Communication and Symbolic Behavior Scales. The CSBS is a standardized, norm-referenced evaluation instrument that examines communicative, social, affective and symbolic abilities of children whose chronological age ranges from nine months through 6 years and functional communication age is between eight months and two years. The test is in English. The instrument is administered by standardized direct assessment of a child s behavior. The caregiver presents so the child can respond naturally, encouraging spontaneous communication and play.
Information is obtained from a caregiver questionnaire.
Assessment is videotaped for analysis and scoring. Data are converted to scores on 20 five-point scales. Technical data are provided. The norming samples were collected in the United States. Approximately one-third of the standardization sample was retested because it was expected that the CSBS would eventually be used more than once in evaluating children over the course of several months.