Documenting AT in ESPED
In an attempt to decrease the number of places AT must be documented in ESPED, the following process will be used for documenting AT and must be followed for each initial evaluation, re-evaluation and annual ARD meeting.
In order to fully document the AT Consideration and Determination process, both a Consideration AND a Determination statement must be made. Support must be given for your determination, even when AT is not required. You may utilize the included Assistive Technology Considerations and Determinations Documentation Guidelines to copy and paste from.
First Step for ALL Determinations:
On screen #12 (Communication/Physical/AT Needs of the Student), scroll down toward the bottom of the screen and choose “Edit Assistive Technology”. The Edit Assistive Technology Information box will open.
Proceed to Option 1, 2, or 3 below depending on ARD committee's determination of AT services.
Option #1: If a student DOES NOT require AT.
1. Choose “No” in box (as below), enter the date and click “Save.”
2. Click on the “Explain” text box to open it.
3. Add the statement from the considerations guide including the areas considered and the “determination” made (as below). Insert a statement from the Consideration and Determination Documentation Guidelines. Click “save”. This completes the documentation process for a child that “does not need” AT device(s) and/or services at this time.
Option #2: If a student DOES NEED assistive technology and the ARD committee has enough information to determine what AT device(s) the student requires.
1. Choose “Yes” in box (as below), add the date and click “save”.
2. Next, click on the first box “Yes” to indicate the student does need AT. Then click on the “Explain” text box to open.
3. Add a statement from the considerations guide including the areas considered and the “determination” made (see below). List areas and all AT Devices/Services needed, including personally owned devices (indicating that it is personally owned) and any training needed to implement AT. Keep devices general and DO NOT list specific brand names or apps (tablet vs. iPad, communication app vs. Proloquo2Go). Click “save”.
4. Open Screen #38 "eStar Related/Other Services” and click on “New.” Select "Assistive Technology" from the "Related/Other Service" drop down menu (see below).
5. Next, select "NEW" under the "Duration" drop down. List AT devices that are provided by the SSA (not personally or school owned). Click "Save".
6. Complete the rest of the boxes (Frequency, Service Location, and Dates) as appropriate for the student. Click "save".
7. Select "Descriptor of Related/Other Services" and list all AT Devices and Services needed, including personally owned devices and any training needed to implement AT. This can be the same statement made in the explanation of AT on screen #12. Click "save."
Option #3: If a student DOES NEED assistive technology, but the ARD committee needs more information to determine what AT device(s) the student requires.
1. Choose “Yes” in box (as below), add the date and click “save”.
2. Next, click on the second box under “AT = Yes” to indicate that additional information is needed to determine if AT services are appropriate. Then click on the “Explain” text box to open.
3. Add a statement from the considerations guide including the areas considered and the “determination” made (see below). Click “save”. Complete REED and referral process.
