Communicative Temptations – Children  

What does it assess?

• Early intentional communication skills. 

Who is it suitable for?

• Originally designed for young children with ASD; but used in research and assessments for other children with developmental delays.
• Most appropriate for children who are transitioning from pre-intentional to intentional communication. 

Who is it not suitable for?

• Children with established symbolic ability.
• Children with physical and/or sensory impairments that would prevent them from interacting with the items or demonstrate alternating eye-gaze. 

How is it administered?

• Each communicative temptation is presented to the child, preferably as a table-top activity.
• The child’s response is recorded and then coded. Video-recording is recommended to assist with accurate coding. 

How is it scored/ interpreted?

• Child responses are coded according to whether they meet criteria for an intentional communicative act, their modalities and functions.
• The codes are then used to develop a profile indicating the child’s forms and functions. 

What is its availability?

• The score sheet can be copied from the kit as it is an informal measure.
• Costs are for the collection of materials, that can be purchased from toy and general stores. 

How does it contribute to a communication assessment for someone with behaviours of concern?

• The assessment will provide an indication of whether or not the child uses behaviours as intentional communication, and their profile of forms (modalities of behaviours and whether they are symbolic) and functions.
• The information contributes to a functional assessment of the child’s challenging behaviours.
• It provides an indication of whether new forms can be taught for functions served by problem behaviours and the representational level and modality that are most suitable for the child’s profile.
• Should be done in conjunction with a functional behaviour assessment. 

References

Wetherby, A., & Prutting, C. (1984). Profiles of communicative and cognitive-social abilities in autistic children. Journal of Speech & Hearing Research, 27,364-377.

Wetherby, A., & Prizant, B. (1989). Expression of communicative intent. Seminars in Speech & Language, 10, 77-90.