![A boy in a specialist chair smiles
at his teacher]](img/m08p010a/aBettridge_0441.JPG)
In effect, we need to make assessments of children’s learning in order to:
- Monitor their understanding;
- Provide information about their achievements;
- Evaluate and improve educational provision;
- Inform future planning;
- Improve teaching and learning opportunities.
Children with PMLD
may not intentionally communicate. We have to interpret their facial expressions,
vocal sounds, body language and behaviour to understand what they need or feel. Some
may make use of a small number of spoken words, gestures, pictures and/or signs to
communicate basic needs.
Many children with PMLD
do not understand what people say to them and rely heavily on context and visual clues
in familiar situations and routines.
This video shows Leanne, a
teaching assistant, working with Alice, a seven year old pupil. The focus of the work
shown is upon trying to elicit strong like or dislike responses from Alice in relation
to specific stimuli.
Alice clearly likes the party blower. However, her behaviour is quite different when
presented with a drink of milk. So why did Leanne present milk a second time? The
reason is that Alice will often react this way in response to any new stimulus and
Leanne presented milk a second time just to make sure that this was a genuine dislike.
