What does Partial Verbal (PV) indicate in a behavioral context?

Partial Verbal (PV) in a behavioral context indicates that an individual provides a portion of the verbal response that is expected. This means that the person is able to communicate some, but not all, of what is required in a verbal exchange, suggesting an incomplete response rather than a total lack of verbal engagement.

For example, if a question typically requires a full sentence as an answer, a partial verbal response might consist of just a key word or two from that sentence. Recognizing PV is important for understanding an individual's communication capabilities and can guide interventions aimed at increasing their verbal skills.

In contrast, complete verbal responses would indicate that the individual is able to articulate their thoughts fully, while non-verbal communication suggests reliance on gestures or other means rather than spoken language. Excluding verbal communication entirely would imply zero use of speech, which is not captured by the concept of Partial Verbal. Thus, the understanding of PV emphasizes the partial participation in verbalization as a distinct level of communication competence.