As practitioners committed to creating optimal outcomes for children with multiple disabilities (CMD), it is crucial to utilize evidence-based methodologies that capture subtle yet meaningful changes in their development. One such methodology, Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS), has shown promise in measuring educational and rehabilitation improvements in CMD, as demonstrated in the research article "Use of Goal Attainment Scaling to Measure Educational and Rehabilitation Improvements in Children with Multiple Disabilities" by Kascak et al. (2023).
GAS is a robust, individualized goal-setting and measurement approach that integrates well within Individualized Educational Programs (IEPs). This blog will outline the key findings of the research and provide actionable steps for practitioners to implement GAS effectively.
Key Findings from the Research
The study conducted at Pattison’s Academy for Comprehensive Education (PACE) involved 31 CMD and focused on measuring student improvement and program effectiveness using GAS. The results indicated that the majority of CMD met or exceeded their goals over the 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 school years. The GAS methodology was able to capture improvements in educational and rehabilitation goals, providing a reliable measure of program effectiveness.
Implementing GAS in Your Practice
To implement GAS effectively, consider the following steps:
- Conduct Comprehensive Assessments: Utilize a battery of required and complementary assessments to gather detailed information about each child’s abilities and needs. This can include tools like the Developmental Assessment for Individuals with Severe Disabilities (DASH), Caregiver Priorities and Child Health Index of Life with Disabilities (CPCHILD), and the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI).
- Engage Families: Conduct thorough interviews with families to understand their priorities and concerns. This ensures that the goals set are meaningful and relevant to the child’s life at home, school, and in the community.
- Use the ICF Framework: Organize assessment findings across the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) framework. This helps in prioritizing goals and aligning them with the child’s overall development plan.
- Develop SMART Goals: Ensure that the goals are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound. This enhances the reliability and validity of the GAS methodology.
- Regularly Monitor and Adjust Goals: Measure progress weekly and make necessary adjustments to the goals. This ongoing assessment helps in achieving the desired outcomes more effectively.
Encouraging Further Research
While GAS has shown promising results, further research is needed to explore its full potential in different settings and with various populations. Practitioners are encouraged to document their experiences and share their findings to contribute to the growing body of evidence supporting GAS.
To read the original research paper, please follow this link: Use of Goal Attainment Scaling to Measure Educational and Rehabilitation Improvements in Children with Multiple Disabilities.
