Cross-Battery Assessment, SLD Determination, and the Assessment-Intervention Connection

Cross-Battery Assessment, SLD Determination, and the Assessment-Intervention Connection    

Description of Conference:

This conference will provide a brief description of the Cross-Battery Assessment (XBA) approach and demonstrate its utility for organizing assessments that are tailored to specific referral concerns.  Additionally, current methods for identifying specific learning disability (SLD) will be reviewed with emphasis on the pattern of strengths and weaknesses approach (PSW).  The most prominent PSW methods will be presented and the similarities and differences among them will be highlighted along with the current research on these methods.  Case studies will be used to demonstrate how XBA data are used in a PSW analysis along with other data sources to identify SLD.  This conference will conclude with a systematic method of linking assessment data to evidence-based interventions.  It is expected that participants will gain knowledge about the specific cognitive abilities and processes that are most important to assess based on academic areas of suspected disability. Participants will also understand the similarities and differences among PSW methods, allowing for informed decisions to be made about the meaning of PSW results.   Finally, participants will gain important information about how to link cognitive assessment results to specific interventions, such as remedial programs, instructional/curricular modifications, accommodations, and compensatory strategies.     

Goals of Presentation:

As a result of attending this conference, participants will be able to:

1. To demonstrate the purpose and utility of the Cross-Battery Assessment approach

2. To highlight the most important cognitive abilities and processes to assess for reading, math, and writing referrals

3. To describe the most prominent PSW models and the similarities and differences among them

4. To provide guidance on how to interpret the results of PSW analyses within the context of multiple data sources

5. To provide guidance on how to link cognitive assessment data to specific interventions for students, parents, and teachers    

Presenter’s Name: Dawn P. Flanagan, PhD

  Dr. Dawn P. Flanagan is professor of Psychology at St. John's University in Queens, NY.  She is also an Assistant Clinical Professor at Yale Child Study Center, Yale University School of Medicine in New Haven, CT.  In addition to her teaching responsibilities in the areas of cognitive assessment, specific learning disabilities, and professional issues in school psychology, she serves as an expert witness, SLD consultant, and test/measurement consultant and trainer for organizations both nationally and internationally.  She is a widely published author of articles, books, book chapters, and software. Her most recent books include Essentials of Planning, Selecting and Tailoring Interventions for Unique Learners and WJ IV Clinical Use and Interpretation: Scientist-Practitioner Perspectives. She is also an author of The Cross-Battery Assessment Software System (X-BASS).  Her forthcoming books include Essentials of WISC-V Assessment, the 2^nd edition of Essentials of Specific Learning Disability Identification and the 4^th edition of Contemporary Intellectual Assessment: Theories, Tests, and Issues.  Dr. Flanagan is a Fellow of the American Psychological Association and a Diplomate of the American Board of Psychological Specialties.  She recently received the national Outstanding Contributions to Training award from Trainers in School Psychology in recognition of her widespread and influential training that she continues to do for psychologists throughout the country and abroad.  Dr. Flanagan is best known for the development of the Cross-Battery Assessment (XBA) approach and an operational definition of SLD, which is now known as the Dual Discrepancy/Consistency “PSW” approach (or DD/C model).  

Accommodations & Other Information:

The Red Barn is handicap accessible and arrangements can be made to provide necessary accommodations.

A lunch is served. Please email any needed accommodations or dietary restrictions to mspawest@gmail.com PRIOR to the workshop.

Payment Information:

For those wishing to pay by purchase order, please complete registration, print the invoice, and mail invoice and district purchase order at least one week PRIOR to the conference to:

MSPA-West, P.O. Box 259, Hadley, MA 01035

OR PO materials can be emailed to mspawest@gmail.com, again at least one week PRIOR to the conference.

For those wishing to pay by check, please complete the registration form, print the invoice, and mail check made out to MSPA at least one week PRIOR to the conference to:

MSPA-West, P.O. Box 259, Hadley, MA 01035

Continuing Education Policy

The Massachusetts School Psychologists Association is approved by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to offer contact hours. The DESE requires the completion of a pre-test, which is to be completed prior to the workshop start time. A post-test is also required and will be given at the end of the workshop. Participants must attend the ENTIRE CONFERENCE and satisfy state regulations in order to receive contact hours. Each participant is responsible for knowing and meeting the DESE licensure requirements.

CE HOURS: The Massachusetts School Psychologists Association is approved by the National Association of School Psychologists to sponsor continuing education (CE) for psychologists. In keeping with NASP requirements, these are awarded in contact hours only. CE hours will be awarded at the close of the workshop.  MSPA maintains responsibility for this program and its content.