Webinar Title
Evidence-Based Assessment Accommodations for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Date and Time
Thursday, November 5, 2026
11:00 am – 12:30 pm CST
Abstract
Standardized cognitive and educational assessments are essential for informing diagnosis, educational planning, intervention, and research for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Yet communication, behavioral, sensory, and motor challenges can interfere with test validity, requiring thoughtful accommodations that preserve meaningful and interpretable results. This introductory-level webinar presents an evidence-based framework for planning, implementing, evaluating, and reporting assessment accommodations using the cycle of assessment. Participants will review legal, ethical, and professional standards that support individualized assessment practices, distinguish accommodations from modifications, and learn practical strategies for enhancing accessibility. Case examples will illustrate how to select, document, and evaluate accommodations to support valid and meaningful assessment outcomes.
Learning Objectives
Following this webinar, attendees will be able to:
- Describe legal, ethical, and professional considerations for accommodating standardized assessments for individuals with IDD.
- Distinguish between assessment accommodations and modifications to support valid assessment.
- Apply the cycle of assessment to plan and evaluate the validity of standardized assessments with individuals with IDD.
Bio
Talia Thompson, PhD, is an Assistant Professor in the Graduate School of Professional Psychology at the University of Denver. She is a licensed psychologist and Nationally Certified School Psychologist with expertise in child and adolescent behavioral health, neurodevelopmental disabilities, and psychological assessment. Her research focuses on developing and evaluating clinical assessments and interventions for children and families affected by neurodevelopmental and rare genetic conditions.