Communication Devices for Speech Problems

Speech problems can interfere significantly with communication.

Complementing body language, speech ranks as an important part of communication. When problems arise with speech, communication devices can help counteract barriers to communication. Speech pathologists call these devices augmentative and alternative communication.

Function

Augmentative and alternative communication --- any communication supplementing oral speech --- works either by direct selection or by scanning. Direct selection requires more motor skills and may be appropriate for those who can use their hands easily. Scanning requires less motor ability and can be appropriate for those who are more physically impaired.

Significance

Collectively, AAC systems, whether picture, alphabet, or semantic-compaction based, transmit thoughts for the speech-impaired into communication. Through using these systems, the chosen device may be a simple pointer or a keyboard as long as it fulfills its purpose of filling in the speech gap.

Language Representation

AAC systems represent language in one of three ways. Single-meaning pictures may represent a full idea and do not require reading skills, but may require a significant set of symbols. Alphabet-based systems require reading, but many predict words before the user spells the entire word. Most commonly used, semantic compaction uses fewer symbols per word than an alphabet-based system and does not require reading.

References

• American Speech-Language-Hearing Association: Information for AAC Users
• American Speech Language-Hearing Association: Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)

Resources

• Mediline Plus: Speech and Communication Disorders