Alert
Alert
Alert

Supporting Communication Beyond Level 1 : Noticing Subtle Communication

Author-Avatar Emily Dayle Quinn

3/19/2016 2:34 PM

One of the most important strategies when working with individuals communicating using Pre-Intentional Behavior is Communication Partner Training.


Noticing and responding to all communication behavior is one of the most important strategies during this stage of communication development.

  • As a parent, or caregiver---understanding your partner’s communication signals is your priority.
  • As an educator or therapist—providing instruction to parents, caregivers, and the educational, or community support team is your priority.

1. Learn to recognize the behavior states and behavior patterns.


• Alertness/ Sleepiness
• Discomfort/ Comfort
• Active/ Inactive
• Agitation/ Frustration/ Content
• Hunger/ Thirst / Satiated

Some children with significant disabilities may show unusual behavior patterns. Keeping a schedule of times or day when your child or the individual you are working with is typically comfortable, alert, and attentive, is a helpful. The best learning happens when an individual is content, comfortable, and active. Make the most of your teaching opportunities by focusing interactions during these times of the day.

Some children with significant disabilities have subtle ways of communicating. Use the Skills List from the Communication Matrix Assessment to educate other communication partners as to how your child, or the individual you work with expresses discomfort, comfort, and interest in other people.

The first step to intervention is accurately reading Pre- Intentional Behavior Signals. We must first recognize these actions THEN, we can respond appropriately and reinforce beginning communication attempts.

This post is part of the collection

The Communication Matrix is a service of Design to Learn at Oregon Health & Science University
© 2024 Charity Rowland, Ph.D.

Site by State33 and Smith & Connors