The paper describes the diagnostic and prescriptive medical model used by most special educators and presents an alternative model based on the work of Jean Piaget. The author contends that the presently used model is useless both educationally and for research purposes because the teaching and learning process is more complex than the medical model allows. The author lists both the strengths and weaknesses of the diagnostic and prescriptive model. Steps in the author's alternative model include observing, recording, projecting, evaluating, and altering. It is suggested that this model is a viable alternative for research purposes and for day to day use in the classroom because it matches the instructional process between student and teacher. (Author/PHR)