Project Description:
Purpose: to implement, validate and disseminate the integrated Communication Matrix Suite
through a virtual community of practice (CoP) to improve communication outcomes for students with
complex communication needs (CCN).
Summary: Children with severe disabilities often experience complex communication needs
(CCN), in many cases requiring the use of augmentative/ alternative communication (AAC). Deficits in
communication and language are so basic that they affect many other skill areas including all aspects of
social-emotional development, language/literacy development, educational achievement, participation in
the general curriculum and membership in society as a whole. Children with labels such as autism,
multiple disabilities, deafblindness, as well as those with low-incidence disorders such as Rett syndrome
or CHARGE syndrome may exhibit a perplexing mosaic of strengths and apparent deficits related to
communication skills that are not well captured by typical assessment instruments. Without a
comprehensive and consistent assessment protocol, appropriate intervention is elusive, and monitoring of
educational progress is not possible.
A Steppingstones Phase 1 project funded the development, adaptation, refinement and evaluation
of a valid and reliable online assessment tool to provide appropriate assessment of communication skills
in children with CCN. The Communication Matrix is designed to be used by parents and teachers
collaboratively. Our current Steppingstones Phase 2 project has underwritten the development of a full
suite of assessment components, including a report function to develop appropriate educational goals. The
web site (www.communicationmatrix.org) is popular among professionals and parents on an individual
basis; but the nature of the target population (low incidence and widely dispersed) makes it difficult for
users to share their experiences to benefit each other and their students. Through the proposed
implementation project, we will develop and integrate a virtual community of practice into the Matrix
suite to support widespread implementation and information exchange among users.
Target population: Children ages 0-21who have CCN associated with a wide variety of lowincidence
and severe disabilities will be the primary targeted beneficiaries. Their teachers and speechlanguage
pathologists will also benefit, as will their family members who are encouraged to use the
assessment service. Students will be enrolled in schools in OR, MI, IL and TX.
Proposed products: A number of new components (including data-based portraits of
communication development in specific populations and a mobile application) will be developed and
integrated into a virtual community of practice. Supporting training materials will be developed.
Proposed outcomes: Participating teachers and SLPs will learn how to best to support their
students with CCN by using the Communication Matrix suite and participating in the CoP. Family
members will participate in the assessment of their children and in the development of IEP/IFSPgoals and
will report satisfaction with IEP/IFSP goals related to communication. Students will develop new
communication skills, achieve IEP/IFSP goals related to communication, and participate in general
classroom activities.
Key Collaborators: Oregon Health & Science University is the lead agency. OX Data (Portland,
OR, the original developer of the Matrix) will provide technical development and support. Educational
agencies in OR, MI, IL and TX will provide development, pilot and disseminations sites.
Design: After new components are developed, participants will receive training, coaching and
establish membership in the CoP. Components will be iteratively improved as evaluative data are
collected from users at development and pilot sites.
Evaluation measures: a) ratings of IEP/IFSPgoals by independent raters who are blind to
condition; b) parent satisfaction with childs IEP/IFSPgoals; c) professional satisfaction with using the
Matrix suite; d) fidelity of implementation by teachers and SLPs; e) student performance data collected
before, during and after project participation; and (f) follow-up data on use of the Matrix suite and CoP.
Core Function(s):
Performing Research or Evaluation, Developing & Disseminating Information, Continuing Education/Community Training
Area of Emphasis
Education & Early Intervention, Health-Related Activities, Quality of Life, Other - Assistive Technology
Target Audience:
Professionals and Para-Professionals, Family Members/Caregivers, Children/Adolescents with Disabilities/SHCN
Unserved or Under-served Populations:
Racial or Ethnic Minorities, Disadvantaged Circumstances
