Interrater Reliability of the Communication and Symbolic Behavior Scales When Used with Young Children with Developmental Disabilities

The Communication and Symbolic Behavior Scales (CSBS) were developed to standardize communication sampling procedures in assessing preverbal and early verbal stage children. To assess interrater reliability in using the scales with children with developmental disabilities, eight children (ages 33-113 months) with developmental disabilities were videotaped, and the children's communicative and symbolic behaviors were rated by an experienced speech/language clinician and two graduate students in communication disorders using the CSBS. Results support the idea that similar reliability to that reported in the manual can be achieved when the CSBS is used to assess children with developmental disabilities. Lower areas of interrater agreement were noted for the scales measuring"Respondent Acts,""Shared Positive Affect," and "Complexity of Action Schemes." Findings highlight the need for further clarification in some areas of the CSBS manual and the need for adequate training of raters. (JDD)