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Communication Matrix Assessment Report

The report evaluates the communication skills of a 6-year-old child with CHARGE Syndrome using the Communication Matrix assessment. It indicates that the child is primarily operating at Level III, utilizing unconventional pre-symbolic behaviors for communication, and has shown progress in new skills since the last assessment. Recommendations include increasing the use of concrete symbols and expanding communication opportunities in various contexts.

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
212 views9 pages

Communication Matrix Assessment Report

The report evaluates the communication skills of a 6-year-old child with CHARGE Syndrome using the Communication Matrix assessment. It indicates that the child is primarily operating at Level III, utilizing unconventional pre-symbolic behaviors for communication, and has shown progress in new skills since the last assessment. Recommendations include increasing the use of concrete symbols and expanding communication opportunities in various contexts.

Uploaded by

csinhb
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Report ID: 17654

GENERAL

Georgia
Client Name: Evaluation
Pagano 5/15/2013
Date:
Client's Report
Georgie Shore Lake
Name: Clinic:
Services
Report Date: 6/11/2013

ABOUT THE COMMUNICATION MATRIX

The Communication Matrix is a communication skills assessment designed for the parent and
professional to evaluate communication in individuals with disabilities. The Communication Matrix is
unique in measuring all possible communicative behaviors in non speaking individuals and
accommodates any type of communicative behavior, including augmentative and alternative forms of
communication, pre-symbolic communication and typical forms of communication such as speech
and writing. The measure covers seven levels of communication occurring during the earliest stages
of communication seen in typically developing individuals. Completed profiles allow parents and
professionals to directly compare the information they have across settings to provide a
comprehensive portrait of an individual’s communication skills. The Communication Matrix is available
in print and as an online service. Complete information about this assessment is available at
[Link]

PERSONAL INFORMATION

Age: 6 years 3 months Primary Diagnosis: CHARGE Syndrome

EDUCATIONAL INFORMATION

School / Program: Lakeside Elementary Grade: 1

PREVIOUS COMMUNICATION ASSESSMENTS

Previous Date: 9/9/2012

Georgia Pagano Report Provided by [Link] 6/11/2013 Page 1 / 9


PREVIOUS COMMUNICATION MATRIX PROFILE

MatrixID = 69142

A1 A2 A3
I
Pre- Expresses Expresses Comfort Expresses Interest
Intentional Discomfort in Other People
Behavior
Key: = Surpassed
I I I

B1 B2 B3 B4
= Not Used
II Protests Continues an Action Obtains More of Something Attracts Attention
Intentional
Behavior

II II II II = Emerging
C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6 C8 C9
III Refuses Requests Requests Requests Makes Requests Requests Shows
Unconventional or More of a New More of Choices a New Attention Affection
= Mastered
Communication Rejects an Action Action an Object Object
Something
III III III III III III III III

C10 C11 C12 C13 C14 C15


IV Refuses Requests Requests Requests Makes Requests Requests Shows Greets Offers Direct Polite Answers Asks
Conventional or More of a New More of Choices a New Attention Affection People Things Your Social "Yes" Questions
Communication Rejects an Action Action an Object Object or Attention Forms and "No"
Something Shares
IV IV IV IV IV IV IV IV IV IV IV IV IV IV

C7 C16 C17
V Refuses Requests Requests Requests Makes Requests Requests Requests Shows Greets Offers Direct Polite Answers Asks Names Makes
Concrete or More of a New More of Choices a New Objects Attention Affection People Things Your Social "Yes" Questions Things Comments
Symbols Rejects an Action Action an Object Object that are or Attention Forms and "No" or
Something Shares People
V V V V V V V V V V V V V V V V V

VI Refuses Requests Requests Requests Makes Requests Requests Requests Shows Greets Offers Direct Polite Answers Asks Names Makes
Abstract or More of a New More of Choices a New Objects Attention Affection People Things Your Social "Yes" Questions Things Comments
Symbols Rejects an Action Action an Object Object that are or Attention Forms and "No" or
Something Shares People
VI VI VI VI VI VI VI VI VI VI VI VI VI VI VI VI VI

Refuses Requests Requests Requests Makes Requests Requests Requests Shows Greets Offers Direct Polite Answers Asks Names Makes
VII
or More of a New More of Choices a New Objects Attention Affection People Things Your Social "Yes" Questions Things Comments
Language
Rejects an Action Action an Object Object that are or Attention Forms and "No" or
Something Shares People
VII VII VII VII VII VII VII VII VII VII VII VII VII VII VII VII VII

Georgia Pagano Report Provided by [Link] 6/11/2013 Page 2 / 9


CURRENT COMMUNICATION MATRIX PROFILE

MatrixID = 69143

A1 A2 A3
I
Pre- Expresses Expresses Comfort Expresses Interest
Intentional Discomfort in Other People
Behavior
Key: = Surpassed
I I I

B1 B2 B3 B4
= Not Used
II Protests Continues an Action Obtains More of Something Attracts Attention
Intentional
Behavior

II II II II = Emerging
C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6 C8 C9
III Refuses Requests Requests Requests Makes Requests Requests Shows
Unconventional or More of a New More of Choices a New Attention Affection
= Mastered
Communication Rejects an Action Action an Object Object
Something
III III III III III III III III

C10 C11 C12 C13 C14 C15


IV Refuses Requests Requests Requests Makes Requests Requests Shows Greets Offers Direct Polite Answers Asks
Conventional or More of a New More of Choices a New Attention Affection People Things Your Social "Yes" Questions
Communication Rejects an Action Action an Object Object or Attention Forms and "No"
Something Shares
IV IV IV IV IV IV IV IV IV IV IV IV IV IV

C7 C16 C17
V Refuses Requests Requests Requests Makes Requests Requests Requests Shows Greets Offers Direct Polite Answers Asks Names Makes
Concrete or More of a New More of Choices a New Objects Attention Affection People Things Your Social "Yes" Questions Things Comments
Symbols Rejects an Action Action an Object Object that are or Attention Forms and "No" or
Something Shares People
V V V V V V V V V V V V V V V V V

VI Refuses Requests Requests Requests Makes Requests Requests Requests Shows Greets Offers Direct Polite Answers Asks Names Makes
Abstract or More of a New More of Choices a New Objects Attention Affection People Things Your Social "Yes" Questions Things Comments
Symbols Rejects an Action Action an Object Object that are or Attention Forms and "No" or
Something Shares People
VI VI VI VI VI VI VI VI VI VI VI VI VI VI VI VI VI

Refuses Requests Requests Requests Makes Requests Requests Requests Shows Greets Offers Direct Polite Answers Asks Names Makes
VII
or More of a New More of Choices a New Objects Attention Affection People Things Your Social "Yes" Questions Things Comments
Language
Rejects an Action Action an Object Object that are or Attention Forms and "No" or
Something Shares People
VII VII VII VII VII VII VII VII VII VII VII VII VII VII VII VII VII

Georgia Pagano Report Provided by [Link] 6/11/2013 Page 3 / 9


CURRENT COMMUNICATION SKILLS LIST

C1. Refuses or Rejects Something


Skill Behavior Mastery

scream, whine Mastered

frown, grimace Mastered

pushes away object or person Mastered

specific vocalizations ("uh-uh") Emerging

rejects object symbol representing


Emerging
unwanted item

C2. Requests More of an Action


Skill Behavior Mastery

leg movements (kick) Mastered

takes your hand Mastered

holds hands up or out to you (for "up") Mastered

indicates object symbol representing


Emerging
desired action

3-dimensional symbols for snack, PE,sensory play

C3. Requests a New Action


Skill Behavior Mastery

indicates object symbol representing


Emerging
desired action

C4. Requests More of an Object


Skill Behavior Mastery

reaches toward or taps object Emerging

guides your hand to or pulls you over to


Mastered
desired item

indicates object symbol representing


Mastered
desired item

C5. Makes Choices


Skill Behavior Mastery

Georgia Pagano Report Provided by [Link] 6/11/2013 Page 4 / 9


reaches toward, touches or taps desired
Emerging
item (without taking it)

indicates object symbol representing


Emerging
desired item

C6. Requests a New Object


Skill Behavior Mastery

guides your hand to or pulls you over to


Emerging
desired item

Not sure if understands purpose of switch or if can hear the message.

C8. Requests Attention


Skill Behavior Mastery

activates switch or "calling device" Emerging

coo, squeal Mastered

touches you Mastered

C9. Shows Affection


Skill Behavior Mastery

coo, squeal Mastered

smile Mastered

touches you Mastered

hugs, kisses, pats you Mastered

C10. Greets People


Skill Behavior Mastery

waves "hi" or "bye" Mastered

C11. Offers Things or Shares


Skill Behavior Mastery

gives or shows something to you Emerging

Georgia Pagano Report Provided by [Link] 6/11/2013 Page 5 / 9


PRIMARY LEVEL AT WHICH CLIENT IS OPERATING

Unconventional pre-symbolic behaviors are used intentionally to


communicate. Communicative behaviors are “pre-symbolic”
because they do not involve any sort of symbol; they are
Level III. Unconventional
"unconventional" because they are not socially acceptable for us to
Communication
use as we grow older. Communicative behaviors include body
movements, vocalizations, facial expressions and simple gestures
(such as tugging on people).

PERCENTAGE OF MESSAGES EXPRESSED AT EACH LEVEL

l Level 1: 100%
l Level 2: 100%
l Level 3: 87.5%
l Level 4: 35.7%
l Level 5: 29.4%
l Level 6: 0%
l Level 7: 0%

CATEGORIES OF BEHAVIOR USED TO COMMUNICATE

l Early Sounds
l Facial Expressions
l Simple Gestures
l Conventional Gestures & Vocals
l Concrete Symbols
l Body Movements

OTHER IMPRESSIONS OR OBSERVATIONS

Georgie has become increasingly sociable this year.

Georgia Pagano Report Provided by [Link] 6/11/2013 Page 6 / 9


SUMMARY OF PROGRESS SINCE LAST ASSESSMENT

is operating on the same level as s/he was


This evaluation shows that client previously, but has gained some new skills at a
higher level

l C3. Requests a New Action


New messages either emerging or mastered l C6. Request a New Object
since last assessment l C11. Offers Things or Shares

New types of communicative behavior l Concrete Symbols

Georgie is making progress in the use of


Additional observations to describe client's
tangible symbols for favorite activities and toys.
progress more thoroughly
She is less frustrated.

Quantitative estimate of change (points


11
gained since last assessment - MAX 160)

Georgia Pagano Report Provided by [Link] 6/11/2013 Page 7 / 9


RECOMMENDATIONS

LEVEL 1

LEVEL 2

LEVEL 3

LEVEL 4

LEVEL 5
l Description of Level V
¡ Symbols represent, or stand for, something else. At Level V, individuals use “concrete"

symbols that physically resemble what they represent. They look like, feel like, move like
or sound like whatever they represent. Concrete symbols include pictures, objects (such
as a shoelace to represent "shoe"), "iconic" gestures (such as patting a chair to say "sit
down") and sounds (such as making a buzzing sound to mean “bee”). Most individuals
skip this stage and go directly to Level VI. But for some individuals, concrete symbols
may be the only type of symbol that makes sense to them; for others they may serve as
a bridge to using abstract symbols. Typically developing children use concrete symbols in
conjunction with gestures and words, but not as a separate stage.
l General Goals For Level V
¡ Increase the number of different symbols (vocabulary) in the symbol mode that the client

currently uses.
¡ Expand the use of concrete symbols to new contexts, partners, materials and settings.

Intents to Target and Specific Suggestions


C2. Requests More of an l Choose a motivating activity, for example:

Action bubbles, balloons, swinging, tickle, taking a


bath, taking a walk, reading books, singing a
song at circle time, or action toys or electronic
musical devices that Georgie needs your
assistance to activate. Every once in a while,
stop the action or turn off the device. Don’t
start it again until Georgie uses the targeted
concrete symbol to ask for more of the action.
Continue to provide opportunities for {him/her}
to make requests throughout the activity.

C2. Specific Level 5 3-D symbols for major activities of day, especially
behaviors to target preferred activities.
C2. Other Suggestions Use 3-D activity symbols to "announce" new
activities before you begin them (to give Georgie a
chance to learn what the symbols mean).
C3. Request a New Action l Since Georgie has a sensory impairment, it’s
important to use a variety of sensory
modalities. Instead of changing the activity
quickly, tell {him/her} ahead of time verbally
and tactilely. This allows {him/her} the chance
to anticipate a change and communicate to you
that {s/he} wants something new.

C3. Specific Level 5 Independently head to appropriate area when given


behaviors to target a symbol for an activity.

Georgia Pagano Report Provided by [Link] 6/11/2013 Page 8 / 9


C5. Specific Level 5 Touching or giving correct 3-D symbol after you
behaviors to target have determined what Georgie really wants at the
moment. If desire is not clear, pair symbols for
preferred items with symbols for non-preferred
items.
C5. Makes Choices l Present Georgie a choice of one favorite item
and one that {s/he} dislikes. Don’t give
{him/her} the desired item until {s/he} shows
you which one {s/he} wants, using the
appropriate concrete symbol. Offer choices
throughout the day and during a variety of
activities like snack, dressing routines, bath
time, songs or book reading.

Monitoring Progress
Touching/giving appropriate symbol after activity
is stopped, when she wants more of an item, or
Type of data:(e.g. pointing
to make a choice. Demonstrate comprehension of
to desired object, using
a 3-D symbol by going to correct activity area or
manual sign to request help)
by selecting appropriate item when given a
symbol for it.
How to measure behavior
(e.g., frequency of behavior,
Level of assistance
accuracy, independence,
level of assistance)
How often to take data
(e.g., once a week at snack, 1 X per week in each major activity
every day at circle time)
Who will take the data Rose and Sean
Criterion for success (e.g.
Independently touches/gives correct symbol to
points to desired object to
ask for more or independently demonstrates
verbal cue of "What do you
comprehension of symbols in 3/4 opportunities
want" at least 75% of the
when give choice of at least 2 symbols at a time.
time)

LEVEL 6

LEVEL 7

Georgia Pagano Report Provided by [Link] 6/11/2013 Page 9 / 9

Common questions

Powered by AI

Georgia faces challenges in understanding and using abstract symbols, as indicated by her progress being limited to pre-symbolic and concrete symbol levels. These challenges can be addressed by gradually introducing a wider variety of symbols and contexts, using sensory modalities to enhance comprehension, and focusing on her expressed needs and preferences to motivate symbol use .

Georgia is currently operating primarily at Level III, which involves using unconventional pre-symbolic behaviors intentionally without symbolic representation. This level involves actions that are communicative but lack traditional symbolic meaning, such as body movements and simple gestures .

Georgia has mastered skills such as expressing discomfort or interest through facial expressions, using vocalizations like coos, squeals, and basic gestures like waving. Emerging skills include rejecting objects or requests using symbols, greeting people, and offering or sharing items, which shows her growing engagement in interactive communication .

At Level V, it was recommended to increase the vocabulary in the symbol mode and expand the use of concrete symbols to new contexts. Specific strategies included using 3-D symbols for major daily activities and employing a variety of sensory modalities due to her sensory impairment. These actions aim to facilitate understanding and usage of symbols to request more actions, new objects, and make choices .

Georgia has made progress by developing new skills such as requesting a new action, requesting a new object, and offering things or sharing. There has also been a noted increase in her use of tangible symbols for favorite activities, indicating reduced frustration and some advancement in communicative behavior .

At Level III, the Communication Matrix evaluates unconventional pre-symbolic behaviors that are used intentionally but lack symbolic representation. These behaviors include body movements, vocalizations, facial expressions, and simple gestures such as tugging on people, which are utilized to communicate .

The Communication Matrix assesses a wide range of behaviors, from pre-intentional to intentional communicative acts, unconventional to conventional behaviors, and the use of concrete to abstract symbols. It evaluates expressions of discomfort and interest, protests, requests, and social interaction forms, allowing for comprehensive profiling of communication abilities. This range is crucial for non-verbal individuals as it accommodates different communicative approaches and developmental stages .

Concrete symbols are significant as they represent tangible objects or actions that physically resemble what they stand for. For individuals like Georgia, who may not transition directly to using abstract symbols, concrete symbols provide a necessary bridge to more advanced communication or serve as an effective long-term communication method. This includes using pictures, iconic gestures, and sounds to represent actions or objects .

The Communication Matrix is unique because it measures all possible communicative behaviors, including augmentative and alternative forms, pre-symbolic communication, and typical forms such as speech and writing. It provides a comprehensive portrait by allowing for the evaluation of communication across different settings using seven communication levels observed in typically developing individuals .

Unconventional communication strategies in Georgia's development include pre-symbolic behaviors like body movements and simple gestures, reflecting early developmental stages. Conventional strategies involve more socially recognizable forms, such as using specific gestures and vocalizations, and they signify Georgia's gradual transition to more structured communication. The focus is on easing her into conventional methods while maintaining the effectiveness of unconventional strategies where necessary .

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