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The Communication Matrix is a valuable tool for assessing the communication skills of children who are emergent communicators, developing towards formal language. The tool is a collaborative instrument that includes input from team members who work with the student (e.g., IEP manager, classroom teacher, teacher of deaf/hard of hearing, speech-language pathologist, teacher of blind/visually impaired, and others) as well as the family. It is important to include family members when using the Communication Matrix for students who have complex bodies and needs.
After completing the Communication Matrix, it's important for the team to plan for the next steps for goals, intervention, and strategies to increase the student's communication skills. The West Virginia Department of Education's website houses "Life After the Communication Matrix" resources.
Navigate through the Life After the Communication Matrix resources:
Review the Foundational Modules
a. Learn how to administer the Communication Matrix in this one-hour video.
b. The Communication Matrix Foundation for Intervention module is a three-part, introductory module that teams will use to plan intervention.
c. The Essential Strategies module discusses the various intervention strategies that should be considered for individuals at all levels of the Communication Matrix.
2. Leveled Resources
After you identify at which level the student's communication skills are, review the identified level as well as the following one to learn specific leveled strategies, additional tools, data collection strategies and tools, literacy resources, and additional resources to support the student and team's work.
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