Affiliations: Child Development & Rehabilitation Center, Oregon
Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
Note: [] Corresponding author: Dr. Charity Rowland, Child Development
& Rehabilitation Center, Oregon Health & Science University, 707 SW
Gaines Rd., Portland, OR 97239, USA. Tel.: +1 503 494 2263; Fax: +1 503 494
2859; E-mail: rowlandc@ohsu.edu
Abstract: The Communication Matrix [20] is an assessment instrument that is
designed to evaluate the expressive communication skills of children with
severe and multiple disabilities. It accommodates any type of communicative
behavior, including forms of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC)
such as picture systems, electronic devices, sign language and 3-dimensional
symbols; pre-symbolic communication such as gestures, body movements, sounds,
eye gaze and facial expressions; as well as the typical forms of communication
such as speech and writing. It covers seven levels of communication observed in
typically developing infants during the first two years of life. The
instrument, which is widely used to assess children with severe acquired and
congenital disorders in community and school settings, is appropriate for both
inpatient and outpatient pediatric rehabilitation. Data from an associated
database demonstrating the value of this tool for clinical service and research
are presented.
Keywords: Assessment, communication skills, online tool
