Child-guided Strategies: The Van Dijk Approach to Assessment

Summary

AI-generated from vendor-published content · May 23, 2026

This is a professional guidebook describing how to apply the Van Dijk assessment approach — a child-guided, neurological framework used to evaluate children with combined vision and hearing loss (deafbleaf) or complex multiple disabilities. It walks practitioners through real assessment cases spanning infancy through adolescence, illustrating how to follow the child's lead rather than imposing standardized tests. The primary audience is educators, vision specialists, deafblind interveners, and early interventionists who work with children who cannot access conventional assessments. This is a reference and training resource, not a tool the child uses directly — it complements a professional's existing practice rather than replacing formal training in the Van Dijk method. Practitioners newer to the approach will get more out of it alongside mentorship or coursework, as the methodology requires some background to apply well.

What Setup Looks Like

• Out of the box
  Open the guidebook and begin reviewing case studies covering infant, young child, and adolescent assessment scenarios.
• With professional help
  
  1. A trained educator, vision specialist, or deafblind intervener should apply the Van Dijk framework under supervision the first time.
  2. Pairing this resource with formal training in deafblind assessment or a mentorship program is strongly recommended for best outcomes.

Where to Get It

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