[{"collectionID":3,"name":"On being a better Communication Partner through Symbol input.  In other words, it’s about receptive language! ","description":"I would like to talk about what the Communication Matrix is not. The Communication Matrix is a tool that helps us understand someone’s ability to communicate or express themselves. How can we make language and communication more understandable to those who are functioning somewhere on the Matrix?  I am selecting some topics that have inspired me to gain insight to this.  ","dateCreated":"2016-03-14T13:57:53.677","bio":"I am a passionate Speech and Language Pathologist working with children in the clinical setting who have Complex Communication Needs. I earned both my undergrad (Psychology, Speech and Hearing Sciences) and graduate degrees (Speech/Language Pathology) from the University of Michigan in 1981 and 1982.  I enjoy working to unify everyone to help a person who is communicating at the pre-symbolic level develop into an increasingly self-directed (and a symbolic) communicator.  It is very exciting to recognize early forms of communication and then, with consistent support, progress toward using symbols whether is through choice-making,  partner assisted scanning, self-directed eye gaze, or through high tech device. With emergent communicators, I often work to potentiate multiple paths and means of communicating because it may not be clear at first which way to go.  Being a part of these moments of discovery with a communication learner is very exciting! Basically,here’s my motto: “Adjust communication by degree & kind to accommodate vision, hearing, and sensations… watch language grow!”","published":true,"userID":2020}]