SECTION 612:10-9-32. Diagnosis and evaluation

  Through diagnosis and evaluation the rehabilitation teacher gathers information to aid in determining eligibility as well as goals and strategies that may be included in the IPE.

(1)   Diagnosis. The teacher must determine the medical causes of impairments to recognize the problems of each consumer and how they affect the ability to function. Individual differences and capabilities will be considered. The teacher will secure medical and/or psychological information when possible. If the teacher's evaluation indicates a need for medical or psychological treatment the specialist will refer the consumer to outside resources for help if it is not within the scope of rehabilitation teaching.

(2)   Vocational evaluation. The rehabilitation teacher plays an important role in the evaluation of a consumer's ability to benefit from rehabilitation services in terms of the employment outcome.

(A)   The rehabilitation teacher evaluates the consumer's characteristics and skills based on observation and assessment.

(B)   An important service provided by the teacher is the initial evaluation of the consumer's adjustment to vision loss and ability to function independently. Areas to be evaluated include, but are not limited to, consumer and family attitudes toward blindness, degree of competence in communication, personal management, home management, and basic orientation to immediate surroundings.

(3)   Family evaluation. The teacher must be aware of the family influence on the rehabilitation outcome that can be expected for an individual.

(4)   Community evaluation. Visual impairment may restrict consumer's use of and access to community resources. Location, cost, eligibility, visual prerequisites, attitudinal barriers, and the level of consumer's skills are to be considered when evaluating community resources.

(5)   Evaluation of personal adjustment skills. Prior to the development and implementation of the IPE, the rehabilitation teacher will thoroughly evaluate the consumer's functional limitations and skills, to include basic skills such as home management, communication, personal management, health management, and adjustment to disabilities.

[Source: Added at 10 Ok Reg 4633, eff 9-1-93 (emergency); Added at 11 Ok Reg 2449, eff 7-1-94; Amended at 13 Ok Reg 2239, eff 8-1-96; Amended at 21 Ok Reg 1774, eff 7-1-04; Amended at 28 Ok Reg 1832, eff 7-1-11; Amended at 33 Ok Reg 1049, eff 8-25-16]