Communication Ability Levels

Ciara using her device during a video call” by Colette O’Laughlin is licensed under CC by 3.0

Continuum of Communication Independence

Patricia Dowden, PhD, SLP (1999, 2004) developed the Continuum of Communication Independence. It is a model to describe a person’s expressive communication. This framework is based on observable communication behaviors. Using ability levels can help teams have a common frame of reference. This model can help us identify goals and needed supports for a the person.

In this model, communication ability levels are on a continuum from “emergent” to “independent”, with “context-dependent” in the middle.

Communicators on the “emergent” end of the continuum do not have a reliable way of communicating to others using symbolic language.

Communicators on the “independent” end of the continuum are able to communicate anything to anyone in any context. They are able to read and spell.

We all start at birth as emergent communicators. Children with complex communication needs may stay at this level longer. Our focus is helping them develop as much communication autonomy as possible.

Some adults who were independent communicators lose some or all of their communication abilities. This can be from a traumatic brain injury, stroke, or progressive disease (such as ALS or dementia). Our focus is helping these people get back or keep their communication independence or autonomy as much as possible, for as long as possible.

Emergent Communicator

An emergent communicator is a person of any age who does not have a reliable means of expressive communication using symbolic communication. This is a person who:

• uses non-symbolic methods of communication such as: facial expressions, body language, gestures, vocalizations, and other behaviors which are usually unique to them and not immediately understandable by unfamiliar communication partners
• is limited to topics in the “here and now”
• might be trialing AAC, but their interaction with it is inconsistent; communication partners might be modeling AAC without expectation

Emergent communicators are communicating. We need to be good detectives and smart partners. Being an emerging communicator is not related to the person’s cognitive ability, receptive language, or their potential. It just means that they do not yet have the tools to communicate beyond the “here and now”.

A good goal for emerging communicators is to buildup their non-symbolic communication, grow their multimodal communication, and to figure out a first method of symbolic communication.

Context-Dependent Communicator

A context-dependent communicator is a person of any age who has reliable symbolic communication, but is limited to specific contexts or communication partners. This is a person who:

• has limited vocabulary
• is limited to familiar communication partners and/or
• is limited to certain contexts (e.g., environments, activities, topics)

Being a context-dependent communicator is not related to the person’s cognitive ability, receptive language, or their potential.

A good goal for context-dependent communicators is to expand their vocabulary, their pool of communication partners, and the contexts in which they can communicate.

Independent Communicator

An independent communicator is a person who can communicate when, where, why, and to whom they want about anything they want. This is a person who can:

• create novel messages
• spell new words “well enough”
• use a variety of communication modes
• use strategies to facilitate effective and efficient communication

A good goal for independent communicators is whatever their goals are for improved communication.

Are they using Symbolic Communication?

Communication can be described as non-symbolic or symbolic, as shown on the continuum in the infographic above.

A communicator who is non-symbolic:

• does not use symbols (words, signs, pictures, symbols, etc.)
• uses gestures, vocalizations, intonation, facial expressions, body movements, proximity, eye gaze, “behavior”, and the like

A communicator who is symbolic:

• uses symbols (signs, spoken/written words, pictures/symbols, objects, etc.)
• involves a shared meaning between the communication partners (sender and receiver)
• communication is intentional

This is a continuum. Skills can range from unconventional to conventional.

Are they using Conventional Means?

Communication can be described by how the person communicates. As the infographic above shows, they way in which a person communicates can be on a continuum from unconventional to conventional methods.

A communicator who is unconventional uses methods that are:

• not commonly used by the larger community
• less obvious in meaning
  • the meaning is often unique to them
• less “socially acceptable”
• most likely non-symbolic

A communicator who is conventional uses method that are:

• commonly used by others in their community
• obvious and have a clear meaning
• “socially acceptable”
• usually symbolic
  • can also be non-symbolic, like when using common gestures and facial expressions

References

• Dowden, P.A. (1999). Different Strokes for Different Folks. Augmentative Communication News, vol 12, pg 7-9. https://www.augcominc.com/newsletters/newsletter_22.pdf
• P. Dowden Resources in AAC: https://faculty.washington.edu/dowden/aac_ed_resources_intro.html
• DAGG-3 (which is based in part on the work of Dr. Dowden): https://us.tobiidynavox.com/products/dagg-3