" Hello, I am looking for a form that a parapro can fill out while they are with an autistic child in a regular ed setting. I could make up one, but I was wondering if you had one that worked well. My purpose is to provide a clear picture of what the child is doing both behaviorally as well as academically when I can't be with him. It will also help the parents and the teacher, too. I believe that it also helps the parapro from becoming bored and more tuned into what the child is actually doing, and provides for daily data and any possible patterns. Thank you." Brenda

Answer: Susan Osborne, PhD, Coordinator, Graduate Program in Special Education, North Carolina State University

I am providing a modification of an observation devise that I have frequently used to get a picture of how a student is functioning in different content areas, instructional configurations, and at different times of day. (View and print form.) I would suggest that the individual using this observation form take one minute every ten or fifteen minutes to write in the appropriate code. I usually make a tape with a low tone every 10 minutes to remind myself to observe and record. You may want to modify the form to meet your individual needs. Using this type of time sampling can inform teachers, students, and their parents and help them make good educational decisions for students.

On this form, each block allows for several hours of observation if the observer records once every ten minutes, or three hours if the observer records every fifteen minutes. Of course, you may decide to observe more frequently but then it can be difficult for the assistant to carry out other responsibilities.

It is important to train any observer to observe and record accurately. I would suggest that you and the observer practice together to be sure you are coding the same characteristics of setting and behavior the same way.

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Observation Form