This one-hour session introduces school psychologists to practical methods for assessing students with multiple disabilities, particularly those with moderate-to-profound intellectual disabilities, to create meaningful and instructionally useful IEPs. Participants will learn how to use the Low Incidence Questionnaire (LIQ) to gather functional information beyond record review, providing a clearer picture of student needs across key developmental domains. In addition, the session will highlight Edward Zigler's "curve within a curve" concept for interpreting adaptive behavior results, enabling school psychologists to make more accurate "apples-to-apples" comparisons that better reflect the relative development of these students. Attendees will leave with concrete tools—including structured interviews, goal banks—to bridge assessment results with individualized IEP goals that inform daily instruction and enhance communication with families and educators.

Learning Objectives:

1. Apply the Low Incidence Questionnaire (LIQ) framework to gather meaningful, functional information about students with multiple disabilities beyond traditional record review.
2. Interpret adaptive behavior results using Edward Zigler’s “curve within a curve” concept, ensuring school psychologists compare students with intellectual disabilities to appropriate peer groups rather than typically developing norms.
3. Translate assessment findings into practical IEP present levels and measurable goals/objectives that address health stability, engagement, communication, motivation, and self-advocacy, supported by teacher- and parent-friendly tools.

Presenter:  John Zbornik, PhD

John Zbornik, Ph.D., is a School Psychologist with over 30 years of practice. John is in private practice specializing in assessing Learning Disabilities, Autism, Attention Problems, Anxiety, Depression, and Academic Anxiety Disorders. John's research interests have concentrated on Academic Anxiety Disorders, particularly Reading Anxiety.

1 Hours Earned

Thanks to the generosity of our presenter, OSPA is able to provide this webinar for FREE to members.  Non-member cost is $15.

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