Augmentative Services Research Articles

Fish Swarm Optimized Deep Hopfield Neural Network-Assisted HCI System for Augmentative Communication Using a Visual Feedback System

In this context, the uses of computers, the Human-computer interface (HCI) system, can assist interaction on-demand services. HCI method facilitates ventilated patients to interact with computers about their needs using their brain’s electrical activity. To accomplish this, an HCI framework is developed in this research to facilitate visual feedback system (VFS) using an augmentative communication approach. Augmentative communication (AC.) or icon-based services are incorporated with a portable monitor placed in front of a patient; they can look at the screen to select (ask) their appropriate needs-related icons. The services have been achieved by capturing and processing patients’ electromagnetic brain activates during the icon selection by their eye flickering moment recording using wearable Electroencephalogram (EEG). The flickering icons on the screen conveying an appropriate message to the monitoring unit computer, and the monitoring unit can respond to the patient’s request using VFS. The HCI system is comprised of the following methodologies to achieve augmentative communication-based services such as EEG signals acquisition, filtering, partition-based feature extraction, and fusion and fish swarm optimized Deep Hopfield neural network FSODHNN based classifier. The evolution results of the VSF based HCI framework are demonstrated successfully. It obtained the highest accuracy of 99.11%, specificity of 99.05%, the sensitivity of 99.09%, and the lowest RMSE of 0.98, MSE of 0.92 in icon identification/ selection.

보완대체의사소통 정보 호환을 위한 데이터베이스 설계 및 구축

말로 의사소통하는 데 어려움이 있는 의사소통 장애인들은 보완대체의사소통(AAC)을 사용하여 의사소통한다. AAC를 통해 의사소통하는 사람들은 표현하고자 하는 어휘 혹은 문장을 나타내는 AAC 상징과 AAC 보드를 사용해 의사소통한다. 다양한 AAC 서비스가 웹 기반 혹은 단말 어플리케이션을 통해 보완대체의사소통을 지원하고 있으나 AAC 서비스 간의 표준화 된 AAC 데이터 체계가 없어 데이터 상호교환과 공유가 어렵다. 현재와 같은 AAC 데이터의 비호환성은 의사소통 장애인을 위한 AAC 서비스의 확산에 큰 걸림돌이 된다. 본 논문은 다양한 AAC 서비스 간의 데이터 호환이 가능한 AAC 데이터 체계(AAC 데이터베이스)를 개발하였다. AAC 정보 호환을 위한 AAC 데이터베이스를 통해 다양한 AAC 서비스에서 개발한 AAC 데이터의 공유 및 확산이 촉진되고, AAC 사용자의 서비스 선택 및 전환을 손쉽게 할 수 있을 것으로 기대한다.

Prioritization of patients access to outpatient augmentative and alternative communication services in Quebec: a decision tool

Purpose A large number of people living with a chronic disability wait a long time to access publicly funded rehabilitation services such as Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) services, and there is no standardized tool to prioritize these patients. We aimed to develop a prioritization tool to improve the organization and access to the care for this population. Methods In this sequential mixed methods study, we began with a qualitative phase in which we conducted semi-structured interviews with 14 stakeholders including patients, their caregivers, and AAC service providers in Quebec City, Canada to gather their ideas about prioritization criteria. Then, during a half-day consensus group meeting with stakeholders, using a consensus-seeking technique (i.e. Technique for Research of Information by Animation of a Group of Experts), we reached consensus on the most important prioritization criteria. These criteria informed the quantitative phase in which used an electronic questionnaire to collect stakeholders’ views regarding the relative weights for each of the selected criteria. We analyzed these data using a hybrid quantitative method called group based fuzzy analytical hierarchy process, to obtain the importance weights of the selected eight criteria. Results Analyses of the interviews revealed 48 criteria. Collectively, the stakeholders reached consensus on eight criteria, and through the electronic questionnaire they defined the selected criteria’s importance weights. The selected eight prioritization criteria and their importance weights are: person’s safety (weight: 0.274), risks development potential (weight: 0.144), psychological well-being (weight: 0.140), physical well-being (weight: 0.124), life prognosis (weight: 0.106), possible impact on social environment (weight: 0.085), interpersonal relationships (weight: 0.073), and responsibilities and social role (weight: 0.054). Conclusion In this study, we co-developed a prioritization decision tool with the key stakeholders for prioritization of patients who are referred to AAC services in rehabilitation settings. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILIATION Studies in Canada have shown that people in Canada with a need for rehabilitation services are not receiving publicly available services in a timely manner. There is no standardized tool for the prioritization of AAC patients. In this mixed methods study, we co-developed a prioritization tool with key stakeholders for prioritization of patients who are referred to AAC services in a rehabilitation center in Quebec, Canada.

A survey on the awareness, accessibility and funding for augmentative and alternative communication services and devices in Saudi Arabia

Purpose To develop and distribute a survey to obtain information on the awareness, accessibility and funding for augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) services and devices within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Method The survey targeted three groups of people which included individuals with disabilities and their families, healthcare providers such as medical doctors and nurses and the third group included community members. Survey preparation and administration were performed online via a survey website in order to access a wide range of participants across KSA. Results Results revealed different awareness levels for AAC among the three groups (χ 2 = 45.053, p < .001) with healthcare providers showing a higher degree of awareness compared to the remaining two groups. Moreover, AAC services and devices were found to be accessible within KSA, with no differences in obtaining AAC services and devices among different regions (χ 2 = 14.204, p = .164). Conclusion Although numerous AAC users were able to obtain AAC devices, they identified barriers including a lack of sufficient awareness of the importance, associated expenses, funding constraints and a lack of Arabization of AAC devices. Implications for Rehabilitation Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) methods allow individuals with communication difficulties to interact and socialize with those around them. The general authority of statistics in Saudi Arabia has shown that Saudi Arabia has an increased number of individuals suffering from severe to extreme communication disorders compared to other countries around the world. Consequently, the need for AAC in Saudi Arabia cannot be underestimated. This study demonstrates the importance of the awareness of AAC among different stakeholders in Saudi Arabia including AAC users, healthcare providers and community members so that individuals with communication problems can receive maximum benefit from AAC. Given that most healthcare providers in Saudi Arabia are prescribing non-tech and low-tech AAC methods indicates the importance of training on AAC for healthcare providers serving patients with communication disorders.

Project Building Bridges: Training Speech-Language Pathologists to Provide Culturally and Linguistically Responsive Augmentative and Alternative Communication Services to School-Age Children With Diverse Backgrounds

Purpose Project Building Bridges is a federally sponsored program that prepares speech-language pathology graduate students to provide culturally and linguistically responsive services to school-ag...

Communication supports in pediatric rehabilitation

This article introduces the roles of parents and rehabilitation professionals in the provision of communication supports for children who cannot meet their communication needs through natural speech alone, also referred to as individuals with complex communication needs (CCN). The authors present a personnel framework, introduce intervention models of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) services, and address issues parents face in preparing to provide communication supports to children with CCN using AAC and assistive technology (AT).

Accessible Picture Communication on the Playground

Abstract This article is based on a poster presented at the 2008 ASHA Division 12 conference. The purpose of the poster was to share information about placing a permanent picture communication board on a newly constructed accessible playground at an elementary school. The idea for a permanent communication board was the result of my experience providing augmentative and alternative communication services in schools and in early intervention. My daughter was a student in regular education attending the school, and students who use AAC also attended the school.

AAC use and service provision: A survey of New Zealand speech-language therapists

Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) services for people with complex communication needs in New Zealand were investigated by surveying speech-language therapists. Two separate survey forms were developed and mailed to speech-language therapists who worked with either students or adults. In both survey forms, information was requested about (a) the provision of AAC intervention, (b) the professional needs of speech-language therapists providing AAC services, and (c) demographic information about students with complex communication needs. Low-tech communication options and sign language were the most commonly reported AAC strategies used by adults and students with complex communication needs. Students aged 5 – 10 years received the most AAC intervention. Cerebral palsy, intellectual disabilities and autism spectrum disorders were the most commonly reported etiologies of students who used AAC. A total of 86% of the respondents indicated a desire for further AAC information or training.

Referral of Adults with Developmental Disabilities for Speech, Language, and Augmentative and Alternative Communication Services: Guidelines for the Audiologist

Referral of Adults with Developmental Disabilities for Speech, Language, and Augmentative and Alternative Communication Services: Guidelines for the Audiologist

Do Internet interventions for consumers cause more harm than good? A systematic review.

To systematically review the effect of consumer use of online health information on decision-making, attitudes, knowledge, satisfaction and health outcomes and utilization. Electronic databases searched included the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, MEDLINE, PREMEDLINE (to 14 March 2001), CINAHL, Australian Medical Index, Health and Society, National Institutes of Health Clinical Trials Database and CenterWatch. All post-1995 comparative studies (including controlled studies, before and after studies, and interrupted time series analyses) of Internet users vs. non-Internet users and other communications mediums, and Internet characteristics such as e-mail vs. other communication mediums, were included. Outcomes included consumer decision-making, attitudes, knowledge, satisfaction and measurable changes in health status or health utilization. One reviewer screened all papers then two reviewers independently assessed studies against the selection criteria and any discrepancies were resolved by discussion with a third reviewer. No attempt was made to combine the data for further statistical analysis. We identified 10 comparative studies. Studies evaluated the effectiveness of using the Internet to deliver a smoking cessation programme, cardiac and nutrition educational programmes, behavioural interventions for headache and weight loss, and pharmacy and augmentative services. All studies showed some positive effects on health outcomes, although the methodological quality of many studies was poor. Despite widespread consumer Internet use to obtain health-care information, there is almost a complete lack of evidence of any effects this may have on health outcomes.

Screening clients for an augmentative and alternative communication clinic: a multitrait-multimethod approach.

The aim of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) services is to support, enhance, or provide alternative methods of communication for individuals who are not independent verbal communicators. However, relatively little evaluative research has been conducted with adult AAC users. The establishment of Freeport Hospital's AAC Clinic for adults included the development of questionnaires to gather information for the selection and provision of services for its clients. The present study addresses the issue reliability and validity of three novel measures contained within the AAC Clinic's Background Information Questionnaire using a multitrait-multimethod (MTMM) design. Results from this evaluation are discussed in terms of clinical application and policy development.

Development and Assessment of a Rate Acceleration Keyboard for Direct-Selection Augmentative and Alternative Communication Users

Pamela Mathy-Laikko received her PhD in Communicative Disorders from the University of WisconsinMadison. Her current position is clinical director of the Hattie B. Munroe Augmentative Communication Center at Meyer Rehabilitation Institute, University of NelYraska Medical Center. She has been actively involved in the augmentative communication area for more than 12 years. In addition to extensive clinical work, her contributions to the area include book chapters and research publications as well as inservice and preservice training. Her current research interests include rate acceleration techniques and interactions of augmentative communication users. Carol West received her master's degree from Ohio University in Athens, Ohio. She is currently a doctoral student at the University of NelYraska-Lincoln and is employed at the Meyer Rehabilitation Institute at the University of NelYraska Medical Center. Ms. West provides consultative augmentative communication services for school-aged students. Rebecca Jones is currently a doctoral student in communication disorders at the University of NelYraskaLincoln. She received her bachelor's degree from Illinois State University. From 1980 to 1987 she was special educator with multiple-handicapped, nonspeaking students at the Developmental Center in Peoria, Illinois. From 1987 to 1988 she was assistive technology specialist for Don Johnston Developmental Equipment. While obtaining a doctorate degree, her research and clinical interests will focus on augmentative communication and neurogenic speech disorders.

Prevalence and policy implications of communication disabilities among adults

Data from the Canadian Health and Activity Limitations survey are used to examine the prevalence and policy implications of communication disabilities among adults. The prevalence of difficulty speaking and making oneself understood increases with age among community-based individuals. A different pattern was found among institutionalized persons, but this was likely due to a selection effect, whereby the population of institutionalized younger persons includes only the most severely disabled individuals. The age distribution of persons with communication disabilities is strongly skewed toward older adults in both the community and institutional surveys, and increased age was associated with more activity limitations and greater severity of disability. Despite the bias in the age distribution of persons with communication disabilities, augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) services have been oriented primarily to younger individuals. Further research and evaluation on the provision of AAC servi...

Delivery of Augmentative Communication Services

Greater numbers of nonspeaking persons are being educated in public schools. Public school speech-language pathologists frequently have minimal training and experience in providing appropriate augmentative communication system training to this population. This paper provides options, based on PL 94-142's mandates and ASHA's Code of Ethics, for service delivery of such systems.