CHARACTERISTICS OF COMMUNICATION SKILLS IN A CHILD WITH AUTISM  SPECTRUM DISORDER BASED ON THE COMMUNICATION MATRIX: A CASE STUDY

Nguyen Thi Bich Trang; Luong Ngoc Ha; Nguyen Thi Hang; Mai Thi Phuong; Tran Thu Giang

Luong Ngoc Ha	haln@vnies.edu.vn	Vietnam Education Strategy and Policy Institute 101 Tran Hung Dao, Cua Nam ward, Hanoi, Vietnam
Mai Thi Phuong*	phuong.mt@vnies.edu.vn	Vietnam Education Strategy and Policy Institute 101 Tran Hung Dao, Cua Nam ward, Hanoi, Vietnam
Nguyen Thi Hang	hangnt@vnies.edu.vn	Vietnam Education Strategy and Policy Institute 101 Tran Hung Dao, Cua Nam ward, Hanoi, Vietnam
Tran Thu Giang	giangtt@vnies.edu.vn	Vietnam Education Strategy and Policy Institute 101 Tran Hung Dao, Cua Nam ward, Hanoi, Vietnam
Nguyen Thi Bich Trang	trangchuyenbiet@gmal.com	Vietnam Education Strategy and Policy Institute 101 Tran Hung Dao, Cua Nam ward, Hanoi, Vietnam

Summary:

Autism spectrum disorder is an increasingly prevalent developmental disability worldwide and in Vietnam. Communication impairment is one of the core characteristics of autism spectrum disorder and has a profound impact on children’s social interaction, learning, and participation in everyday activities. This study employed a case study design, combining direct observation, caregiver interviews, and assessment using the Communication Matrix to describe the communication skills of a five-year-old child with autism spectrum disorder, including the child’s level of communication development, communicative functions, and communication forms. The findings indicate that the child primarily communicates at the pre-symbolic level and has developed intentional communication behaviors for rejecting, requesting, and gaining attention. However, the child demonstrates limited use of symbols and spoken language for social communication and information exchange. Based on the assessment results, the study proposes a personalized procedure for implementing the AAC PVSM model. This approach illustrates an evidence-based process of assessment, intervention planning, and intervention implementation to support communication development in children with autism spectrum disorder.

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Keywords:

Communication skills

autism spectrum disorder

Communication Matrix

AAC-PVSM Model.

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Journal:

No. 10, October 2026

VIETNAM JOURNAL OF EDUCATIONAL SCIENCES

THE VIETNAM NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF EDUCATIONAL SCIENCES

CHARACTERISTICS OF COMMUNICATION SKILLS IN A CHILD WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER BASED ON THE COMMUNICATION MATRIX: A CASE STUDY