Abstract
We discuss the utility of a coding system designed to evaluate the amount and type of parent talk during individualized family service plan (IFSP) meetings. The iterative processes used to develop the Parent Communication Coding System (PCCS) and its associated codes are described. In addition, we explored whether PCCS codes could be applied reliably to evaluate the type and amount of active versus passive talk by parents during IFSP meetings. We examined whether differences in the type and amount of parent talk during IFSP meetings would be evident based on child characteristics (i.e., eligibility category, age) as well as IFSP meeting characteristics (i.e., routines-based interview [RBI] conducted, type of IFSP meeting). Data from this study suggest that adequate levels of interobserver agreement were obtained and communication could be categorized as active, passive, and other. In addition, exploratory statistical analyses suggest that the PCCS might be useful for characterizing differences in the type and amount of parent talk during IFSP meetings based on meeting characteristics (e.g., initial or review meeting; RBI used). The PCCS holds promise as a system for addressing one dimension of IFSP meeting quality.