scholarly journals An AAC tablet application for children with language impairment

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Noura Al Ghurair ◽  
◽  
Ghada Alnaqi ◽  
Iyad Abu Doush ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Language Impairment ◽  
Augmentative And Alternative Communication ◽  
Communication Channel ◽  
Alternative Communication ◽  
Rehabilitation Centers ◽  
Communication Time ◽  
Computer Based ◽  
Speech And Language Pathologists ◽  
Accessibility Guidelines ◽  
Touch Screen Devices

People with communication impairment need an alternative communication channel to complete daily activities. Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems can help provide a communication medium to support such users. The involvement of speech and language pathologists (SLPs) who work in rehabilitation centers can help develop better solutions. This paper presents the development of an AAC tablet application that uses pictures on the screen and voice feedback to help children with language impairment improve the efficiency in their communication. The proposed solution maps the sentences commonly used by children into appealing symbols. The children can use these symbols instead of constructing sentences from scratch, as done by most of the previously proposed solutions in the literature. The application was evaluated by SLPs on six children with language impairment. This research presents a design methodology when providing such a solution for touch screen devices for people with language impairment. A set of accessibility guidelines is proposed for AAC computer-based solutions, which can help researchers and practitioners. The obtained results prove that the proposed system improves the children’s stimulation to communicate and decreases communication time. Such a solution can assist therapists as a resource to improve their patients’ communication.

Framework for Selecting Vocabulary for Preliterate Children Who Use Augmentative and Alternative Communication

2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 1000-1009
Author(s):  
Allison Bean ◽  
Lindsey Paden Cargill ◽  
Samantha Lyle
Keyword(s):  
Language Impairment ◽  
Augmentative And Alternative Communication ◽  
Developmentally Appropriate ◽  
School Age Children ◽  
Alternative Communication ◽  
School Based ◽  
Selection For ◽  
Nonverbal Children ◽  
Grammatical Structures ◽  
Insufficient Knowledge

Purpose Nearly 50% of school-based speech-language pathologists (SLPs) provide services to school-age children who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). However, many SLPs report having insufficient knowledge in the area of AAC implementation. The objective of this tutorial is to provide clinicians with a framework for supporting 1 area of AAC implementation: vocabulary selection for preliterate children who use AAC. Method This tutorial focuses on 4 variables that clinicians should consider when selecting vocabulary: (a) contexts/environments where the vocabulary can be used, (b) time span during which the vocabulary will be relevant, (c) whether the vocabulary can elicit and maintain interactions with other people, and (d) whether the vocabulary will facilitate developmentally appropriate grammatical structures. This tutorial focuses on the role that these variables play in language development in verbal children with typical development, verbal children with language impairment, and nonverbal children who use AAC. Results Use of the 4 variables highlighted above may help practicing SLPs select vocabulary that will best facilitate language acquisition in preliterate children who use AAC.

Thoughts on Grammar Intervention in AAC

2008 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 43-49 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marc Fey
Keyword(s):  
Language Impairment ◽  
Specific Language Impairment ◽  
Augmentative And Alternative Communication ◽  
Communication Systems ◽  
Target Language ◽  
Alternative Communication ◽  
Physical Limitations ◽  
Communication Needs ◽  
Communication Interventions ◽  
Planning Intervention

Abstract In this article, I propose that, for several reasons, grammar should be an early focus of communication interventions for young children using augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems. The basic goals for such programs should be to facilitate the child's comprehension of the language of the community, or the target language, thus leading the way to literacy, and to foster the child's use of symbol combinations that mirror the grammatical patterns of speaking children acquiring the target language, even if they cannot be fully grammatically complete. I introduce five principles that underlie most successful approaches to grammar interventions with children with specific language impairment. My initial attempts to apply these principles to interventions with children with complex communication needs indicate that they may be of considerable value to clinicians planning intervention programs. On the other hand, the challenges posed by the intellectual and physical limitations of many AAC users and their communication systems make it necessary to modify at least Principle 5 if the basic goals of intervention are to be met.

scholarly journals The Use of Augmentative and Alternative Communication to Support PeopleWith Intellectual Disability

RENOTE ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrei Carniel ◽  
Carla Diacui Medeiros Berkenbrock
Keyword(s):  
Intellectual Disability ◽  
Augmentative And Alternative Communication ◽  
Participatory Design ◽  
Communication Channel ◽  
Design Science ◽  
Science Research ◽  
Design Science Research ◽  
Communication Model ◽  
Alternative Communication ◽  
User Adaptation

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) is a strategy to deal with communication deficiencies. Such deficiencies are presented in people with Intellectual Disability (ID). AAC exploits more than one communication channel to send messages, however it cannot ensure that communication happens. In this paper we develop a prototype of collaborative system to support the communication of people with ID. We employ Design Science Research (DSR) and Participatory Design (PD) to tackle the problem. PD is used in the three design cycles of DSR, which are: knowledge about the user; adaptation of a communication model; and development of screens prototypes. The results are requirements related to communication of people with ID.

Model-based Approaches for Scanning Keyboard Design

2011 ◽  
pp. 264-282
Author(s):  
Samit Bhattacharya
Keyword(s):  
Augmentative And Alternative Communication ◽  
Design Space Exploration ◽  
Design Space ◽  
Space Exploration ◽  
User Performance ◽  
Alternative Communication ◽  
Physically Disabled ◽  
Input Method ◽  
Alternative Approach ◽  
Computer Based

Many individuals with speech and motor disorders face problems in expressing themselves in an easy and intelligible way. An array of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices and techniques is used to alleviate their problems. One of the commonly used computer based AAC systems is the scanning keyboards. A scanning keyboard refers to an on-screen keyboard operated with a scanning input method. There are many ways to place alpha-numeric characters on the keyboard interface. Therefore, it is necessary to compare alternative layouts to determine the best one in terms of user performance. Usually, layouts are compared by testing prototypes with physically disabled users. This approach is problematic since it is difficult to get physically disabled users or collect data from those users. An alternative approach is to use models to compute user performance, which can serve as the basis of layout comparison as well as automatic design space exploration. Several of these models and design space exploration algorithms are reported in the literature. A review of these works is presented in this chapter. The chapter is concluded with a discussion on the limitations of the existing works and the issues that can be taken up for further research.

Achieving Intersubjectivity in Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Auer ◽  
Ina Hörmeyer
Keyword(s):  
Cerebral Palsy ◽  
Augmentative And Alternative Communication ◽  
Synthetic Speech ◽  
Alternative Communication ◽  
Computer Based

This paper investigates communication, including computer-based speech aids by people with severe cerebral palsy—namely Augmented and Alternative Communication, AAC. The reduced bodily capacities and the “uncontrolled bodies” of CP sufferers make bodily synchronization with their partners a considerable challenge. What is more, the electronic speech aid not only produces a disembodied language (synthetic speech), but also has a massive impact on the mutual corporeal attunement of the participants. It will be shown that these detrimental effects of AAC can lead to a breakdown in temporal, sequential and topical structure, and to interactional failure and lack of understanding. However, there are ways to overcome these risks—for example, a “moderator” who channels and controls co-participants’ activities despite the Augmented/Alternative Communicator’s focus on the machine, even during the production of a complex utterance. Thus the machine can be “embodied,” and the interaction can—despite CP—become an “intercorporeal” one.

Investigating the Assessment Procedures for Children With Complex Communication Needs

2020 ◽  
pp. 152574012096064
Author(s):  
Elena Theodorou ◽  
Eliada Pampoulou
Keyword(s):  
Augmentative And Alternative Communication ◽  
Comprehensive Assessment ◽  
Assessment Process ◽  
Alternative Communication ◽  
Complex Communication Needs ◽  
Language Communication ◽  
Speech And Language Pathologists ◽  
Communication Needs ◽  
Assessment Procedures

Successful intervention outcomes and comprehensive assessment is important, for people who rely on augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). However, the literature surrounding AAC assessment remains sparse. The purposes of this project were to describe the AAC assessment process followed by speech and language pathologists (SLPs) and to suggest areas for a comprehensive assessment. The research questions are (a) to identify the training received and (b) to explore the key elements of the assessment process. A questionnaire was developed based on the Participation Model and completed by 89 SLPs. The findings show that SLPs base their AAC assessment on clinical decisions, taking into consideration a number of elements, such as language, communication, and social skills. However, the process uncovered through this research cannot be characterized neither comprehensive nor systematic. The findings indicate that further training on AAC assessment is warranted, thus ensuring high quality of services for people with complex communication needs.

CSS and Children

2010 ◽  
pp. 130-147 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathryn D.R. Drager ◽  
Joe Reichle
Keyword(s):  
Background Noise ◽  
Augmentative And Alternative Communication ◽  
Speech Rate ◽  
Research Priorities ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Alternative Communication ◽  
Research Support ◽  
Speech Output ◽  
Communication Disabilities ◽  
Computer Based

Currently, many computer-based augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems use speech output, either synthesized or digitized speech. The goal of this chapter is to provide a review of the research to date on computerized synthesized speech (CSS) with children. Information on the intelligibility and comprehension of CSS for children is presented, and the variables that may affect these, including context, speech rate, age of the child, the language(s) spoken by the listener, experience with CSS, and background noise. Each of these factors and the research support with child participants are discussed. The intelligibility of digitized speech is also discussed. Additionally, this chapter will address the attitudes and preferences of children regarding CSS, as well as hypotheses about the role that CSS may play for children with significant communication disabilities that require AAC. Finally, future research priorities are presented.

Model-Based Approaches for Scanning Keyboard Design

2013 ◽  
pp. 1497-1515
Author(s):  
Samit Bhattacharya
Keyword(s):  
Augmentative And Alternative Communication ◽  
Design Space Exploration ◽  
Design Space ◽  
Space Exploration ◽  
User Performance ◽  
Alternative Communication ◽  
Physically Disabled ◽  
Input Method ◽  
Alternative Approach ◽  
Computer Based

Many individuals with speech and motor disorders face problems in expressing themselves in an easy and intelligible way. An array of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices and techniques is used to alleviate their problems. One of the commonly used computer based AAC systems is the scanning keyboards. A scanning keyboard refers to an on-screen keyboard operated with a scanning input method. There are many ways to place alpha-numeric characters on the keyboard interface. Therefore, it is necessary to compare alternative layouts to determine the best one in terms of user performance. Usually, layouts are compared by testing prototypes with physically disabled users. This approach is problematic since it is difficult to get physically disabled users or collect data from those users. An alternative approach is to use models to compute user performance, which can serve as the basis of layout comparison as well as automatic design space exploration. Several of these models and design space exploration algorithms are reported in the literature. A review of these works is presented in this chapter. The chapter is concluded with a discussion on the limitations of the existing works and the issues that can be taken up for further research.

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