Investigation Into the Feasibility of the Communication Matrix Professional Development Program

Photo by Gustavo Fring from Pexels
Photo by Gustavo Fring from Pexels

What is the name of the article?

An Initial Investigation Into the Feasibility of the Communication Matrix Professional Development Program for Educational Professionals Working With Students With Complex Communication Needs

What was the goal of this study?

To look at whether the Communication Matrix Professional Development Program (CMPDP) can help educational professionals better teach students with complex communication needs (CCN).

What did we find?

Students’ communication skills improved after their educational professionals completed the program. Professionals were satisfied with the program but faced a lack of time to complete all the training activities.

What did we learn?

The CMPDP is a useful program to train teachers and speech language professionals on how to best support students who need communication support. The program focuses on measuring communication skills, which helps professionals develop an education plan most valuable for the student.

Why is this important?

This program offers an online opportunity for professionals to receive training to provide quality education to their students with CCN. Using online training to educate is especially important during the time of COVID-19.

Who are the authors of the study?

Emily D. Quinn,1 Alexandria Cook,1 Jack Wiedrick,2 and Charity Rowland1

Authors are from: 1. Institute on Development and Disability, OHSU; 2. OHSU-PSU School of Public Health, OHSU

Quinn, E. D. , Cook, A., Wiedrick, J., & Rowland, C. (2021). An initial investigation into the feasibility of the communication matrix professional development program for educational professionals working with students with complex communication needs. Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools, 52(4), 1080-1094. http://www.doi.org/10.1044/2021_LSHSS-20-00154

Key Words:

Communication Matrix Professional Development Program (CMPDP): an online program to train educational professionals working with students who need communication support. It includes webinars, coursework, and other teaching methods.

Complex communication needs (CCN): People with CCN cannot use speech alone to meet their daily communication needs.