Wednesday, July 10, 2019
Evidence Based
I have been asked a few times recently if the SNAP Curriculum is "evidence based". At first, I wasn't even sure what that meant, but apparently people want to know if I have any scientific research showing that the curriculum works.
No, I do not.
The only way to judge if a person can identify their emotions is by seeing if they eventually can tell you that they are "mad" about something, or if they are "confused" about something. There isn't exactly a written test that you can give after a semester of reviewing that topic from the curriculum. Generally speaking, adults with a developmental disability don't learn things like most people do, and they most likely won't be be able to answer a test question about how to "get along with other people" or how much space is appropriate for "personal space".
Each individual is different and it may take one person several years to demonstrate an understanding of certain concepts and another person may get it in six months. You may have to repeat and review a single topic numerous times over a long period of time. But with the curriculum, every staff person over time is saying (at least approximately) the same information, so as not to confuse the client with a new message with each staff change. Consistency is important!
So, evidence based? The curriculum is a tool for staff to use to engage adults with developmental disabilities in a discussion of over 200 daily living skills topics. It isn't an academic curriculum where you review spelling for a semester and then give a standard test that can be measured against everyone else.
Does it work? My staff thought so. They used it regularly. I don't usually hear back from people who purchase the curriculum or any of my resource books. They just get them and use them. If you have used the curriculum and have a success story, I would LOVE to hear from you - jmeyers.mosscanyon@ yahoo.com .
No, I do not.
The only way to judge if a person can identify their emotions is by seeing if they eventually can tell you that they are "mad" about something, or if they are "confused" about something. There isn't exactly a written test that you can give after a semester of reviewing that topic from the curriculum. Generally speaking, adults with a developmental disability don't learn things like most people do, and they most likely won't be be able to answer a test question about how to "get along with other people" or how much space is appropriate for "personal space".
Each individual is different and it may take one person several years to demonstrate an understanding of certain concepts and another person may get it in six months. You may have to repeat and review a single topic numerous times over a long period of time. But with the curriculum, every staff person over time is saying (at least approximately) the same information, so as not to confuse the client with a new message with each staff change. Consistency is important!
So, evidence based? The curriculum is a tool for staff to use to engage adults with developmental disabilities in a discussion of over 200 daily living skills topics. It isn't an academic curriculum where you review spelling for a semester and then give a standard test that can be measured against everyone else.
Does it work? My staff thought so. They used it regularly. I don't usually hear back from people who purchase the curriculum or any of my resource books. They just get them and use them. If you have used the curriculum and have a success story, I would LOVE to hear from you - jmeyers.mosscanyon@ yahoo.com .
