The TELSTAR project serves preschool handicapped children in all categories of disabilities in a three-county rural area of Northeastern Michigan. Services are home-based from ages 0 to 3, with the children placed in appropriate group programs at approximately age 3. The assessment and evaluation of child progress is done using a standardized assessment tool and by coding video tape segments. The Alpern-Boll Developmental Profile provides performance age scores in five areas of development and, when assessment is done each 3 months or so, provides a growth profile. The assessment by video tape provides information on types and quality of a child's communications and behaviors which are coded for frequency and duration and contribute to the growth profile. (Author/SBH)