A r c h i v e d  I n f o r m a t i o n

Audience Approved by PEP for families who have infants or young children (0-5 years) with multihandicap sensory impairments and other disabilities.

Description The major goal of the INSITE Model program is to identify families with young children who are multidisabled with sensory impairment as close to their birth as possible and provide their families with complete home programming that will facilitate the children's optimal development.

Specific goals for the program are: the child will be able to interact meaningfully with other persons in the home and with objects in play; use residual sight and/or hearing as well as possible; build a communication system to convey his/her basic wants, needs, feelings, and observations; and reach the highest level of independence possible. The family is encouraged to have a warm, positive relationship with the child; understand the child's disabilities; provide a stimulating interactive home environment; and develop the skills and knowledge necessary to assist in setting goals for their child.

Elements of the program include identification and screening, direct services, support services such as physical and occupational therapy and medical services, and a program management system. All aspects of service are provided either directly or indirectly by INSITE support staff.

Evidence of Effectiveness A national data system collects yearly information on demographic status and child/parent progress for all participating adoption programs. Documented outcomes and benefits: (1) gains in five developmental areas (motor, perception, daily living, cognition/communication/language, and socialization) by children in INSITE programming are higher than would be expected due to maturation alone; (2) rate of growth in these areas accelerates during INSITE intervention; (3) families receiving INSITE services keep their children at home rather than placing them in institutions; (4) parents acquire skills they can use to facilitate their children's development; and (5) parents themselves perceive a significant improvement in their abilities to manage and promote their children's development.

Requirements Minimal requirements for program implementation include one full-time or part-time parent advisor to make weekly home visits, basic training for six days, a two-volume INSITE manual and other teaching/testing materials, support staff and materials, and a supervisor (for larger programs).

Costs Cost per child for 11 months of service is approximately $1,925 including direct and indirect costs.

Services Awareness materials are available at no cost. Visitors are welcome by appointment at demonstration sites in their home state and out of state. Program staff are available to attend out-of-state awareness meetings (costs to be negotiated). Training is available at adopter sites (costs to be negotiated). Implementation and follow-up services are available to adopters (costs to be negotiated).

Contact

Don Barringer, Director, SKI-HI Institute, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322-1900. (801) 752-4601, FAX (801) 755-0317.

Developmental Funding: U.S. Office of Special Education, Handicapped Children's Early Education Program, and the Utah State Legislature.
PEP No. 89-3 (3/24/89)

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[ADAPT, Project]

[Lab School of Washington, The (LSW)]