Presentation Created By: Suzie Tweedle Cyd Farrell Barbara Smith Gloria Burks Every Move Counts Sensory-Based Communication Techniques

For individuals with severe disabilities it is often difficult or impossible to communicate with the world around them in a productive manner. They have very inefficient or limited ways to indicate their needs, wants, or choices in a meaningful way. This inability to communicate may leave individuals isolated, frustrated, helpless, and/or victims to the will of others. In short, individuals with severe multiple impairments lack the ability to control their environment. In addition to this, family members often feel frustrated because they desire to build a relationship based upon reciprocal communication. Over time they begin to anticipate the needs of an individual and attempt to meet these needs rather than allowing the child to communicate their needs. Although these individuals intentions are well meaning they actually are inhibiting the need for a child with severe multiple impairments to communicate. Every Move Counts is an assessment and curriculum design to elicit responses from a targeted population and shape these individual's communicative responses into a more formal language based on positive sensory input and responses.

Every Move Counts: Purpose: Encourages communication in individuals who are functioning at a level that inhibits the acquisition of language skills. Uses a positive approach based on what an individual can do Provides insight into the types of stimulation most likely to elicit a response from an individual Refines an individual’s responses into a more formal communication system. Develops the skills necessary for an individual to have control over his environment

Program designed for… Individuals with Autism Individuals with developmental delays Individuals with severe multiple disabilities Age range: infancy through adulthood

Principals program is based on… Positive relationship exists between vestibular functioning and language development Distinction between communication and language. Communication process through which we exchange information (What the message is) Language the structure through which we communicate (The method individuals relay the message) Children with severe multiple impairments have prerequisite skills required for communication Co-occurrence is crucial in the development of cognitive and communication skills.

v Every Move Counts … The Intervention Hierarchy Through and systematic attention to each level provides the foundation from which the next process flows. Identification Process Response mode pleasurable activities Definition Process Response contingency Elicitation and Refinement Processes Quantity quality Generalization and Expansion Processes Focusing on responses during each level and providing numerous opportunities to communicate in a range of setting contributes to framework for the generalization process.

Every Move Counts … The program gives an hierarchy of communicative options that allow individuals with severe impairments to progress along normal developmental paths. The chart below gives examples of alternatives you might implement to refine the individuals’ mode of communication. However, the program encourages communication be refined based on individual’s needs and abilities.

Assessment: There are two components of the assessment part of Every Move Counts. 1.Sensory response assessment Used to place individual on the matrix Identifies the response as reactive or proactive Documents response patterns Identifies responses to attach communicative intent Assesses a range of sensory responses 2.Communication assessment Addresses communication not language Interviews parents, caregivers or both Can be completed through structured observation Sensitive to small changes in behavior Can be used for pre and post testing Targets specific communicative skills Weighs questions resulting in the more frequent and understandable communication event is rated higher Reflects an individual’s current skill level

Example of Communication Assessment:

Example of Sensory Response Assessment:

Advantages to using the Every Move Counts Assessment: Test materials are easily assembled Administration is not complicated Results indicate pleasurable activities Documents how individual communicates enjoyable activities Appropriate for individuals whose communication skills are below 18 months Results can be incorporated to develop individualized intervention strategies Based on client responses and interpretation of these responses Results place individual on a communicative and physical skills matrix rather than developmental level Does not require formal developmental responses Information gained is basis for developing goals and objectives

Assessment is directly linked to intervention strategies … Once the assessment is completed this information is complied to complete the client profile. This profile is designed to give specific targeted information which is used to place an individual at the appropriate level in the matrix and assist in designing interventions for the individual. Three delivery models are appropriate for implementing the intervention strategies based on individual needs. These include: 1.Individual concentrated trials 2.Group concentrated trials 3.Incidental teaching A stimulation protocol and activity selection guide is included in the program. The protocol gives suggested physical activities, time intervals for presentation of stimuli, along with possible symbolic representations that could be used to build language at the object, picture, symbol, gesture, and sign levels. The program emphasizes to take into consideration the age of the individual when deciding the materials to be used when implementing a physical activity. Creativity and flexibility are encouraged.

Sample of activity selection guide Every Move Counts uses a systematic approach to move through each of the four levels of response. Each level contains the following Information Purpose Entry level criteria Behavior characteristics Goals and objectives Procedures Data collection Response levels and reinforcement Also included is a moving to the next level section

Sample of Stimulation Protocol

Data collection Data collection is a key component in implementing the intervention portion of Every Move Counts. Purposes for collecting data Documenting skill acquisition Determining when to change instructional levels Selecting the optimal response mode Types of data collection forms included in program Environmental observation Response significance form Activity log Response inventory Individual trials record Daily routine record Symbol choice-location log Symbol choice-preference log Daily use log

A parent guide is another component of the Every Move Counts program. This guide gives brief explanations about ways to communicate and strategies to encourage communication.

For Teachers of the Visually Impaired… Article on using Every Move Counts as a Learning Media Assessment.

49X&Mode=summary Every Move Counts can be ordered from Pearson Assessments.

Information on a new manual which updates and expands the Every Move Counts Manual to include Clicks (switches-use strategies) and Chats (assistive technology)