Measuring Change in the Communication Skills of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder Using the Communication Complexity Scale

• Published in: American journal on intellectual and developmental disabilities Vol. 125; no. 6; pp. 481 - 492
• Main Authors: Brady, Nancy C, Romine, Rebecca E. Swinburne, Holbrook, Alison, Fleming, Kandace K, Kasari, Connie
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities 01.11.2020; American Association of Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities
• Subjects: Attention; Autism; Autism Spectrum Disorders; Autistic children; Behavior; Behavior change; Behavior Modification; Behavior Problems; Caregivers; Children; Communication; Communication Disorders; Communication Skills; Complexity; Early childhood education; Expressive Language; Intervention; Joint attention; Language; Language Skills; Linguistics; Measurement; Pervasive Developmental Disorders; Preschool education; Program Effectiveness; Skills; Standard scores; Standardized Tests; Students with Disabilities; Validity; Verbal Ability; Verbal Communication; Young Children
• ISSN: 1944-7515; 1944-7558
• DOI: 10.1352/1944-7558-125.6.481

Changes in minimal verbal communication by children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) were measured with the Communication Complexity Scale (CCS) and other communication assessments. The CCS measures complexity of preverbal and beginning verbal communication used to communicate behavior regulation and joint attention. The purpose was to investigate if the CCS was responsive to changes associated with a behavioral intervention aimed at improving communication skills. Changes were detected with CCS scores, rates of initiating joint attention, and the Mullen Scales of Early Learning (MSEL) Expressive Language subscale. Significant changes in CCS scores were also detected for a subgroup of participants who did not show significant changes on the MSEL Expressive Language subscale, demonstrating that CCS scores are sensitive to changes associated with a behavioral intervention.