scholarly journals Effects of a Conversation-Based Intervention on the Linguistic Skills of Children With Motor Speech Disorders Who Use Augmentative and Alternative Communication

2017 ◽  
Vol 60 (7) ◽  
pp. 1980-1998 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gloria Soto ◽  
Michael T. Clarke
Keyword(s):  
Augmentative And Alternative Communication ◽  
Expressive Language ◽  
Speech Disorders ◽  
Expressive Vocabulary ◽  
Alternative Communication ◽  
Motor Speech ◽  
Motor Speech Disorders ◽  
Grammatical Skills ◽  
Severe Motor ◽  
Expressive Language Delay

Purpose This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of a conversation-based intervention on the expressive vocabulary and grammatical skills of children with severe motor speech disorders and expressive language delay who use augmentative and alternative communication. Method Eight children aged from 8 to 13 years participated in the study. After a baseline period, a conversation-based intervention was provided for each participant, in which they were supported to learn and use linguistic structures essential for the formation of clauses and the grammaticalization of their utterances, such as pronouns, verbs, and bound morphemes, in the context of personally meaningful and scaffolded conversations with trained clinicians. The conversations were videotaped, transcribed, and analyzed using the Systematic Analysis of Language Transcripts (SALT; Miller & Chapman, 1991). Results Results indicate that participants showed improvements in their use of spontaneous clauses, and a greater use of pronouns, verbs, and bound morphemes. These improvements were sustained and generalized to conversations with familiar partners. Conclusion The results demonstrate the positive effects of the conversation-based intervention for improving the expressive vocabulary and grammatical skills of children with severe motor speech disorders and expressive language delay who use augmentative and alternative communication. Clinical and theoretical implications of conversation-based interventions are discussed and future research needs are identified. Supplemental Materials https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.5150113

Natural Speech and AAC Intervention in Childhood Motor Speech Disorders: Not an Either/Or Situation

2014 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 117-123 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth R. Oommen ◽  
John W. McCarthy
Keyword(s):  
Augmentative And Alternative Communication ◽  
Speech Disorders ◽  
Speech Development ◽  
Natural Speech ◽  
Alternative Communication ◽  
Motor Speech ◽  
Motor Speech Disorders ◽  
Practical Applications ◽  
Speech Intervention

The future of natural speech development is uncertain for children with motor speech disorders (MSD). There is a strong desire to put plans in place as early as possible to anticipate long-term needs. Simultaneously, the knowledge that natural speech development may take time and effort and the idea that augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) can help to fill in the gap while such progress is being made makes sense on a foundational level. However, practical questions remain about the balance of natural speech intervention along with AAC use, particularly when both skills may require intervention and practice before functional benefits are realized. Although AAC stands for augmentative and alternative communication, what the acronym does not provide is an indication of how balance between augmenting natural speech and seeking more of an alternative is to be obtained. In this article, we review impairments in natural speech in children with MSDs. Through this lens, we navigate a path to understanding how, on a practical level, AAC and natural speech strategies can be implemented simultaneously and in a complementary fashion. Following an overview of literature, we move to a discussion of the dual paradigm approach. Finally, we conclude with practical applications of principles through a case study.

scholarly journals Optimized and Predictive Phonemic Interfaces for Augmentative and Alternative Communication

2019 ◽  
Vol 62 (7) ◽  
pp. 2065-2081 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriel J. Cler ◽  
Katharine R. Kolin ◽  
Jacob P. Noordzij ◽  
Jennifer M. Vojtech ◽  
Susan K. Fager ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Augmentative And Alternative Communication ◽  
Speech Disorders ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Motor Impairments ◽  
Access Method ◽  
Motor Speech Disorders ◽  
Access Methods ◽  
Computational Optimization ◽  
Severe Motor ◽  
Target Locations

Purpose We empirically assessed the results of computational optimization and prediction in communication interfaces that were designed to allow individuals with severe motor speech disorders to select phonemes and generate speech output. Method Interface layouts were either random or optimized, in which phoneme targets that were likely to be selected together were located in proximity. Target sizes were either static or predictive, such that likely targets were dynamically enlarged following each selection. Communication interfaces were evaluated by 36 users without motor impairments using an alternate access method. Each user was assigned to 1 of 4 interfaces varying in layout and whether prediction was implemented (random/static, random/predictive, optimized/static, optimized/predictive) and participated in 12 sessions over a 3-week period. Six participants with severe motor impairments used both the optimized/static and optimized/predictive interfaces in 1–2 sessions. Results In individuals without motor impairments, prediction provided significantly faster communication rates during training (Sessions 1–9), as users were learning the interface target locations and the novel access method. After training, optimization acted to significantly increase communication rates. The optimization likely became relevant only after training when participants knew the target locations and moved directly to the targets. Participants with motor impairments could use the interfaces with alternate access methods and generally rated the interface with prediction as preferred. Conclusions Optimization and prediction led to increases in communication rates in users without motor impairments. Predictive interfaces were preferred by users with motor impairments. Future research is needed to translate these results into clinical practice. Supplemental Material https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.8636948

Issues in Language Sample Collection and Analysis With Children Using AAC

2014 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 65-74 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gail Van Tatenhove
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Augmentative And Alternative Communication ◽  
Language Production ◽  
Expressive Language ◽  
Sample Analysis ◽  
Alternative Communication ◽  
Sample Collection ◽  
Speech Language Pathologists ◽  
Language Sample Analysis ◽  
Language Sample

Language sample analysis is considered one of the best methods of evaluating expressive language production in speaking children. However, the practice of language sample collection and analysis is complicated for speech-language pathologists working with children who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices. This article identifies six issues regarding use of language sample collection and analysis in clinical practice with children who use AAC devices. The purpose of this article is to encourage speech-language pathologists practicing in the area of AAC to utilize language sample collection and analysis as part of ongoing AAC assessment.

The Labeling Problem in Aphasia

1986 ◽  
Vol 51 (2) ◽  
pp. 176-180 ◽  
Author(s):  
Audrey L. Holland ◽  
Davida Fromm ◽  
Carol S. Swindell
Keyword(s):  
Speech Disorders ◽  
Case Description ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Apraxia Of Speech ◽  
Poor Agreement ◽  
Motor Speech ◽  
Motor Speech Disorders ◽  
Communication Difficulties ◽  
Token Test ◽  
Primary Problem

Twenty-five "experts" on neurogenic motor speech disorders participated in a tutorial exercise. Each was given information on M, a patient who had communication difficulties as the result of stroke, and asked to complete a questionnaire about his problem. The information included a detailed case description, an audiotape of M's speech obtained at 4, 9, 13, and 17 days post-stroke, and test results from the Western Aphasia Battery, the Token Test, and a battery for apraxia of speech. The experts were in excellent agreement on M's primary problem, although it was called by seven different names. The experts were in poor agreement on his secondary problem(s), e.g., the presence and type of aphasia and dysarthria. The results suggest that labeling is difficult, even for "experts." Furthermore, the practicing clinician needs to be sensitive to the likelihood of more than one coexisting problem.

Understanding Communication and Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder

2020 ◽  
pp. 39-66
Author(s):  
Alice M. Hammel ◽  
Ryan M. Hourigan
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Joint Attention ◽  
Augmentative And Alternative Communication ◽  
Expressive Language ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Alternative Communication ◽  
Music Classroom ◽  
Students With Autism

Communication is one of the considerable challenges faced by children with autism. Before a child with autism can learn, their must be able to communicate. This chapter includes information on communication traits and characteristics of persons with autism as well as steps to obtain effective communication with students with autism in the music classroom. Other topics include joint attention, reciprocation, echolalia, receptive and expressive language, and augmentative and alternative communication for students with autism in the music classroom.

scholarly journals Communication Support for People with ALS

2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Beukelman ◽  
Susan Fager ◽  
Amy Nordness
Keyword(s):  
Augmentative And Alternative Communication ◽  
Clinical Decision Making ◽  
Clinical Decision ◽  
Alternative Communication ◽  
Motor Speech ◽  
Motor Speech Disorder ◽  
Speech Performance ◽  
Communication Needs ◽  
Almost All ◽  
Lateral Sclerosis

Almost all people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) experience a motor speech disorder, such as dysarthria, as the disease progresses. At some point, 80 to of people with ALS are unable to meet their daily communication needs using natural speech. Unfortunately, once intelligibility begins to decrease, speech performance often deteriorates so rapidly that there is little time to implement an appropriate augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) intervention; therefore, appropriate timing of referral for AAC assessment and intervention continues to be a most important clinical decision-making issue. AAC acceptance and use have increased considerably during the past decade. Many people use AAC until within a few weeks of their deaths.

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