During this two and a half-day series, participants will recognize the communication abilities of learners with significant disabilities by focusing on assessing levels of communication for learners at the non-symbolic or early symbolic level of communication. The Communication Matrix ( Rowland, C., 2006) will be used to review the assessment process and how to target level for instruction and programming. Day two will continue with the pre-symbolic stages and intervention strategies to further the individual's communicative abilities in expressive communication development. Session and materials costs are partially funded through state and federal grants.
Learner Objectives:
1. Participants will be able to describe the Communication Matrix’s 7 levels of expressive communication development
2. Participants will be able to identify learners’ present level of expressive communication
3. Participants will be able to describe at least two intervention strategies for the learner at the pre-symbolic level of communication
4. Participants will be able to describe at least two intervention strategies for the learner at the early symbolic level of communication.
This session is offered for a total of 1.45 continuing education units (CEUs), intermediate level, from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). Days 1-2 are offered for 1.15 CEUs, and day 3 is offered for 0.3 CEUs.
