Multidisciplinary assessment of children with deficits relating to attention, motor activity and perception: evaluation of the ANSER model

This study describes a process for multidisciplinary assessment of children having deficits in attention, motor activity and perception (DAMP) with an evaluation of that process based on the opinions of parents, teachers and team members. The process named the 'ANSER model' consists of six steps (I to VI) conducted over a 2-month period and a follow-up 2 years later (step VII). Parents and teachers are fully involved early in the process and their participation is considered essential for a good result. Particular consideration is given to directly helping a child understand him/herself and become aware of his/her own difficulties. Strategies to overcome those difficulties are developed together with the child, the parents and the teacher. A specific aspect of the assessment is the aim to provide therapy through discussion of the questions, thoughts and feelings evoked during, and by the process. The expectations of parents and teachers regarding the assessment, and their completion of six steps of the process were ascertained from questionnaires. A large majority of both parents and teachers had high expectations of the assessment. Slightly more parents than teachers were convinced of its necessity. Their expectations were satisfied. Parents, teachers and team members emphasized the importance of the participation of parents and teachers in the process. The average time required for a complete assessment according to the process and including the work of all the specialists was 33 hours.