Which practice supports realistic appraisal during parent conferences?

• A. Share levels of the child's current performance in each area
• B. Focus only on strengths
• C. Make broad generic statements
• D. Avoid giving any data

Answer: (A)

Sharing concrete, current performance levels across areas gives a clear, honest snapshot of where the child is functioning now. When parents see specific data—how the child performs in different domains, what the level of independence looks like, and how skills compare to prior periods—it establishes a realistic starting point for planning. This approach makes goal setting meaningful, because you can tie next steps to actual benchmarks and show progress over time. It also helps prevent misinterpretations or surprises, and invites parents to participate in problem-solving rather than just hearing praise or general statements. Presenting progress with both strengths and areas that need growth keeps the discussion balanced and actionable. Briefly noting trends alongside current levels and suggesting next steps or supports makes the conference productive and collaborative. Focusing only on strengths, making broad generic statements, or avoiding data all reduce the usefulness of the meeting and leave parents without a clear picture of what to expect next.