Profile of a Child

A set of questions to guide a surrogate parent in gathering background information about the child to best support their needs. Select those questions that apply.

How does the child learn?

By watching?

By hearing?

In a group? Alone?

What does the child like or dislike about school?

What is the child's favorite part of the school day? Favorite academic subject? Least favorite subject?

What are the child's general feelings about school?

What are the child's special interests or hobbies?

What does the child enjoy doing?

Does the child like to play games by him or herself or with others?

Does the child like group sports?

Does the child play alone? With adults? With other children?

What are the child's attitudes about and relationships with other people?

With close adults such as foster parents? Other adults?

With other children? Peers?

To which school staff does the child relate well to?

What are the child's strengths?

Form E- Optional	2/11/2018

To what does the child respond?

Verbal praise?

Material things (food, toys, etc.)?

Is the child afraid of anything?

What kind of living skills and adaptive behavior does the child exhibit?

Independent or dependent upon adults?

Age-appropriate everyday functioning?

What is the child's developmental history?

Age of walking? Age of talking?

Does the child compensate for the disability?

When did this begin? (For example, at what age did a child who is deaf begin using sign language?

When did the child with a physical disability begin using a wheelchair?)

What is the child's medical history?

Is there a history of medical problems affecting education?

Is the child currently taking any medication?

Use additional paper and sources as needed.

Form E- Optional	2/11/2018