Lately, there has been increased discussion of coaching communication partners, and collecting data to track the effectiveness and frequency of modeling. For example, PrAACtical AAC posted a sample data collection form this week. As an AAC Specialist working in a school district, I’d like to share how I use Percentally Pro 2 – my iOS app for data collection – to track the progress of communication partners (e.g., staff, parents, peers) modeling with aided language stimulation. When coaching communication partners such as special education staff, I assess modeling across a variety of communicative functions: ask a question, comment, protest, request, and share information.

In Percentally Pro 2, I start by enabling zeroes for measurements (More > Options > Include Zeroes ON (as indicated by the orange switch)) if they’re not already enabled. Next, I assign goals (previously added) for the aforementioned communicative functions and the total number of models to the communication partner. Then, I collect data on the goals during 15 minute periods throughout the duration of my coaching.

Below is a Percentally Pro 2 session for a sample communication partner, Jane Doe. The screenshot shows some of the goals tallied during a sample active session for Jane modeling after prompting from me (as indicated by the P in the small dark green rectangle), and modeling independently (as indicated with the checkmark in the big light green rectangle).

To correspond with the quantitative data, I take notes on the qualitative data in Percentally Pro 2. More specifically, I write notes for phrases modeled by the communication partner across the communicative functions. Occasionally, I will also include photos in the note for something modeled.

After the session, I view the session summary in Percentally Pro 2, so I can see a nice visual of the modeling frequencies via the ring views. In addition to seeing the totals, I like to compare the portion modeled independently vs. prompted for each goal. In the screenshot below, I see Jane’s sample data collected, including the following for ‘Total models’ – Independent : 8, Prompted : 5, Total : 13.

After 2-3 coaching sessions, I view and report the line chart for each goal. I am particularly interested in the line chart for ‘Total models’, which allows me to compare the communication partner’s frequency of total modeling to a target. When considering a recommended frequency of modeling 20x/hour, I compare the communication partner’s total models (independent in blue, prompted in pink, total in purple) to a target (I set) of 5 for a 15 minute period (calculated by 20 / 4 = 5). With the line chart, I can easily assess the communication partner’s modeling success over time, and show him/her as well as any other interested parties. Put another way, the line chart clearly shows whether the communication partner has made progress in his/her frequency of modeling, and whether he/she is modeling frequently enough.

Below, I see that Jane demonstrated 0 Total models (which is not uncommon, unfortunately) during a baseline measurement on 2-14; then, she demonstrated the following on 2-21 for Total models – Independent : 8, Prompted : 5, Total : 13, which correspond with the ring views above. All of the data points on 2-21 are at or above the target line of 5, indicating that she made progress (as compared with her baseline), and she’s modeling a sufficient amount.

I hope you find this information helpful for using Percentally Pro 2 to collect data on a communication partner’s modeling. Although I’m obviously biased, I truly believe the app provides what is necessary for adequately assessing the communication partner’s progress over time.