The Modified- Classroom ObservationScheduletoMeasureIntenticnaCommunication( M-COSMIC): EvaluationofReliabilityandValidity

Modified COSMIC 17

Table 4 presents correlation coefficients between the rates of broad M-COSMIC coding
categories for form, function, and role and the children’s scores on the ADOS-G. Bonferroni
correction applied for multiple comparisons resulted in adoption of a significance level of p ≤ .
002. Higher rates of M-COSMIC verbal forms were associated with less severe ADOS-G Social
Interaction algorithm scores. Rates of M-COSMIC non-verbal communication forms were
similarly associated with better ADOS-G Communication and Social Interaction scores. Rates of
M-COSMIC act for Behaviour Regulation function were also associated with better ADOS-G
Communication and Social Interaction scores. There was no such association, however, for rates
of M-COSMIC acts for either Social Interaction function or Joint Attention function. Similarly,
while higher rates of M-COSMIC Initiations were associated with better ADOS-G
Communication and Social Interaction scores, no such association was apparent for rates of M-
COSMIC Responses. Specificity of the M-COSMIC codes was evidenced in the lack of any
association among the aforementioned M-COSMIC codes for form, function, or role, with the
ADOS-G Stereotyped Behaviours/Restricted Interests algorithm scores.

- Insert Table 4 -

Examination of associations between M-COSMIC code and the respective ADOS-G item
(or item combinations) yielded less consistent results than for the algorithm totals. Due to the a
priori specification of these comparisons, no correction was made for multiple comparisons, with
p < .05 adopted as the criterion. M-COSMIC rates of Initiated Vocalisation/Single words were
associated with ADOS-G item Overall Level of Non-Echoed Language, r = .35, p = .027. By
contrast, M-COSMIC rates of Initiated Phrase Speech showed no such association with this
ADOS-G item, r = .28, p = .08. M-COSMIC rates of Gesture/Point and the combined ADOS-G
items of Pointing and Gestures were also correlated, r = .42, p = .006. It was not possible to

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