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Background on HELP® 3-6 (2nd Edition) for Head Start
HELP 3-6 has its origins in the BCP (Behavioral Characteristics Progression) which was developed by VORT Corporation in the 1970's as part of a federal project involving hundreds of reviewers in the field and programs and involved a synthesis of research and project data. VORT then adapted from the BCP the HELP for Preschoolers materials (edited by about 10 professionals in the field — in 1995). In September 2010, VORT released HELP® 3-6 which was edited from HELP for Preschoolers by a team of professionals (two M.A.s and a Ph.D.) and included an extensive search of current literature.
HELP is a family-centered, comprehensive, ongoing curriculum-based assessment process—not a single instrument. It is not intended to be used for diagnosis, and, it is not a norm-referenced, standardized test. As such, we are not aware of specific validity research.
- HELP is however intended to identify family and child strengths and needs, assist in determining "next steps" for intervention and support, provide individualized family-centered information and support, and, to monitor progress. The age ranges, skills and behaviors, criterion referencing, example observation opportunities, and developmental activities are based upon expert review and review of the literature, as well as normative data from existing standardized tests.
- There is also an expanding evidence base related to the benefits of using "curriculum-based Assessments" in general, as well as the benefits of delivering family-centered services. For example: Neisworth, J.T. & Bagnato, S. J. "The MisMeasure of Young Children: the Authentic Assessment Alternative". Infants and Young Children, 17( 3):198-212, 2004. Additional journal articles that address importance of family involvement and have included using HELP in their studies include:
- Mary Pat Moeller, M.P. "Early Intervention and Language Development in Children Who Are Deaf and Hard of Hearing" Pediatrics, Sep 2000; 106: 43.
- Coplan, J. Jawad, A.F., "Modeling Clinical Outcomes of Children with Autistic Spectrum Disorders. Pediatrics 2005:116;117-122
- Belcher, H., Butz, A. M., Wallace, P. et. al. "Spectrum of Early Intervention Services for Children With Intrauterine Drug Exposure." Infants & Young Children. 18(1):2-15, 2005.
HELP is a family-centered, comprehensive, ongoing curriculum-based assessment and intervention process. It includes various components that are flexible to use with a range of young children (including at-risk or mildly delayed) in everyday natural settings.
However, because HELP 3-6 is a family-centered, ongoing curriculum-based assessment and intervention process and not a single instrument, it is not intended to be used for diagnosis, and, is not a standardized test that has been researched as such.
The HELP process was however, developed and continues to be updated, according to evidenced based practices using the best available research with interdisciplinary knowledge, experiences and values of professionals and families. There is an expanding evidence base related to the benefits of using authentic and "curriculum-based Assessments" and the importance of using evidence-based practices. For example: Neisworth, J.T. & Bagnato, S. J. "The MisMeasure of Young Children: the Authentic Assessment Alternative". Infants and Young Children, 17( 3):198-212, 2004. HELP 3-6 (Preschoolers) is also high-rated in the latest edition (2010) of Linking by Neisworth/Bagnato.
The following are examples of how the HELP process embraces and reflects key evidenced based practices for providing services in natural environments outlined by the Workgroup on Principles and Practices in Natural Environments (November, 2007).
Principle 1. Supporting sensitive parent-child interactions and relationships. Examples of how HELP does this:
- HELP 3-6 Assessment Manual includes guidelines for assessing supportive parent-child interactions, and guidelines for understanding and interpreting the child's skills and behaviors within the context of caregiving relationships and environments.
- HELP 3-6 Activities at Home is written from child's point of view--each hand-out provides empathetic statements and information from the baby's point of view, and helps 'reframe' challenging behaviors.
Principle 2. Supporting safe environments. Examples of how HELP does this:
- HELP 3-6 Activities at Home includes safety alerts when applicable on hand-outs related to the activities and materials suggested in the handout.
- HELP 3-6 Activities at Home recommends using only safe materials during the assessment process, and, highlights opportunities to inform families about keeping their baby safe.
Principle 3. Providing assessment and interventions in the real world of everyday experiences and interactions with familiar people in familiar contexts. Examples of how HELP does this:
- HELP 3-6 Assessment Manual has "observation opportunities" rather than strict assessment guidelines for each HELP item.
- HELP 3-6 Activities at Home has activities that are tied to everyday routines such as mealtimes, play, and toileting.
Principle 4. Encouraging and supporting parents in decision-making at every step of the EI process. HELP 3-6 provides families with clear, jargon-free information to help them make informed decisions, e.g.,
- HELP 3-6 Assessment Manual provides guidelines for encouraging and supporting parents through every step of the assessment process.
- HELP 3-6 Activities at Home gives a clear explanation on each page describing what baby is "learning" and why it is important. Suggestions are also included for supporting each family's role in the assessment process in Inside HELP's instructions, "Conducting the Assessment".
- User instructions in HELP 3-6 Activities at Home provide guidelines for using and selecting hand-outs to support family's preferences.
Principle 5. Including information and activities that are based upon research, and, integrated with expert opinion, experiences and professional wisdom about what makes sense.
- All HELP 3-6 Activities at Home activities and HELP 3-6 Assessment Manual assessment information are based upon research and an integration of interdisciplinary experts' experience. E.g. sleep positions based upon American Academy of Pediatrics; how to respond based on various reported research in journals and child development literature, encouraging motor development through dynamic approaches according to research findings in OT/PT journals, social-emotional behavioral interventions for challenging behaviors in accordance with http://challengingbehavior.org/do/resources/tacsei_resources_all.htm
- In addition, the way the activities are presented in HELP 3-6 Activities at Home, (e.g., from child's point of view, emphasis on parent child interactions, suggesting activities rather than prescribing definitive 'treatments') reflect available evidence about how parents learn best.
Principle 6. It is important to assess and address the "quality" of the child's skills and behaviors, not just skills and behaviors.
- HELP 3-6 Assessment Manual provides clear definitions and examples of quality concerns to observe for individual HELP skills/items and strands.
HELP follows and supports evidenced based practices but is not intended to provide standardized evaluation or diagnosis. HELP should be considered a complement and supplement to a full range of resources and supports.
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