Skill Base

Facilitating Communication Development
(SB:Comm)

Topics covered in this course include: developmental milestones of communication, assessment in the communication domain, indicators of common disabilities related to communication development, service planning to address needs in communication development, and evidence-based intervention strategies.

Course Objectives

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Describe terms, components, and the sequence of communication development in young children.
• Identify indicators and characteristics of common disability conditions related to communication development.
• Discuss tools and practices appropriate for evaluation and assessment of communication development.
• Develop functional, relationship-based outcomes based on the needs identified through an assessment of communication development.
• Describe appropriate, evidence-based intervention practices that may be used to address developmental needs in the communication domain.

Course Content Week-by-Week

Week 1-2: Development of Communication Skills

• Define common terms in the area of communication development;
• Define the essential components of a child’s communication system; and
• Describe typical communication development in infants and toddlers.

Week 3-4: Red Flags, Common Disabilities and Referrals

• Recognize behaviors and characteristics that indicate a need for assessment.
• Describe the characteristics of the most frequently occurring communication disorders.
• Describe the impact of specific developmental disabilities on communication.

Week 5-6: Essentials of Assessment of Communication Development

• Identify multiple tools and practices to assess development and progress in the area of communication.
• Restate findings of a communication evaluation or assessment report to a child’s family.
• Describe how communication assessment can be conducted using typical family routines and activities.

Week 7-8: Outcomes, Services and Coordination

• Identify a family’s concerns, priorities, and resources for their child’s communication development.
• Identify possible functional, family-focused outcomes for a child with a communication disorder.
• Explore service and support options based on the needs of the child and family.

Week 9-10: Strategies to Work with Children and Their Families

• Describe relationship-based intervention strategies to support families in supporting the communication development of their young children.
• Identify resources and strategies for promoting the communication development of young children.
• Identify intervention strategies for integration into natural environments to address the communication disorders of young children.