Aphasia and high-tech communication support: a survey of SLPs in USA and India

Abstract

Purpose This survey was conducted to investigate American and Indian clinician’s preference and usage of high-tech communication supports (HTCS) for aphasia rehabilitation to identify factors in each country that support the use of HTCS for improving post-aphasia communicative outcomes. In this study, HTCS include speech-generating augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices with varying methods of access. Method The survey exploring clinically practicing speech-language pathologists’ (SLPs) training, assessment and aphasia rehabilitation practices using HTCS, was electronically distributed in both countries. The raw responses from the US SLPs (n = 56) and Indian SLPs (n = 43) were collected, segregated and then converted into percentages for all 41 survey questions. Results The responses from SLPs indicated higher (70%) and lower use (58%) of HTCS for aphasia in a developed country (USA) and developing country (India), respectively. In the US, identifiable factors for successful use of HTCS for aphasia rehabilitation were familiarity in procuring and programming the device, caregiver training and effectiveness in reducing the time of communicating through the device. In India, factors leading to successful inclusion of HTCS were AAC coursework and clinical training for clinicians and availability of HTCS at affordable prices for clients. Conclusion There is a considerable difference in the educational and clinical practice of AAC as SLPs in the US tend to have more clinical AAC experience with a stronger network for device dissemination in comparison to SLPs in India leading to higher usage of high-tech AAC for aphasia rehabilitation in a developed country. Implications for Rehabilitation For the SLPs, Improve exposure to programming AAC devices in developed countries and increase coursework, clinical training and exposure to programming AAC devices in developing countries. Enhance awareness about integrating high-tech AAC devices in intervention programs. Improve efficiency by minimizing the time in message creation on high-tech AAC device in developed countries. For the bioengineers, Develop AAC application interfaces in regional languages for easier usage in developing countries.