Solution Selection: AT is Provided and Documented in the IEP
Making a Decision
Once trials are completed and information is gathered, it must now be utilized, but making unanimous decisions as a team can be very challenging. Having a prescriptive process can help team members know what to expect, understand their roles, and allow them to duplicate the steps while serving on other teams. Remember: All members of the team must have equal say in decisions that are made.
Roles and responsibilities during team meetings should be determined before starting and should be shared. In each team meeting, there should be at least one facilitator, a recorder, and a timekeeper.
What should team members bring to their meetings?
- The SETT process and trial information that has been gathered
- Chart paper and markers
- Pre-made forms and other resources that were used in gathering the information
- Web access as available to use online resources
- Knowledgeable person in his/her area of expertise as needed
Start by confirming the meeting’s timeframe, make introductions, and provide an overview of the process that is about to take place. Let members know that ALL input will be written and displayed.
Steps of Decision-Making
- Problem Identification – Completed during the Student, Environments, and Tasks part of the SETT process - Address both strengths and needs of student, consider demands of the environments and tasks that need to be accomplished. Before generating solutions, select one task on which to focus.
- Solution Generation – Completed during the Tools part of the SETT process – Follow brainstorming rules and use resources as needed, pre-made forms, online supports, product catalogues, etc.
- Solution Selection – Encourage discussion, combining, sequencing, and prioritizing. Seek to obtain a consensus.
- Implementation – What device(s) will be needed? What service(s) will be needed? Who will set the tool(s) up for use by the student, train the student/staff, and maintain/repair the device? Who will monitor the student’s use of the device?
- Follow-Up – Over time things change with the Student, Environments, and Tasks which may lead to changes in the Tools. There may also be new people involved, new questions may come up, or new technology may be available. Reevaluating the situation or ReSETTing is NOT starting over.
