The Communication Intention Inventory (CII) is a tool that helps professionals watch and record how young children communicate on purpose. It was made in 1981 by professors Truman Coggins and Robert Carpenter to help evaluate kids between 8 and 24 months old.
How does the Communication Intention Inventory benefit kids?
It helps professionals pinpoint a child’s communication strengths and areas that need support, paving the way for personalized guidance.
Is the Inventory only for kids with communication challenges?
While it’s especially useful for kids with communication challenges, it can provide insights for any child’s communicative development.
How often should the Communication Intention Inventory be done?
It’s best to consult with professionals, but periodic assessments can track progress and adapt strategies as a child grows.
The Communicative Intention Inventory (CII) is an assessment tool designed to systematically observe and document a child’s early intentional communication behaviors. Developed by Truman Coggins and Robert Carpenter in 1981, the CII provides a structured framework for evaluating the communicative abilities of children aged 8 to 24 months. By assessing a child’s use of gestures, vocalizations, and other nonverbal cues, the CII helps professionals identify areas of strength and potential delays in early communication development.
The Communication Intention Inventory (CII) is a valuable tool for assessing early communication skills in young children. Here’s how it works:
| Age Range | Key Communicative Behaviors |
|---|---|
| 8-12 months | Gestures, vocalizations, eye contact |
| 12-18 months | Pointing, showing, giving, simple words |
| 18-24 months | Combining gestures and words, two-word phrases |
The CII provides a comprehensive picture of a child’s early communication skills, helping professionals and parents understand their unique needs and develop targeted interventions to support their language development.
This post was originally published on August 11, 2023. It was updated on May 9, 2024.
