The Early Functional Communication Profile (EFCP) measures subtle, functional changes in nonverbal communication skills in children with severe disabilities along with larger gains in children with moderate disabilities. Use it to gather information that will help determine a starting point in therapy and show progress over time. The Early Functional Communication Profile is appropriate to use with children who have:
Suspected or diagnosed Autism Spectrum Disorder
Severe to profound cognitive impairments
Coexisting disorders
Augmentative and alternative communication
Ages: 2 through 10 years Testing Time: 30 to 45 minutes
The Early Functional Communication Profile is a criterion-referenced tool. As such, it does not supply age or number scores. The test's precise descriptive measures tell you what the child CAN do and how they respond to different types of prompts. The assessment is dynamic- a hierarchy of prompts provides information about what skills the child performs with some degree of adult assistance. Skills and the level of progress are delineated by:
Developmental level- skills are arranged from easiest to hardest
Level of environmental prompt- can be where the tester or test items are positioned (e.g., in front, to the side, or in back of the child); a gestural prompt (e.g., handing an object to the child, pointing); or verbal cues (e.g., saying "your turn," asking a question)
Level of adult-action prompt- subtle physical and visual prompts such as hand-over-hand, patting the chest or arm, waiting with hand reaching out, waiting expectantly, etc.
Subtests:
Joint Attention- Requesting Objects
Social Interaction- Turn-taking
Communicative Intent- Requesting Continuation of Actions