Observational assessment of toy preferences among young children with disabilities in inclusive settings. Efficiency analysis and comparison with staff opinion.

Numerous investigations have demonstrated means of assessing preferences among students and adults with disabilities. In contrast, there has been little attention on preference identification among young children. We evaluated a preference assessment with 7 toddlers and preschoolers with disabilities in inclusive programs. First, identification of toy-play preferences was compared across three assessments that varied in amount of toy-play behavior sampled and time required for implementation (5-, 10-, and 15-session assessments). Second, results of the assessments were compared to staff opinion. Results indicated the most efficient assessment identified preferences that generally were consistent with preferences identified with the less time-efficient assessments. Results also indicated staff reports did not consistently indicate which toys were played with most frequently. Overall, results demonstrate an efficient means of determining preferences among young children with disabilities in inclusive settings. Results also suggest that staff opinion should not be relied on exclusively to determine preferences.