Communication Severity Scales (CSS)

CSS TRAINING ANNOUNCEMENT

The on-demand CSS training course is now available.
Effective January 2024, this is the only format the CCS training will be provided.

The Communication Severity Scales (CSS) were first developed for use in the North Inland Special Education Region (NISER) in 2006 to address local concerns. Ever-growing caseloads, lack of individualized determination of speech and language services in some cases, concerns with missing core academic instruction, and some students rarely being dismissed from therapy led to the development of the CSS Guidelines. Now in its fourth revision, the 2019 CSS includes resources for identifying English Learners who may have a speech and/or language disability, expanded analysis of pragmatics, and the Complex Communication Needs Matrix for students who use augmentative or alternative communication systems. In addition, once trained, you will be given access to the forms, worksheets, and extensive Resources.

At the conclusion of the online CSS training, participants will be skilled in applying the CSS to analyze students on their caseloads and make recommendations for speech and language services to IEP teams. The training is comprised of eight modules:

1. Training Outline
2. Overview of the CSS Process and Legal Requirements
3. Referral Strategies
4. Using the CSS
5. Complex Communication
6. Service Guidelines based on the CSS Ratings
7. Positive Practice
8. Independent Practice