Are you sure you want to delete this post?
Remove
Cancel
Internet Explorer is no longer a supported browser for the Communication Matrix so features may be missing. Please switch to a different browser, such as Firefox or Chrome.
0 likes
1451 views
Talking with Technology Camp - Colorado
Kelly Fonner
7/6/2016 4:01 AM
Talking With Technology (TWT) Camp is a weeklong program developed by Children's Hospital Colorado for young people ages 6 to 21 who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems. Children's Hospital Colorado contracts with the Colorado Easter Seal Society for this week to be held each summer at its camp facility, Rocky Mountain Village, in Empire, Colorado. A priority for acceptance to the TWT Camp is given to children who come with an adult who is working with the child and his/her system (e.g., speech therapist, teacher, aide, etc.), but is not a family member.
A unique aspect of TWT Camp is that the camper - who is the augmentative communication system user - usually attends with a professional trainer who knows the child. Brothers and sisters are also welcome to take part in the program. That's what makes this one week such an intensive learning experience for everyone. Because this camp gives children the opportunity to develop increased independence, parents do not attend. Children's personal care needs are managed by trained camp staff.
Both the child and the adult are involved in a week of training and implementation of the AAC system. Each year the Talking with Technology Camp changes and improves. Its goals are to provide intensive intervention, within the context of a motivating and meaningful environment, for children using augmentative communication devices, and to enhance the development of communication partners and those facilitating AAC use.
This post is part of the collection
0 Replies
© 2025 Charity Rowland, Ph.D.
Site by State33 and Smith & Connors
Add this post to
Write a note about why you chose this post to appear in your collection.
Try the Matrix
Please select a statement below that describes the type of matrix administration that you would like to begin.
Please wait while we process the matrix ...
You are about to TRY the Matrix Assessment tool.
Your information will not be saved unless you register. You may register for free at anytime throughout the tryout by clicking the orange button bottom right.
Your information is private.
The information you enter in the assessment is completely secure and cannot be identified. When you use this free service, we ask you to provide some very basic information about the individual you are assessing (gender, age, ethnic background, country of residence, disability and specific impairments) and your relationship to that person. However, we have no way of indentifying who has used this service.
Teachers:
Many teachers require their college students in communication disorders or child development classes to complete a Communication Matrix online. Please have your students use the Test Drive site for this purpose. You may ask them to print out the Profile and Communication Skills List as proof of their work.
Statement A
My child doesn't seem to have real control over his body yet.
The only way I know that he wants something is because he fusses or whines when he's unhappy or uncomfortable, and he smiles, makes noises or calms down when he's happy and comfortable. Does this statement describe your child?
Statement B
My child has control over her own behaviors, but she doesn't use them to try to communicate to me.
She doesn't come to me to let me know what she wants, but it's easy for me to figure out, because she tries to do things for herself. She knows what she wants, and her behavior shows me what she wants. If she runs out of something to eat, she will just try to get more, rather than trying to get me to give her more.
Does this statement describe your child?
Statement C
My child clearly tries to communicate his needs to me through gestures, sounds or language.
He knows how to get me to do something for him. He uses some of the kinds of behaviors below to communicate:
- Gestures such as pointing, shaking his head, tugging at my arm or looking back and forth between me and what he wants
- Sounds such as squealing to show you he wants something or fussing when he doesn't want something
- Language or symbolic forms of communication such as speech, written words, Braille, picture symbols, 3-dimensional symbols or sign language
Does this statement describe your child?
How to score your child
Each question you will see is related to a certain message that your child might be able to express using a variety of behaviors. Read the question and decide whether your child is able to express the message described using any of the listed behaviors. If the answer is YES, then you must also decide whether your child has mastered the use of each behavior or whether it is still at an emerging stage. Check either the mastered or emerging box next to any behaviors your child uses to express the message. Use the following definitions to decide whether a behavior is mastered or emerging
Mastered
– Does this independently most of the time when the opportunity arises
– Does this in a number of di erent contexts, and with di erent people
Emerging
– Does this inconsistently
–
Only does this when prompted or encouraged to do so. Only does this in one or two contexts or with one person.
Tips on Communication Devices
Each question you will see is related to a certain message that your child might be able to express using a variety of behaviors. Read the question and decide whether your child is able to express the message described using any of the listed behaviors. If the answer is YES, then you must also decide whether your child has mastered the use of each behavior or whether it is still at an emerging stage. Check either the mastered or emerging box next to any behaviors your child uses to express the message. Use the following definitions to decide whether a behavior is mastered or emerging