CP refers to the individual’s Communication Partner.
Stimuli refers to the following:
- real objects
- auditory information (environmental sounds, music, sounds associated with objects)
- olfactory information (smell)
- movement
- touch
Receptive Communication
This refers to an individual’s understanding of messages or information. The modalities which the individual may understand include one or more of the following; touch, real objects, gesture, key signs, photographs, picture symbols, spoken language etc.
Expressive Communication
This refers to what an individual does to communicate their message or intent. Their messages can be conveyed using various methods or modes, e.g. facial expression, body language/movement, eye gaze, speech, sign, etc.
Non-symbolic communication or natural communication refers to the following communication modes; eye gaze, facial expression, body language, gesture and vocalisations
Symbolic communication
A symbol is something that is used to represent or stand for an object and/or concept. For example symbols that may be used to represent the “swing” include the spoken word, the sign for swing, a photograph of the actual swing, a picture communication symbol (PCS) or an object symbol, e.g. a piece of chain.
Intentionality
Intentionality refers to the individual’s awareness of how their communication attempts impact on others.
Pre-intentional behaviour is reflexive behaviour that expresses the internal state of the individual (e.g. tired, hungry) and is interpreted by an observer. The individual is not aware of how their behaviour is impacting on others.
Intentional behaviour occurs when the individual intentionally performs an action, e.g. an individual reaches out to an object to request it but is not intentionally communicative, i.e. does not direct the message to a person.
Intentional communication occurs when a message is directed towards a person, e.g. an individual looks at an object and then looks at a person to request it. They may also persist with their message and show awareness that their message has been conveyed.