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Communication Matrix as IEP Team Evaluation Tool

Author-Avatar Chris Gibbons

7/13/2015 7:30 AM

I have had tremendous success using the Communication Matrix as a way to smooth out wrinkles between IEP team members. The IEP process itself can at times reveal stark differences of opinion about what a child's communication behaviors are and what those behaviors represent. This can often lead to disagreement (not always a bad thing) or taking sides and attempting to recruit other team members to back up one particular perspective (usually a dysfunctional outcome). Having key team members including the SLP, educator, psychologist, and parents independently complete a Matrix for the student allows a side-by-side comparison and discussion. In my experience these discussions have always fostered a sense of camaraderie, empathy, and productive conversational tone between team members. They almost always result in insights from different perspectives that can be woven into intervention planning at school and home. And with the Matrix online all parties can track how the behaviors they record are changing over time if desired.

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That is a great practice, especially for potential contentious meetings. I have been having parents complete a matrix as well as myself and then I work to combine the information in a progress report. This worked very well for my Angelman Syndrome patient for his annual review. The mom had just completed the matrix and she was right on board with the progress and goal suggestions.

I was also asked to provide communication information for a child for his ASD eligibility. He was quite low in his skills despite being in the kindergarten transition process. I completed a Rossetti to allow for some age scoring which may have been necessary for the ASD Specialist report. But I was very happy to be able to provide a matrix summary to give information about what he could do vs. what he wasn't doing. The feedback on the Communication Matrix report was very good from the ASD Specialist.

I am hoping to be able to use the Communication Matrix more fully this next school year. Thank you for this idea to have multiple team members complete one.

Louise Sea - 7/29/2015

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Hi Chris! I agree! Sharing the "grid" colored in with the mastered/emerging areas of growth allow for some great "can do" discussion. The differences, in most cases, can be attributed to the environment, the partners, the activities/expectations--all great issues to address. I find it quite powerful- used over time (repeated administrations) to show growth/change.

Karen Natoci - 7/13/2015

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