Posted: May 26 2007 at 6:35am | IP Logged

I'm a big fan of checklists.  Here's my collection in various categories.  Some links get corrupted with blank spaces, so if a link doesn't work try removing suspicious blank spaces.  If it still doesn't work, let me know and I'll fix the broken link.

Note:  Diagnostic checklists do not replace a professional evaluation.

Diagnostic checklists for children - autism/PDD-NOS

http://www.childbrain.com/pddq6.shtml the ever popular childbrain quiz

http://iautistic.com/free-autism-tests.php - checklists of DSM-IV symptoms translated into plain English.  Separate checklist for autism, Aspergers, Rett's and Childhood Disintegrative Syndrome (thanks LandynsMommy).

http://www.autismwebsite.com/ARI/about/e23.htm - Autism Research Institute's diagnostic checklist

http://www.neurotransmitter.net/autismscales.html - links to various autism scales, including some of the ones listed above.  Some of the autism scales are free, while others must be purchased.

http://home.san.rr.com/autismnet/preshadow.html - includes the PDD School Survey (a diagnostic checklist) by Y.S. Brobst, based on DSM-IV.

http://mds.millermethod.org/ - Click on Miller Diagnostic Survey on the menu to the left.  The survey consists of 107 questions covering sensory, body organization (incl. fine/gross motor), social contact, communication, symbolic functioning, aberrant behaviors, and system functioning (changes, transitions, etc).  You can use the questions to make your own observations and share them with a professional, or you can pay $100 to get a written report from Miller Center (the above menu choice includes a link to a sample report).  Given the prices for rushed doctor visits where you get nothing in writing, some people might view this report as worthwhile for the price.  I can't endorse the report personally, because I've never ordered one.

Diagnostic checklists for infants and toddlers:

http://www.autismresearchcentre.com/tests/qchat.asp - Q-CHAT (a revised version of the CHAT screening).  Available in English, German and Spanish.  You have to enter your e-mail address etc to indicate that you accept the conditions of use.

http://www.liliclairefoundation.org/pdfs/lv_autismscreening. pdf - Pervasive Developmental Disorders Screening Test (PDDST), with sections for age groups birth-6 months up to 30-36 months.

http://www.ipan-infant-autism.org/detecting_preautism.html - "Detecting Pre-Autistic Behaviors."  Includes excerpts from the ESPASI (Early Signs of Pre-Autism Scale for Infants), ADS (Attachment During Stress Scale) and AOS (Acquarone Observation Scale).

http://www.nas.org.uk/nas/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=128&a=2226 - CHAT diagnostic screening for 18 month olds.

http://www.helpautismnow.com/p/physhandbook.pdf - includes the CHAT (begins on page 4) and an illustrated list of potential behavioral symptoms, many of them sensory.

http://www.helpautismnow.com/?page_id=18 - video on how to administer the CHAT.

http://www.firstsigns.org/downloads/m-chat.PDF - M-CHAT for 16 to 30 month olds.

Diagnostic checklists - Asperger

http://www.udel.edu/bkirby/asperger/aspergerscaleAttwood.htm l - Australian Scale for Asperger Syndrome, for primary school children

http://www.autismresearchcentre.com/tests/cast_test.asp - Childhood Asperger Syndrome Test (CAST), the screening test developed for the UK.  Available in English, German, Spanish, French, Norwegian, Swedish, Persian, Slovakian and Slovenian. 

http://www.pdacontact.org.uk/frames/index.html - Difference between Asperger and Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA)

Diagnostic checklists from the book "Parenting Your Asperger Child":

http://printables.familyeducation.com/forms-and-charts/skill -builder/51750.html - Part 1, Difficulty with Reciprocal Social Interactions

http://printables.familyeducation.com/forms-and-charts/skill -builder/51751.html - Part 2, Impairments in Language Skills

http://printables.familyeducation.com/forms-and-charts/skill -builder/51755.html - Part 3, Sensory Sensitivities

http://printables.familyeducation.com/forms-and-charts/skill -builder/51752.html - Part 4, Narrow range of interests and insistence on set routines  

http://printables.familyeducation.com/forms-and-charts/skill -builder/51754.html - Part 5 - Cognitive Issues (including mind-blindness) 

Diagnostic checklists covering multiple mental health issues

 http://64.233.183.104/search?q=cache:7jGhqCmL0PkJ:www.myadhd .com/vanderbiltparent6175.html+%22vanderbilt+assessment+scal e%22&hl=no&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=no  - Here you can find a cached copy of the Vanderbilt Assessment Scale, parent version.  With scoring key for various ADHD types, ODD, anxiety/depression, and conduct disorder).

http://add.about.com/od/addprimer/a/cblc.htm - You can see the Child Behavior Checklist here (click on sample).  This checklist is used for diagnosing ADHD and various other ailments with behavioral symptoms.  It looks at social problems, thought problems, sex problems, and attention problems plus Internalizing problems (ie Social Withdrawal, Somatic Complaints, Anxiety/Depression) and Externalizing problems (ie delinquent behavior and aggressive behavior).

http://www.wpic.pitt.edu/research/ - Scroll down to Assessment Instruments for the K-SADS-PL (various child psychiatric disorders), K-SADS Mania Rating Scale, K-SADS Depression Rating Scale, and the Self-Report for Childhood Anxiety Related Disorders (child and parent forms).

Diagnostic checklists/tests - ADHD:

http://www.childbrain.com/adhdq12.shtml - ADHD, from Childbrain

http://www.ncneuropsych.com/patient-forms/ADHD_Checklist.pdf

http://www.incrediblehorizons.com/brief-add-questionaire.htm - ADD questionnaire

http://library.umassmed.edu/ementalhealth/clinical/adhd_self _rep.pdf - Childhood ADHD Symptoms Scale

http://www.addvance.com/help/women/girl_questionnaire.html - ADHD checklist just for girls.

http://www.yourfamilyclinic.com/adhd/vision.html - easy do-it-yourself test for visual impulsivity and ability to concentrate.

Diagnostic checklists/tests - OCD:

http://www.ncneuropsych.com/patient-forms/Child_OCD_Inventor y.pdf - child OCD inventory (asks about common OCD symptoms like handwashing).

http://healthnet.umassmed.edu/mhealth/YBOCSymptomChecklist.p df - Checklist of common OCD symptoms, based on the Yale Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale. 

http://www.bpchildresearch.org/grand/grand_rounds.cfm?ID=24& amp; amp; amp; amp; amp; amp; amp; amp; amp; amp; amp; amp; amp; amp; amp; amp; amp; amp;page=YBOCS - Yale Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale

http://www.travisps.com/quizzes.asp - checklist for making observations about hair-pulling behavior (trichotillomania).  This link didn't work 8/2009.

http://books.google.no/books?id=59ZNHpio5eEC&pg=PA289&am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;lpg=PA289&dq=Psychiatric+Institute+Trichotillomania+Sc ale&source=bl&ots=ID6vpY7H_C&sig=0D6Z8DvHM9k8smD Tiq5j0vImy4M&hl=no&ei=uW18SrriCJDFsgaK3436Ag&sa= X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=5#v=onepage&am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;q=Appendix%201&f=false - The book "Trichotillomania" by Dan J. Stein has various trichotillomania/hair-pulling checklists (Yale Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale, Psychiatric Institute Trichotillomania Scale, NIMH Trichotillomania Scales and Massachusetts General Hospital Hairpulling Scale).  Just search for "Appendix."

Diagnostic checklists/tests - Bipolar:

http://www.healthyplace.com/communities/bipolar/children_4.a sp - This site lists red flags for early onset bipolar, plus has a link to the parent version of the Young Mania Rating Scale and a mood chart.

http://www.wpic.pitt.edu/research/ - Scroll down to Assessment Instruments for the K-SADS Mania Rating Scale.

http://www.atlantapsychiatry.com/forms/ymrs.pdf - Young Mania Rating Scale.  The YMRS is an 11-item scale used to assess the severity of mania in children and adolescents ages 5-17. It takes 15-30 minutes to complete. The YMRS has been used in clinical practice since 1978. Ratings are based on child/adolescent self-reporting and clinician observation. This instrument does not assess depressed mood.

http://www.bpkids.org/site/PageServer?pagename=lrn_08_20_03 - Parent Version of the Young Mania Rating Scale.  This 11- item scale, used for assessing children and adolescents ages 5-17, was adapted from the clinician version of the YMRS.

http://www.depressedchild.org/weinberg%20chapter.htm - WSAS is a 56-item self-report scale for kids age 7-17.  Scroll down to Appendix A (close to the end of the chapter). 

Diagnostic checklists/tests - childhood anxiety

http://www.wpic.pitt.edu/research/ - Scroll down to Assessment Instruments for the Self-Report for Childhood Anxiety Related Disorders (child and parent forms).

http://www2.psy.uq.edu.au/~sues/scas/preschool.html - The Spence Children's Anxiety Scale (SCAS) for preschoolers (2.5 to 6.5 years), with 34 items to be completed by parents.

http://www.ncneuropsych.com/patient-forms/Social_Anxiety_Sca le_for_Children_and_Adolscents.pdf  - social anxiety scale for children and adolescents

http://www2.psy.uq.edu.au/~sues/scas/index.html - The Spence Children's Anxiety Scale (SCAS) is designed to evaluate symptoms relating to separation anxiety, social phobia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic-agoraphobia, generalized anxiety, and fears of physical injury in children ages 8-12. It contains 45 items that take about 5-10 minutes to complete.

http://www.ncneuropsych.com/patient-forms/Childhood_Anxiety_ Checklist.pdf - childhood anxiety checklist 

http://www.adaa.org/GettingHelp/SelfHelpTests/selftest_child ren.asp - Anxiety Disorders in Children (for parents to fill out)

http://www.adaa.org/GettingHelp/SelfHelpTests/selftest_GAD.a sp - Generalized Anxiety Disorder test (for teens to fill out themselves).

http://healthnet.umassmed.edu/mhealth/LiebowitzSocialAnxiety Scale.pdf - The LSAS-CA is a version of the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS) with questions designed for children older than age 7. This tool is a 24-item scale that can be completed in 10-20 minutes. The LSAS-CA focuses on activities in the school setting. The LSAS-CA rates: total fear, fear of social interaction, fear of performance, total avoidance, avoidance of social interaction and avoidance of performance.

Diagnostic checklists/tests - childhood depression

http://www.brightfutures.org/mentalhealth/pdf/professionals/ bridges/ces_dc.pdf - The CES-DC is a modified version of the adult Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. It is a 20-item scale completed by children/adolescents ages 6-17.

http://www.ncneuropsych.com/patient-forms/Childhood_Depressi on_Checklist.pdf - childhood depression checklist

http://devepi.mc.duke.edu/mfq.html - Moods and Feelings Questionnaire.  These questionnaires contain a series of phrases that can help describe how adolescents ages 13-18 have been feeling or acting recently. The long and short versions contain about 33/13 items respectively. 

Diagnostic checklists/tests - vision related:

http://www.readingandwriting.ab.ca/judypool/Irlen%20Self-Tes t.pdf - Irlen Syndrome (scotopic sensitivity syndrome, problems with bright light and glare).

http://colorvisiontesting.com/color5.htm - color-blind test with shapes

http://www.toledo-bend.com/colorblind/Ishihara.html - color-blind test with numbers.

Diagnostic checklists related to hearing and listening:

http://www.linguisystems.com/pdf/LinguiSystems-Characteristi csAuditoryProcessingDisorders.pdf  - Auditory processing disorder checklist.

http://www.incrediblehorizons.com/Auditory-checklist.htm - Auditory processing difficulties checklist and product recommendations.

http://www.rmlearning.com/PDF/ListeningChecklist.PDF - Listening checklist

Diagnostic checklists for adults:

http://www.nas.org.uk/nas/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=128&a=6730 - 11 question screening test for adults

http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/9.12/aqtest.html - Simon Baron-Cohen's Autism-Spectrum Quotient quiz for adults

http://www.rdos.net/eng/Aspie-quiz.php - a longer questionnaire.

Developmental milestones:

http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/actearly/interactive/index. html - milestones for movement, hand and finger skills, language, cognitive, social and emotional development

http://www.autismteachingtools.com/page/bbbbfg/bbbbtj - to identify which stage of play your child is in.

http://www.aea1.k12.ia.us/eaccess/alignment.pdf  The Iowa Alignment of Early Childhood Outcomes has 10 pages of infant/toddler and preschool early learning benchmarks, which can help you determine what's age appropriate and come up with related goals. (tip from Ozzie-Rozies-Ma)

Sensory-related checklists/charts:

http://www.sensory-processing-disorder.com/sensory-processin g-disorder-checklist.html - for identifying sensory symptoms

http://www.tsbvi.edu/Outreach/seehear/archive/mannerism.html #Chart - for identifying self-stimulating behaviors ("stims") under various sensory categories

http://printables.familyeducation.com/forms-and-charts/skill -builder/51755.html - Part 3, Sensory Sensitivities

http://www.spdfoundation.net/pdf/prof-siobsguide.pdf - The Sensory Integration Observation Guide, Level 1 (0 to 12 months)

http://www.sinetwork.org/aboutspd/questionnaire.html - Sensorimotor History Questionnaire for evaluating preschoolers

http://www.sensory-processing-disorder.com/The_SPD_Companion -Floortime-And-SPD.html - checklist in the following format "When I need Proprioceptive input to my brain stem, I can’t feel part or all of my body. I may try to fix this myself by..."

Speech and language-related checklists:

http://dlserver.samford.edu/eportfolio/Portfolios/ElaineThag ard/adaptive_Problem_Solving/checklist_for_SocioPragmatic_La nguage_Behaviors.pdf - checklist for the pragmatic use of language.

http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/general/elemsec/speced/asdfourt h.pdf - Communication Observation Form - Requests (requesting various things by pointing vs. creative verbalization and everything in between), p. 180

http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/general/elemsec/speced/asdfourt h.pdf - Checklist for Higher Level Communication Skills, p. 181

http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/general/elemsec/speced/asdfourt h.pdf - Sample Communication Functions, Observations Sheet.  For recording how often the child greets, requests, jokes, etc. and writing down examples thereof.  p. 183

http://www.stutteringhelp.org/Default.aspx?tabid=99 - "checklist for referal" from the Stuttering Foundation, which tells you what to look for to determine if it's a normal developmental stutter, a mild stutter, or a severe stutter that should be referred as soon as possible.

Reading level checklists:

http://specialed.about.com/od/readingchecklists/Reading_Chec klists_Where_Should_Children_Be_at_Each_Age.htm  - checklists for various age levels (up to age 9) to see if your child is reading at an age appropriate level or possibly has a reading disability/dyslexia.

http://dyslexiainstitutes.com/checklist.php - dyslexia checklists for various ages.

http://www.incrediblehorizons.com/Auditory-checklist.htm - Dyslexia characteristic checklist from the Dyslexia Research Institute.

Learning disability checklists:

http://www.dyscalculia.org/Dyscalculia.org_LDcklist.pdf - for various LDs.

http://www.ldam.org/pdf/journal/2000/07-00_screeninglists.pd f - checklist for early identification of kids at risk for reading delays, includes handwriting observation checklist.

See page 2 of this thread for a dysgraphia checklist (writing disorder).

Social Skills checklists:

http://www.starautism.louisville.edu/images/pdf/Social%20Ski lls.pdf - Joint Attention and Imitation Skills checklist by Dalrymple and Ruble.

http://depts.washington.edu/dataproj/SocialSkillsChecklist11 -04.pdf - Social skills checklist.  Covers social play and emotional development, self-regulation, group skills and communication skills.

http://www.aspergersyndrome.info/Documents/Lectures/Empathy_ training_extended.pdf - the Balanced Emotional Empathy Scale (BEES), 30 questions but no scoring key. 

http://www.rfenc.org/SLATE-Manual.doc - social skills checklists for monitoring progress is various goal areas, each with a manageable number of subgoals.  Starts on page 61.  See separate post for the list of goal areas.

http://www.cccoe.net/social/rubric.htm - checklist for evaluating team work skills.

http://www.myadhd.com/socialself-6185.pdf - Novotni social skills checklist.  Covers manners, verbal and nonverbal skills, communication roadblocks, organizational skills, self-control, knowledge, relationships and self-care.

http://www.quesnelautism.com/pdfs/socialskillschecklist.pdf - a list from Quesnel, BC in Canada.

http://www.asdatoz.com/Documents/Website-%20Teaching%20Ten%2 0important%20lifetime%20skills.pdf - top 10 important skills for life.

Functional Skills checklists:

http://www.quesnelautism.com/pdfs/Self-CareSkillsChecklist.p df - a self-care skills list from Quesnel, BC in Canada.

http://cenmi.org/msdb-LIO/downloads/ILSWorkbook.pdf - 143 page independent living skills checklist, designed for tracking skill-building starting in kindergarten.

http://www.brookespublishing.com/steps/ - downloadable checklists on self-care and home-care.

http://www.scribd.com/doc/2166774/Forms-Questionnaires - booklet "Practical Considerations for School-Based Occupational Therapists".  Includes forms and checklists for self-care, motor planning, handwriting, hand function, etc.

Prognosis Checklists:

No link available:  See separate post further down for a checklist of core skills that are supposed to be predictive of good future progress. 

Checklists for evaluating classrooms/schools:

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art44663.asp - a good one by an autism mom, with lots of comments.

http://www.autism-pdd.net/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=13687&am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;KW=special+classes - from New Mexico Early Childhood Transition Initiative (originally found at the following address:  http://www.ped.state.nm.us/seo/preschool/90.day.transition.g uidance.doc 

http://www.paulakluth.com/articles/schoolinclusive.html - is the school really inclusive or full of hot air?

http://www.speechteach.co.uk/p_resource/parent/whichschool.h tm - questions to ask to help you decide which school for my child?

http://www.spedschools.com/Placementinfo/parentcheck.htm - from Massachusetts

http://www.vesid.nysed.gov/specialed/autism/apqi.htm#CHALL - Autism Program Quality Indicators, for schools to use in reviewing and improving their programs.  Can be adapted for parent use in rating and comparing programs in key areas.

Checklists for evaluating therapists:

http://specialchildren.about.com/od/therapies/a/checkup.htm - reviewing the therapist, the office, the therapy and the results.

Checklists related to IEPs:

http://www.php.com/iep_prep - Checklist for preparing for an IEP meeting and making sure everything got covered before the meeting was adjourned.

http://www.listen-up.org/dnload3/cklist.pdf - checklist for considering ESY, based on court cases.

Checklists related to starting kindergarten:

http://www.polk-fl.net/parents/preschool/documents/prekkinde rgartenreadinesschecklist.pdf - kindergarten readiness checklist from Florida.  Check to see if your state or school district has their own list.

http://www.circleofinclusion.org/english/formsarticles/forms /12transition/3-k/transitionchecklist.pdf  - Checklist for transition to an early childhood program to kindergarten (planning starting in January).

Checklists used by or for schools:

http://www.northstar.k12.ak.us/index.php?i_page=466 - checklists used in 504 plans.  Includes an excellent accommodation plan checklist.

http://www.asperger.org.uk/Download/TransitionsPack.doc - set of checklists/forms to organize the transition to a new educational setting.

http://www.nlconcepts.com/autism-teacherletter.htm - introduction to the child from the parents.

http://www.rockfordautism.com/Handbook.htm - another introduction to the child prepared by the parents.

http://www.udel.edu/bkirby/asperger/IEP_Modif_Checklist.html - list of accommodations the school can put into the IEP of an autistic student.  Based on "Technical Assistance Manual on Autism for Kentucky Schools."

http://www.udel.edu/bkirby/asperger/IEP_Behav_Forms.html - list of student characteristics for the school to complete.  Very thorough about autism symptoms, sensory issues, learning challenges, etc.  Based on "Technical Assistance Manual on Autism for Kentucky Schools."

http://www.ecsu.k12.mn.us/programsServices%5CspecialEducatio n/documents/AreYouReadyGroup_elem.pdf  - list of school skills that frequently appear on autistic kids' IEPs.

http://www.autismhelp.info/htm/printfiles_index.htm - Behavioral Profile Checklist

http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/general/elemsec/speced/asdfourt h.pdf - Inventory/Assessment of Functional Skills in Secondary School (such as entry routines, locker routines, etc.)  Starts on page 124.  Thorough!

http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/general/elemsec/speced/asdfourt h.pdf - Strategies list, for accommodations in the environment, communication, instruction, motivation, self-regulation and assessment.  p. 136

http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/general/elemsec/speced/asdfourt h.pdf - Checklist for creating an autism friendly classroom, p. 137

http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/general/elemsec/speced/asdfourt h.pdf - "Safety Plan form", basically a meltdown plan form.  See page 32 in the PDF file (page 140 in the actual book).

http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/general/elemsec/speced/asdfourt h.pdf - Checklist for play skills and habits (go to page 82 in your reader).

http://www.vesid.nysed.gov/specialed/autism/apqi.htm#CHALL - Autism Program Quality Indicators, for schools to use in reviewing and improving their programs.

Checklists for families

http://www.stopthatbehavior.com/pdf/r_family_needs_sruvey.pd f - for identifying areas your family needs help in, in the categories of information, support, explaining to others, community services, financial needs and family functioning.

Checklists for behavior management

http://www.jambav.com/modules/specialneeds/specialneeds.php? id=8 - Temper Tantrum Report (ie meltdown analysis)

http://www.shutdownsandstressinautism.com/StressinAutism.pdf - checklist for identifying shut-downs and stress-reactions and finding their triggers.

http://www.schoolbehavior.com/behavior.htm - various checklists related to Functional behavior assessments.

http://specialchildren.about.com/od/behaviorstrategies/qt/em ergencychart.htm?nl=1 - simple behavior chart.

Reinforcer checklists/forms:

http://www.pattan.net/files/Autism/Autism120905.pdf - 4 page reinforcer checklist.

http://www.spannj.org/BehavioralPresentation/BehavioralPrese ntation/Student%20Involvement%20&%20behavior%20problems/ Forced%20Choice%20Reinforcement%20menu/Forced%20Choice%20Rei nforcement%20Menu.pdf - Reinforcer Inventory for older kids.  Helps identify what is more motivating for them:  Adult approval, competitive approval (eg only your paper is posted on the bulletin board), peer approval, independent rewards (freedom) or consumable rewards.

http://www.monacoassociates.com/mas/MAS.html - Durand Motivation Assessment Scale.

http://www.springbranchisd.com/instruc/guide/forms/reinforce survey.pdf - questions for child to fill out

http://www.jimwrightonline.com/php/jackpot/jackpot.php - customizable reinforceable form primarily designed for teachers to use.

Checklists for doctor visits:

http://health.yahoo.com/healthcare-doctorvisit/making-the-mo st-of-your-appointment/healthwise--hw226888.html  - These forms will help you prepare for a doctor appointment and communicate with your doctor both about the reason for your visit and the proposed treatment.

More to come, I'm sure...

Posted: May 26 2007 at 9:15am | IP Logged

Norway Mom!

As long as we have you on this board we do not need to google anythig, You are just amazing.

Thank You,

Tash

Posted: May 31 2007 at 3:00am | IP Logged

I added a new checklist to my above list:

http://www.php.com/include/resources/iep_prepare.html - Checklist for preparing for an IEP meeting and making sure everything got covered before the meeting was adjourned.

http://www.circleofinclusion.org/english/formsarticles/forms /12transition/3-k/transitionchecklist.pdf  - Checklist for transition to an early childhood program to kindergarten (planning starting in January).

Posted: June 10 2007 at 10:21pm | IP Logged

I wanted to add this checklist to my list of resources.  It's from an article that was posted today by Daddy.

Q: What are early signs that my child will become more social and communicative and act less in autistic ways? (Even if diagnosed autistic)

Over 30 years of clinical research shows that young children, who show the following behaviors, tend to become more social and communicative and show less and less autistic features. Consequently, I strongly recommend you to ask whether your child shows some of these and that they become your first goals before you focus on language, academics (school) or compliance training. Note that many of these are the positive sides to the defining features of autism. (See DSM IV) Your big job is to help your child do more of what he can do and not focus on what he cannot now do easily.

Score each as follows: 1=Never or rarely, 2= Occasionally, 3=
Frequently. The higher the score, the more optimistic you can be since your child has many behaviors that predict success.

Your child's interactive Life.

1. ___ Imitates and models what others do.
2. ___ Takes turns and plays in a give and take style.
3. ___ Tries to get and keep your attention.

Your child's Nonverbal-communicative life

1. ___ Uses body movements to deliberately communicate.
2. ___Directs sounds to deliberately communicate.
3. ___ Responds to others' communication.
4. ___Shares experiences with others.

Your child's social use of language.

1. ___ Directs words more to others than to himself.
2. ___ Talk about things other than his own interests.
3. ___ Talks more for friendship than for needs.
4. ___ Responds meaningfully to what others say.
5. ___ Cares about whether he is understood.
6. ___ Talks spontaneously and relevant.

Your child's Civil behavior.

1. ___ Cooperates and follows directions
2. ___ Manages his impulsive behavior at times.
3. ___ Shows, affection, concern and empathy.
4. __ _Takes others perspective- 'reads their minds'
5. ___ Adapts his behavior to the situation.

Source:  an article by James D. MacDonald.  Read more by this author at www.jamesdmacdonald.org

Posted: June 14 2007 at 6:21am | IP Logged

I've added this link to my original list.  It's a checklist for pragmatic use of language.

http://dlserver.samford.edu/eportfolio/Portfolios/ElaineThag ard/adaptive_Problem_Solving/checklist_for_SocioPragmatic_La nguage_Behaviors.pdf

Posted: August 13 2007 at 12:11am | IP Logged

Hit the jackpot today with a series of social skills checklists for monitoring progress in various areas.  Each area has a manageable set of goals under them, and could therefore also be useful in IEP-planning. 

The checklists begin after page 60 (page numbers are in light gray at the bottom right corner of the page).  Here are the subject areas:

Body in relation to space (ie not getting to close to others)

Play behavior (basics)

Progressive play behavior (more advanced)

Understanding basic emotions

Body language

Seeking assistance

Flexibility

Self-regulation

Group participation

Behavior conductive to teamwork

Respect of adults and authority figures

Self-regulation/controlling anger

Self-regulation (disappointment, embarrassment)

Polite interaction

Conversational skills

Maintaining conversation

Here's the link:

http://www.rfenc.org/SLATE-Manual.doc

P.S.  They also have extensive notes for training assistants which look very useful.  It's in Appendix E, beginning on page 100.