When working with students in Life Skills classrooms, I often have a hard time writing a comprehensive present levels in their IEP.  I try to talk about the 3 areas of language, semantics, pragmatics, and syntax, and then speech production (articulation/phonology, voice and fluency).  However, it seems to be flimsy.  What should we highlight in each of those areas to make a well written present levels with strengths and weaknesses?

Semantics:

Talk about the student’s current level of understanding of vocabulary words.  If you have developmental levels, include those.  Talk about how the student’s lack of understanding of grade-level appropriate vocabulary words limits the student’s ability to:

• Follow directions in the classroom
• Participate in classroom discussions with peers
• Understand lectures given by classroom teachers
• Participate in various life skills (specifically mention skills that are being targeted in that child’s curriculum that are being affected)

Syntax and Speech Production:

Talk about how the student’s intelligibility is impacted by these areas and how that limits the student’s ability to:

• Communicate basic wants and needs effectively in the school environment
• Participate in classroom discussions
• Present information orally to share information with peers or so teachers can assess knowledge and skill acquisition
• Participate in various life skills (specifically mention skills that are being targeted in that child’s curriculum that are being affected)

Pragmatics:

Talk about the student’s current ability levels with social skills such as conversational skills and following social norms.  Talk about how skill deficits impact the child’s ability to:

• Establish and maintain appropriate social relationships with peers and teachers
• Interact with peers during group assignments and projects
• Navigate social interactions throughout the school day
• Participate in various life skills (specifically mention skills that are being targeted in that child’s curriculum that are being affected)

Literacy:

Talk about the student’s current reading and writing skills and how they impact the child’s ability to:

• Follow written directions
• Participate in classroom activities
• Gain information from age-appropriate texts
• Convey information in written form to share information with peers or so teachers can assess knowledge and skill acquisition
• Participate in various life skills (specifically mention skills that are being targeted in that child’s curriculum that are being affected)