Webinar on the Communication Matrix

1. Webinar on the Communication Matrix Area IV Deafblind Projects August 21, 2007 Charity Rowland, Ph.D. Oregon Health & Science University

2. Agenda • Development of Communication • Communication Matrix—Print versions for Professionals and Parents • Communication Matrix Online

3. Seven Levels of Early Communication

4. SEVEN LEVELS OF COMMUNICATIVE COMPETENCE

5. SEVEN LEVELS OF COMMUNICATIVE COMPETENCE

6. SEVEN LEVELS OF COMMUNICATIVE COMPETENCE

7. SEVEN LEVELS OF COMMUNICATIVE COMPETENCE

8. SEVEN LEVELS OF COMMUNICATIVE COMPETENCE

9. SEVEN LEVELS OF COMMUNICATIVE COMPETENCE

10. SEVEN LEVELS OF COMMUNICATIVE COMPETENCE

11. SEVEN LEVELS OF COMMUNICATIVE COMPETENCE

12. Communicative Behaviorsfor each Level of Early Communication

13. Communication Modes Associated with Each Level of Communication

14. Communication Modes Associated with Each Level of Communication

15. Communication Modes Associated with Each Level of Communication

16. Communication Modes Associated with Each Level of Communication

17. Communication Modes Associated with Each Level of Communication

18. Communication Modes Associated with Each Level of Communication

19. Communication Modes Associated with Each Level of Communication

20. Communication Modes Associated with Each Level of Communication

21. Communicative States, Functions and Intentsfor each Level of Early Communication

22. Development of Communicative Intent

23. Development of Communicative Intent

24. Development of Communicative Intent

25. Development of Communicative Intent

26. Development of Communicative Intent

27. Development of Communicative Intent

28. Communication Matrix:capturing the skills of individuals operating at the earliest stages of communicative competence • Communication Matrix (professionals) • Communication Matrix…Especially for Parents (English & Spanish)) • Online Communication Matrix (English & Spanish)

29. What is the Target Population? • Individuals of all ages who are at the earliest stages of communication. In the typically developing child the range of communication skills covered by the Matrix would occur between 0 and 24 months of age. • Individuals who use any type of communicative behavior, including "augmentative and alternative" (AAC) forms of communication and pre-symbolic communication. • Individuals who experience any type or degree of disability, including severe and multiple disabilities. • Individuals of all ages. • But NOT individuals who already use some form of language meaningfully and fluently. 

35. Intent is Critical!!!! Read the questions carefully!

36. Ways to REFUSE things that you don’t want • Expresses Discomfort (Level I): Can you tell when your child is uncomfortable (in pain, wet, hungry, startled)? • Protests (Level II): Can you tell when your child doesn’t want something specific such as a certain food or a toy or a game you’re playing, like tickling? • Refuses or Rejects (Levels 111-VII): Does your child intentionally show you that he or she doesn’t want a certain thing or a certain activity?

37. Question 8Requests New Object • “Does you child intentionally show you that she wants something new (such as a toy or some food) that is within her sight, hearing or touch, but that you have not offered?”

40. Completing the Profile • Shade in cells if at least one behavior is mastered for the specific state, function or intent. • Use stripes for cells if one (or more) behaviors are emerging and none are mastered.

42. Total Score From Profile, give 2 points for each cell that is mastered and 1 point for each cell that is emerging. Maximum score = 160. Highest Level of Competence Highest level (of 7) at which child has mastered behaviors. Summarizing Results

46. The Online Communication Matrix • An online version of the Communication Matrix (Rowland, 2004), an assessment designed for early communicators who use any form of communication is now available free of charge. • Users enter information about an individual’s communication skills and print out a one-page graphic profile and a list of specific communicative behaviors and intents expressed. • Entries may be updated for repeated assessments. • The data collected are used to develop scientific information about the communication skills of individuals with specific disabilities. This is a global service and research initiative.

47. Home Page: www.communicationmatrix.org

48. Your Contribution • We DO NOT request any identifying information and we have no way of tracking who has used this service. • When you complete the Matrix online, the information you provide will be stored. This information will provide valuable data about the communication skills demonstrated by individuals with various disabilities. This information may be summarized in scientific reports, professional presentations, articles in professional journals and book chapters.

49. Logging In • “Start Now” on navigation bar to left. • New Users click on button to register (requires only that you give yourself a password: a UserID is generated for you). • Returning Users have option to: View/Delete existing Matrix Resume unfinished Matrix Update starting with previous Matrix Start a Matrix on a new child