The student in this case study has autism. His name is Adam. Adam is seven years old. He is in a Special Day Class for Severely Handicapped students. Adam’s 3-year evaluation needed to be completed to determine eligibility for his special education services. Adam has an advocate and parents who are intensely involved with his education. When the assessment plan was presented to the parents, they requested additional assessments including a functional analysis, occupational therapy and an assistive technology assessment. A copy of the signed assessment plan was given to the appropriate specialists: psychologist, occupational therapist, speech therapist, speech therapist, nurse and special education teacher.

The school psychologist observed Adam on several occasions before administering the psycho-educational profile revised (PEP-R). The PEP-R covers a variety of developmental areas. The test items are presented with simple, concrete instructions and most of the expected responses are nonverbal. The PEP-R provides information on developmental functioning in imitation, perception, fine motor, gross motor, eye-hand integration, cognitive performance and cognitive verbal areas. The PEP-R consists of a set of toys and learning materials that were presented to Adam within structured play activities. The psychologist recorded Adam’s responses to the test. His scores were then distributed among seven developmental and four behavioral areas. The resulting profile revealed Adam’s strengths and weaknesses in the different areas of development and behavior.

Adam’s portfolio was used as an assessment tool. Included in his portfolio were work samples, progress reports, behavior reports, notes from parents and daily reports. The teacher sent home daily reports that included performance, compliance and prompt levels on Adam’s tasks and goals/benchmarks. His parents signed and returned the daily reports and became part of his portfolio. The daily reports were used to assist in the assessment of Adam.

The school psychologist also conducted the functional analysis to determine why Adam was exhibiting disruptive behaviors. Questionnaires were sent home for the parents to complete. Screaming and biting were behaviors his parents and teacher were concerned about. The classroom teacher was responsible for collecting data on the behaviors. The psychologist and the teacher created a data collection form. The teacher recorded the occurrence of the undesired behaviors. The information from the parents, psychologist observations and teacher were compiled by the psychologist and the report was written.

The occupational therapist observed Adam, assessed him and wrote a report. The school nurse tested Adam with a special device. She was able to determine that his hearing appeared to be normal. Adam’s parents reported no problems with his vision and hearing. The speech therapist, who worked with him over the past year, also assessed him.

Other tests that can be used to diagnose and assess students with autism are the Autism Behavior Checklist (ABC), Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R), Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) and Pre-Linguistic Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (PL-ADOS). These tests are individual autism assessment instruments that have been specifically designed to assess children with autism. Furthermore, these tests rely on either historical information about the child’s behavior (usually provided by a parent), direct observation of the child by a professional or a combination of these methods.

Adam’s assessment for his 3-year evaluation was extensive and comprehensive. This assessment gave the team information on Adam’s development, behavior, communication, health, coordination and cognitive levels. With this information, the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) team determined that his placement was appropriate. Occupational Therapy (OT) services were recommended. The occupational therapist wrote several goals and will provide services for Adam. The functional analysis concluded that Adam’s undesired behaviors occurred during transitions. The assistive technology assessment revealed that Adam excelled in this area. No recommendations were needed. Although Adam’s assessment was extensive and required hard work for the IEP team, valuable information was provided that assisted the team in making recommendations for Adam’s education. The assessment also revealed that Adam was making great progress in his special day class setting.

Author, Theresa McFarland, M.A.

With so many methods and tools taught on goal setting, from high priced seminars to moderately priced books, it can bewildering sorting out what works.
Personal development has become increasingly popular in today’s busy world for everything from career improvement and weight loss to public speaking. Unfortunately, people are now even more confused on what are the best choices to follow.
Still, there are a number of simple, fundamental steps that can be used to get you started on the right path to reach your own personal development goal.
1) Identify the Cause
A good starting point with personal development is to look at how you got to where you are right now. For example, if your area of personal development relates to weight loss then look at what lifestyle factors contributed to your weight problem to start with. Write down everything you can think of that contributed to the problem and then analyze how you can modify each factor to get the result you desire.
2) Goal Setting
It is essential to have a clear goal in mind to achieve your own particular personal development requirements. Ask yourself exactly what it is that you wish to achieve and the more refined and clear your goal the more chance you will have of successfully attaining it.
3) Make a Plan
Once you have decided on your goal then formulate a plan that details the steps you will take to reach your goal. Use the details you uncovered when identifying the cause of the problem and expand on these to incorporate as much detail as possible on how you can achieve your personal development goal.
4) Focus and Commitment
Once you know your goal and have designed your plan you then need to focus on your goal and commit to the plan you have designed. Set aside a certain amount of time each day to work on your plan and do not allow general daily chores to distract you from what you need to do. Once you have become accustomed to working on your plan each day it will become a habit and therefore easier over time to stick too.
5) Look for Inspiration
It will be of great benefit to look for inspiration from others that have overcome the same personal development challenge as your own. This can be in the form of books, seminars, courses or even a person from your local community that you may be able to contact to get some tips or advice. Personal development is about identifying areas of your life that you wish to change for the better and having an attitude of continual self-improvement.
Following the steps outlined above–no matter which area of your life you intend to improve– you can be assured of achieving your goals.
Once you gain more confidence as you achieve your personal development goals, you will find it quicker and easier each time.

Imagine your student waking up in her dorm next August and setting out for her first day of class. As she’s walking, she realizes she really doesn’t have a clue as to why she’s in college and even more puzzling, why she’s at that particular university. Unfortunately, this is a scenario that plays out all over the United States. Is the student seeing the bigger picture or is she there by default and is not really engaged in the experience college can offer? This situation can be avoided with a little forethought and strategic professional planning.

Nearly 50% of college freshman will not graduate. Yes, I said almost 50%, and let me say that the other 50% take, on average, 5.5 years to complete their undergraduate degree. If you accept the fact that a typical private college today (cost of attendance) is approximately $30,000 per year, this endeavor is fraught with peril. A student attending two years and leaving without the degree leaves you around $60,000 lighter in the bank! However, this $60,000 pales in comparison to the potential loss in future income your son or daughter miss out on because the degree was not earned. According to some studies, a person with a bachelor’s degree will earn, on average, $1,000,000 more than a high school graduate over their working career.

Is degree attainment only an economic consideration? Certainly not. A college degree can also lead to greater personal growth, cultural awareness, and increased social awareness. It is critically important for your student to go to college knowing why he/she is there. Unless the proper steps are taken to ascertain what the goals are (career planning), which institutions are best suited to attain those goals (college search), and which school is the best fit (selection) your student may not graduate.

As parents, we’d like to believe that the present system would not let this happen to our children. However, the reality is that the system is broken. How else to explain the data? College today is BIG business, expensive, and essential. Relying solely on the present system is a recipe for failure.

So what is a parent to do? Many quality companies have stepped forward to take on this challenge and provide needed expertise in the areas of career planning, college search, college selection, and college funding. They exist, not to replace what the high schools and colleges may provide, but to complement their efforts. Most of these companies will begin to work with your student, if you choose, as early as freshman year in high school.

Studies indicate 50% of people are not happy in their career choice. Perhaps many of them showed up on campus like lost sheep or perhaps they left college before completing the task. At this critical stage of their life, taking advantage of professional help can give our children a better future – both financially and mentally

Just like there’s a recipe for chocolate cake, there’s a recipe for goal setting. But if you’ve tried more than one baker’s cake you know that not all recipes are the same.
The ingredients, both quality and amount, will affect the final result. The order and method of combining the ingredients also makes a difference. Utensils, time, temperature and technique add even more variables.
The recipe you choose will determine the quality of the cake you end up with. What are your standards? Do you want passable, good or irresistibly delicious?
Here’s my favorite recipe! I hope it satisfies your appetite for success.
Step 1: Get Inspired
Often people set safe targets to hit – things they’re pretty sure that with a little extra effort they can accomplish. The truth is if our goals don’t make us a little or a lot nervous they’re not big enough! Lying to ourselves about what we really want because we’re afraid we can’t have what we want only leaves us jealous and discontent even after we get what it is we said we wanted.
As Stephen Covey encourages, let’s begin with the end in mind. Answer these questions before moving to Step 2.
- What kind of life, lifestyle, or life conditions do you desire?
- Where do you want to live?
- What do you want your work/career to create for you?
- What inspires you?
- What would your ideal day look like?
- How, where and with whom would you spend it?
- What contributions do you want to make to this world?
- What kind of resources do you want at your disposal?
- If there were no limits, restrictions or obstacles, what would you dare to aspire to be, do or have?
Step 2: Expose Your Buts
Write down all the reasons why you cannot achieve these goals. List every single possible obstacle that could get in the way of you having your dreams.
Keep asking, “Why can’t I have it?” or “Why don’t I have it?” until you run out of answers. Be sure to include all the ludicrous, inane ones too. (Your buts are the contaminants of your old recipe – they must go!)
Step 3: Bust Your Buts
Where did these buts really come from? Whose voice do you hear when they run through your head? Is it your voice, a parent or teachers, that of a coach or neighbor, maybe a loved one or friend?
These beliefs don’t have to be yours, unless they truly serve you. Challenge the beliefs that DON’T serve. What contrary evidence have you ever seen, heard or felt that demonstrates their falsehood?
Identify any person whose achievements are a complete contradiction to your list of buts. List any observation or experience that shows the ridiculousness, absurdity, or untruth of your old buts.
Step 4: Whys Up
No goal is impossible when the WHY behind it is strong enough. Answer these questions:
- Why do I really want this?
- How will it make me feel to achieve it?
- What benefits will it bring to the people I care about?
- Who will I become in the process of reaching this goal?
- Who can I help?
- What will I be able to do for myself, my family and loved ones, my company, community and/or humanity?
What childhood wishes did you want to make come true, for people, animals, the environment or any great cause that could use your help? What legacy would you like to leave? 50 years from now what do you want said about you and the life you lead?
Step 5: Simulate to Stimulate
Fighter pilots, astronauts and racecar drivers use simulators to train for tasks that require precision and exacting procedure. Through a simulator they can get as close to the actual experience without actually doing what they’re being conditioned for.
We can do something similar to prepare for and pre-live the experience of our own goals. We do this by engaging the mind and the body. Here are some ideas.
Create a vision board or screen saver with pictures that represent your ultimate lifestyle and the goals you will achieve to get there. Create a phrase that expresses your goal already achieved and say it over and over again throughout the day.
Write your affirmation/phrases 10+ times per day engaging brain and muscle while you do. Say them while you jump, move around, dance, sing, shout, run or do anything that gets you actively associated to these words and the vision attached to them. This helps move your goal from an intellectual concept, to an emotional experience and ultimately a physical knowing.
Step 6: Chunk It to Slam Dunk It!
How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time!
When a goal seems too big or daunting it’s time to break it down or chunk it into bite size pieces. For added zest, celebrate after each bite is chewed and swallowed.
Consistent, manageable effort will get you to any goal. This is how you chunk down your goal so you can eat it one bite at a time.
When you get caught up in the mountain of little details that must be handled in order to reach your goal you do a reverse process. You chunk up.
Step 7: Up Your Attitude to Gratitude
Keep a gratitude journal. List at least seven things you are grateful for today.
Being grateful for what we have always seems to put us in a more positive, resourceful frame of mind. The more we notice and appreciate the little conveniences we take for granted the more we stay in this powerful state.
An attitude of gratitude literally accelerates the manifestation of our desires. Our energy is aligned with what we want and it is therefore attracted to us.
Don’t be surprised when your gratitude attitude uplifts the people around you too.

It seems that many people dream of one day becoming a high profile lawyer, setting lofty goals for themselves as they move forward through school. However, without knowledge of how to get into law school and what to expect while there, those dreams can never become a reality. Where does an aspiring law student start? To whom should you turn for more information?

The best place to start your path to law school is by speaking with a prelaw advisor. Your advisor can be found at your undergraduate institution and would be happy to help you determine whether or not you are a candidate, where you should apply, and what course you should follow to achieve your goal.

Law school is not for everyone. Critical thinking and writing abilities are required, as well as a feeling for the humanities (social sciences, natural sciences, art, and other things affecting human experience). An education in logical reasoning, written and oral expression, and critical analysis provide a good basis for acceptance to law school, regardless of your major. Excellent performance and rigorous course schedules are very important in providing an acceptable educational history to a law school.

Law school will equip you to analyze legal issues and stay abreast of the continuously changing laws and policies. A lawyer must be able to think on his or her feet and adjust to the evolving legal environment in which they must function. Lawyers must be able to provide useful and intelligent counsel to individuals regarding the law and its functionality. Clear speaking and writing abilities are also a must. Law school will prepare you for all of the aspects of being a lawyer, as well as teaching the arts of persuasion and negotiation, which also become a large part of a law career.

There is no specific curriculum that a law school follows; they do vary from school to school. However, most states require a lawyer to have graduated from an American Bar Association approved law school in order to earn admission into the bar. These schools provide the basic information and training necessary to take and pass the bar exam. Typically, states require a law student to attend the law school institution for at least three years full time or four years part time. Most law schools, though providing training for different sorts of legal professions, gear their curriculum toward training a lawyer, though some have special programs that gear the learning experience toward a combination of law and other topics, such as business, science, technology, or public administration.

Many law schools will start out their first year students with subjects such as civil procedure, contracts, criminal law and procedure, constitutional law, property law, legal writing, and tort. Eventually, in their goal of training a lawyer, the schools will place students in internships, which are used toward academic credits. Others emphasize using the governmental and legal resources of the community for training purposes.

There are many questions involved in preparing for law school, and this article only touches on some of the basics. Again, the best place to start you off on a successful career path in law is with a prelaw advisor, who can assist you in clearing up any matters not addressed here.

How do we live an extraordinary life? One full of amazement, and one that you live with passion? It is an interesting topic, and with so many people wondering what the key to happiness is, it is worth considering. In this article, we will look at what I call Bliss++.
In my life, I have always sought to live an extraordinary life. As a life coach, I have seen many people ask what is the key to happiness. But happiness and money are totally different things. Though many people believe that more money will make life more happier. The truth is that emotions such as happiness begin with us.
So, what is an extraordinary life? Think about it for a moment. What is an extraordinary life? For me I have managed to create what I think is an extraordinary life, and I call that Bliss++. It includes my ideal health, wealth; success, professional life, and all other areas that I feel need to be included. Bliss++ is my view of what car I want, what dream home I want, and how I want my relationships to be.
For you, you can consider your own Bliss++. You can call it what you want. However, what you call it should mean something to you personally. And every time you think of the word, it should conjure up visions in your imagination of your ideal life.
For many people who achieve great things, goal setting is behind what got them from a to b. From mediocrity to success, however, they choose to define it. I can wholeheartedly agree that goal setting is essential to be able to live an extraordinary life. Ask 100 people about where they are going, if they have a vision, if they have a worthy ideal, and you will find only 4-7 people out of hundred can give you an answer.
Setting goals is all fun; however, it is easy to get stuck there. Goals can be empty by themselves and needs a vision. That vision begins when you go through thinking about what you really want. What would make an extraordinary life for you?
Think about it. Look back here, read this, bookmark it, and send to friends. And most important of all remember. And remember to define your extraordinary life. It is crucial, as Solomon the wisest of them all said that without a vision people perish. And with that wisdom it does not require being a Christian, catholic, protestant or any other denomination. It requires simply thinking about how you want your life to be.
You might not achieve it exactly. It may take a day, a week, a month, even a year to create the whole picture. But, while you are creating the vision, you can start taking action on those goals you have formulated from the vision. If you shoot for the Moon and miss, at least you will have landed amongst the stars.

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Chef school is a great option for anyone who loves food and wishes to pursue a career as a restaurant manager, cafeteria manager, chef, or caterer. Even if you are an entrepreneur who wants to open a restaurant or a person who wants to become food critic, food photographer, food researcher, or food consultant, a culinary degree program can give you the skills and knowledge you need to succeed. To get the most from your education experience, though, you will want to take the steps necessary to ensure your future success.
Successful students know that chef school is about a lot more than just food preparation. Successful students who enter successful culinary careers do a few things differently to ensure success. These things are:
Set goals. A student who wants to become a food critic will need different skills than someone who wants to prepare extravagant desserts on a luxury cruise line. Before you sign up for chef school, it is a good idea to envision exactly the sort of culinary job that would make you happiest. Then, select the school and program that will let you achieve your goals.
Build a wide range of skills. Chefs need a range of skills, so it is important to study and actually work in a restaurant to get the most from your education. To be successful in a culinary job, you will want to develop good communication skills and social skills, so that you can work effectively with others in the kitchen. You will want to hone your abilities to work both as a team and independently. Since culinary jobs can be high-pressure, you will want to develop a great work ethic and reliability. Keep in mind that employers will want to see that you have plenty of stamina and a good level of physical fitness, so that you can withstand the physical pressures of the kitchen. Make sure that you stay fit while you are in your culinary program. Keep in mind, too, that learning about food preparation and hygiene about your specialty can also make you more flexible and innovative. All these diverse skills will make you more attractive to employers because they will make you a better employee.
Network. Meeting others who are passionate about food is one of the true joys of attending chef school. Get to know your classmates, instructors and employers well. You may end up working with them at some point or you may need a reference letter to land your dream job. Plus, getting to know others in the industry is a great way to learn more about cooking and food.
Take schooling seriously. Most people enter chef school because they love to cook. In many cases, cooking seems more like fun than like work. This is terrific, but it’s still important to approach your program as a serious field of study and try to do your best in all your courses, internships, and other responsibilities. This sort of dedication will help you land the job you deserve.
Chef school is an important first step to a great culinary career. Once you are in a program, though, it is important to maximize your experience. Making the most of studies ensures that you have the most exciting opportunities possible in your future. Setting goals, purposefully building a wide range of skills, developing your people skills through networking and approaching your schooling with an intention to do your best help you get the best value for your dollar. Taking care to do your best also truly poises you for success after graduation.

Career goal setting. Just the thought of those words may make some of you cringe.But it’s time to step up to the plate and really get into the career game.

If you could change your job situation tomorrow, would you do it? If you said yes you are among the thousands of folks who are unhappy or unfilled in their jobs. Maybe you no longer find satisfaction in your career? You may be looking for a job that better reflects your passions and interests and some of you could be just getting into the job force. Stop fighting it,career goal setting is your answer to figuring out all your career headaches.

The fact of the matter is, if you want to uncover a career that is fulfilling you will need do some introspection.As you do this you’ve got to forget about all social pressures and be open to all possibilities; no matter how far they may be from your current position. And of course write it all down!

One of the first steps in the career goal setting process is to determine exactly what it is that youwant from your career. Remember, the career goal setting process is a journey and having a well thought out plan or map to guide you is crucial.But before you lay down your plan you must first do some research, and in this case the research topic is you. This will involve some soul searching to figure out if you are even in the rightfield or that the career path you are considering is best suited to your interests and strengths.

Here are a couple things to ponder about: If you could do anything what would you do?What moments in your life bring you the most joy? Be attune to various issues or topicsthat you are passionate about. In this state of introspection, let your mind and imaginationrun free. Don’t sensor yourself and don’t discredit or do away with career possibilities that seemsilly or out of the ordinary. Discovering true happiness and satisfaction in your career may takesome time, so be patient and be open to taking different paths to get you to your goal.

Effective goal setting involves knowing exactly where you want to go and why. And whileit is important for you to take inventory of all your interests and skills; you must also pay closeattention passion.

Passion plays an important role in maintaining fulfillment in all aspects of your life includingyour career. As you think about your future career situation, take your current skills as wellas your passions into consideration when making a decision. That way you will have a larger selection ofcareer fields to choose from. If you only consider your skills you end up limiting your options.

Once you’ve focused on your passion, take some time to review your strengths and weaknesses. Literallywrite them all down (even the things your mom says you’re good at!) If applicable, assess the skillsyou currently utilize in your job. Friends and colleagues may also offer some interesting insights.Once you’ve done this self-assessment you will have a more clear and vivid picture of what you as an individual has to offer.

For some of you, a self-assessment may reveal that you do not have the skills and qualifications necessary topursue the career goals that you are passionate about. As part of the career goal setting processyou may now need to develop a plan that will allow you to acquire this qualification. You may want to explore a number of avenues. These may include, but are not limited to: On the job training from your current employer, communityorganizations in your town that may offer cost effective programs and courses, or volunteering as a way to gain some new skills or know how.

Career goal setting will give you a greater sense of direction and motivation. Having a clear plan or map is the key tocareer success, but you must be willing to carry out a self assessment to have a better understanding of exactly what gives you a sense of fulfillment. Just like any road map you have got to keep it close and be prepared to revisit itas you continue along your journey.