Sensory-Based Assessments with Darlene Norman, May Nguyen, and Katie Pettersen

Considering the vast breadth of the NASP Practice Model, it is understandable that few school psychology graduate programs have the time to thoroughly address how to support individuals with sensory loss, such as low vision, blindness, deafness, hearing loss, and deafblindness. Students with sensory loss are a part of very low-incidence populations. Many school psychologists have limited opportunities to work with students with sensory loss in their careers. When encountering an initial or triennial evaluation for a student with sensory loss for the first time, determining how to appropriately conduct an evaluation may seem daunting. Evaluations provide the chance to gather meaningful data to drive appropriate recommendations to support students’ independence and competency. Join this session to learn best practices for evaluating students with sensory loss, explore available test kits and tools, consider expanded core curriculum needs for meaningful recommendations, and receive resources for further self-study. 

Our presentation will begin with a priming activity to determine the experiences of those in the room. We will share information about best practices when working with students with different types of sensory loss. We will discuss strategies for assessing children with different types of sensory loss and how to go about selecting appropriate assessments to obtain valid and reliable assessment results. We will share ways that school psychologists can effectively collaborate with a variety of service providers and IEP team members to positively support their students. By the end of the presentation, practicing school psychologists and graduate students will have more tools in their toolbox to support students at their sites with differing sensory loss needs. 

Learn how to validly evaluate and create meaningful recommendations for students with sensory loss. This intermediate-level session is for school psychologists with introductory knowledge about sensory loss. After this session, participants will be able to: 

• Identify whom to consult with and the necessary steps to prepare for the evaluation. 

• Describe best practices for evaluating students with sensory impairments (e.g., low vision, blindness, deafness, hearing loss, and deafblindness). 

• Delineate considerations for meaningful recommendations specific to the needs relating to sensory loss. 

Knowledge and skills gained from this workshop are related to the following NASP domains: 

• Data-Based Decision Making 

• Consultation and Collaboration 

• Equitable Practices for Diverse Student Populations 

• Research and Evidence-Based Practice

• Legal, Ethical, and Professional Practice

This workshop will be recorded.

Darlene Norman is a Licensed Educational Psychologist and a Diplomate of School Neuropsychology, with over 18 years of experience working in public education with educational teams from birth to 22 as a school psychologist and special education administrator in Washington State and California. She and her husband are the proud parents of a vivacious 12-year-old with deafblindness. Darlene is a lifelong learner who enjoys serving her professional community through school psychology associations at the local and state levels, as well as advocating for the needs of individuals with deaf-blindness within the state and national disability organizations in Sacramento and Washington, DC. Darlene has served as Past President of the Santa Clara County Association of School Psychologists, is a recipient of the California Association of School Psychologists Nadine Lambert Outstanding School Psychologist Award, and a co-founding member of Resilient Minds Collective. She serves as a parent liaison with the California DeafBlind Network of Family Support Providers and the National Family Association for DeafBlind, as an affiliate leader and Policy, Information, and Education committee member.

May Nguyen is a Licensed Educational Psychologist and Nationally Certified School Psychologist with the California School of the Blind Assessment Center. She is also a co-founding member of Resilient Minds Collective. May serves as the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) BVIPsych Interest Group Co-Coordinator and is a member of the California Association of School Psychologists (CASP) Assessment Committee. In addition, she has taught as an adjunct faculty member for the School Psychology Program at California State University, East Bay, and guest lectured at universities across the country. Her efforts to serve the community were recognized with the Laura Whitmore Meritorious Service Award from the Santa Clara County Association of School Psychologists and a Certificate of Appreciation from the Community Advisory Committee of SELPA III, Santa Clara County, for "above and beyond" service to children.

Katie is a Nationally Certified School Psychologist, Licensed Educational Psychologist, and Diplomate of School Neuropsychology who has worked within the K-12 school setting for the past 11 years. She is passionate about working to better the lives of the students, families, and staff with whom she works. Katie’s areas of interest within the field of school psychology include mental health awareness, learning differences, Autism Spectrum Disorders, ADHD, supporting LGBTQ+ youth, and neuropsychology.

Katie is also passionate about policy related to special education and mental health, and regularly engages in advocacy at the California state capitol. Katie serves as Past President of the Santa Clara County Association of School Psychologists (SCCASP) and Affiliate Representative on the California Association of School Psychologists (CASP) Board of Directors.

This course meets the qualifications for 3 hours of continuing education credit for LEPs, LMFTs, LPCCs and LCSWs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. This course also qualifies for 3 hours of continuing professional development for Nationally Certified School Psychologists, under provider number 1025. CASP maintains responsibility for the program and its content.

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Membership fees:

• Regular/Associate: $30
• Retired/Student: $20

For disability assistance, please contact events@sccasp.org.