VIDBE-Q Volume 68 Issue 4
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Communication Matrix Intervention Modules
Once the Matrix is completed the level of expressive language is established,
what's next? The West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE) commissioned
five professionals with backgrounds including speech and language, deafness,
blindness, technical assistance provision for deaf-blind and college professor, to
create modules to guide instruction and progression to advance individuals through
the Matrix levels, incorporating basic instructional strategies with literacy skills
and communication. This diverse group of individuals sought to develop a road
map to guide practitioners to the development of language and literacy for
individuals with complex communication needs.
Foundation for Intervention
Prior to implementing instructional levels, reviewing the Foundation for
Intervention, is a must before beginning services. The Foundation section provides
a way for practitioners to consider the child holistically, outlining what might be
positively or negatively impacting their daily functioning. As practitioners
complete this section, they gain insight into the child's world they may have
missed before. Within this section, a communication funnel is explained as having
five components: availability to learn, trusting relationships, incidental learning,
concept development, and literacy. All these components must be addressed to
