Reciprocal communication exchanges - where on the Matrix?

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Reciprocal communication exchanges - where on the Matrix?

Karen Natoci

10/4/2016 5:24 PM

Hello Matrix Community!

I have a child who is communicating at a Matrix level II who is learning to access a sequencer to engage in a reciprocal communication exchange. Although this type of exchange is not indicated as an example on the Communication Matrix Profile, where might this emerging skill go? Does this exchange help him advance to level III? The communication function is more like "maintaining an interaction" and is not explicitly listed within this tool. While I feel that this child is engaging in the exchange in a back and forth manner and is appearing to be much more intentional, I am not so sure that he fully understands what he/she is saying during the exchange but he is enjoying the process and doing this very well- even to the point of moving on to next steps. Also, because the device has pre-programmed messages, might this be considered a level VI? Thank you in advance! Although I've been using this tool for years, I still over-think it, sometimes! Looking forward to your thoughts.

Karen

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What a great question, Karen! The transition from pre-intentional communication (Level 2) to intentional communication (level 3) is so tricky! If the student is simply pushing buttons/switches without comprehension of what the messages mean, but simply as part of a back-and-forth routine, then I would probably consider that a simple gesture (tapping an object) at level 2. Certainly if he used the behavior of activating the device as a means of continuing an interaction with another person, then it could be considered level 3 behavior (intentional communication). if you can determine a specific intent for the behavior. If you think the student is activating the device to ask another person to do something, then it woudl be level 3. But if it's simply somethign he woudl do even if another person is not present, then I woudl go for level 2. I hope this makes sense.

charity.rowland@gmail.com - 10/10/2016

Thank you for this clarification!

Karen Natoci - 10/10/2016

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You would know more about this than almost anyone I know Natoci! But fwiw, if the message is preprogrammed, then its not him formulating the message or the "language" but more of the intent or spirit of the message. Celebrate the journey with the kiddo. Does it have to have a level?

Armen - 10/8/2016

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