as Milestones Assessment, Barriers Assessment, and Task Analysis, focusing on verbal operants and developmental milestones.
EFL: This tool evaluates practical skills, including communication, social interactions, self-care, and community participation. It uses a criterion-referenced approach to provide individualized assessments.
When to Use Each
VB-MAPP is often chosen for early intervention, especially when the primary goal is to foster language and social skills.
EFL is more suitable when there's a need to focus on broader functional living skills, making it ideal for older children, adolescents, and adults.
In summary, the choice between VB-MAPP and EFL depends on the individual's age, developmental stage, and the specific skills that need to be developed. Both tools offer valuable frameworks for assessment and can sometimes be used together to provide a more comprehensive understanding of an individual's abilities and needs.
We can make vb mapp plan based on only 1 domain. We dont need to make plan based on all skills on initial stage.
C
Should i do levvel 2 and/ or 3 also ?
Esp with a 2 year old you probably wouldn't expect them to be scoring in level 3 for most domains because that would mean they have similar skills to that of a typically dev 2.5-4 year old so it is very likely that with a neuro-diverse 2 year old they would be scoring just in level 1 and if they are not using spoken word/sign they would not be scoring in tact or mand but this is great info to have - we need to get this learner manding - we need to find an effective method of speaking if they are not echoic/vocal. Once manding is established those things they ask for can then become their first labels. Continue to work on skills that they have established already (these can be "easiest"). If they have imitation skills but no echoic/vocal behavior consider teaching some signs in order to encourage vocal verbal behavior. Vocal verbal behavior can be encouraged with the use ofa picture exchange system but remember Dr Sundberg would tend to favor sign due to it's similarities to spoken word.
(Edited by Liz Maher - original submission Monday, 27 January 2025, 2:48 PM)
Sara,
This is tricky. If a learner isn't attending to an array it is almost impossible to assess and teach LRs, VP/MTSs/Tacts in an array. My suggestions depend on the level of your level. If your learner is an emerging level 1 learner with no mands etc you might want to start establishing motivation for the learner to mand and condition yourself and other staff as reinforcers and start to establish instructional control. I should have probably said firstly ensure there are no vision problems. Maybe put motivating items together in an array and have your learner choose an item - do they scan the array then?
If your learner can mand and tact but is finding it difficult to scan (barrier to learning) maybe transition to having them tact in the field? There are more suggestions in the teaching course. Hope this helps.
Any other thoughts?
Q2. If score 1 is foe 2 mand then 0.5 scire will.be foe 1 mand.
Q3. Pulling hand ... is it a sign language if child pull.hand to.tell he want to go out ?
You can find the scoring info for the barriers and the transition in the guidebook. In the app you will find the specific info for each questions from the guidebook next to that particular question
Q2. If score 1 is foe 2 mand then 0.5 scire will.be foe 1 mand.
The particular 1/2 point is 1/2 criteria but be careful coz the 1/2 point isnt always half the full point criteria. Always check - if you are using the print version check in guidebook, if you are using app the scoring critereia is right with the milestone itself
Q3. Pulling hand ... is it a sign language if child pull.hand to.tell he want to go out ?
This is a tough one - it could be - it may not be socially appropriate however. For example - being able to mand to go out should occur across people (not everyone will want to be pulled) and a learner should be able to ask for going out at a distance from another person (not always making contact). So it may be better to have another sign that is taught to the learner for them to mand to go out. However - this is a great skill it shows intent (super important) and that should be encouraged - it is also counted as a supporting skill on the task analysis for the milestones (mand #1)
If child doesnt care reinforcment is given or no then What i will score
Spontanous behavior
How can be score
If child need intesive traing for Echoics and prompts for all skills including clap and high 5.
Natural enviornment.
If child need muriple trials and intensive training to acquire 2 action in natural enviornment how it will be scored.
Q3. If score is nill or item is not administred how can be scire 1 2 3 4 on transition form
When we dont need to doo taks analysis or when its necessarry to do task analysis.
Do i need to do task anakysis for a child with scire 0 and Child with low score on level 1.
Q1. Child name and mand in native language (not in english). So scoring will be same
Q2. Give me ..... it could be considered as TA or what?
0.5
1
For each milesyone in all 3 level ?
Score would be 0.5 ?
So a few different operants here...remember just because a learner can "say" a word under one condition doesn't mean they will be able to do it across all operants....however that is our goal. And our goal is to get to the point where we dont have to teach every skill. It's possible to have a child that spontaneously tacts but they will not take an echoic prompt....interesting to think about how they "learnt" those tacts - possibly hearing the item's name and engaging in a covert self echoic? Is it an issue with motivation? Can you initially use some of the words that client spontaneously tacts and turn them into echoics before running the EESA? Do they "understand" what is expected of them - I say what you say etc. Can you use reinforcement? eg: they spontaneously tact - you reinforce and then run the echoic trial for that same word and reinforce heavily if they echo? If they dont echo, then the score would be a zero but I'm thinking if you can use the learner's strengths to teach the echoic this will only benefit them further as they start to learn new words etc. or need to remember things etc.
Q2. If child doesnt display echoic skill but he is verbal child. What scire we will give on barrier assessment no. 6.
And what scire we will give on scrolling ite.
For whom it's necessary to do.. should i do for eavery child
.or is there any condition to do it ?