CD 485 Computer Applications in Communication Disorders and Sciences

SECTION V:  Non Computer aides to communication.

    Many strategies and devices are used as augmentative or alternate modes of communication that do not involve computers.  Some of these are:

1.   Pencil and note-pads

2. 2. Simple gestures—These are often used in the home in many instances by communicatively handicapped individuals in preference to computer aided speech because it is more efficient.

3. 3. Indian Sign Language (Amerind) is a easily learned system for communicating basic needs and thoughts.  The sign below means “table.”

4. 4. American Sign language (ASL)--which includes finger spelling,

and a system of signs including lexicon and its own grammatical structure.

Here is a student’s comment in ASL on

Dr. Halls lecture and what it does for her.

5. 5. Bliss Symbols—This is a visual pictorial language.  In the square below is the statement, “ I lost my passport while traveling in China.”  for further information on these, see this URL:

For further information on these, see this URL:

http://www.symbols.net/blissre.htm

6.  Communication boards and booklets--this includes boards and booklets that are made in class, may be portable, may be pointed to with a finger or head pointer, and may be used to develop language as well as to communicate.

    and boards that are pointed to with ones eyes!

7. 7.  Artificial Larynx: The first artificial larynx developed by AT&T Bell Labs was purely mechanic. A metallic reed vibrated inside a tube that was connected, by the speaker, between the mouth and the stoma, an artifical opening in the speaker's throat. Air forced up the windpipe, through the tube and across the reed, was then manipulated in the speaker's mouth to create artificial speech. In 1960, AT&T Bell Labs replaced the mechanical artificial larynx with an electronic version. This required no stoma, and could simply be held against the speaker's throat. A vibrating driver in the larynx replaced the sounds made by vocal cords, which could then be formed into words by the speaker. AT&T made it available at cost worldwide.

8.  Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS)-- The Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) was developed 12 years ago as a unique augmentative alternative training package that allows children and adults with autism and other communication deficits to initiate communication. First used at the Delaware Autistic Program, PECS has received worldwide recognition for focusing on the initiation component of communication. PECS does not require complex or

expensive materials. It was created with educators, resident care providers and families in mind, and so it is readily used in a variety of settings.  It basically uses picture cards as a currency for communication.  The child is taught to select and give a picture representing his/her need to a communication partner, who then responds. 

    Phase 1, the initial training.          Later comes independent action.

For more information, please visit this URL

http://www.pecs.com/page5.html

8. 8. Interpreters—are an important link between any two groups speaking different languages and Sign Language Interpreting is a profession that is both interesting and rewarding….

    We might wonder if the advances in technology, which enable computers to be controlled by an eye gaze, or to predict letters, words and phrases, and to produce speech output at the press of a button, have made these time honored low-technology methods OBSOLETE.  The answer is No.  These materials and techniques will always be useful because they have the advantages of being inexpensive, indestructible, highly accessible, very portable and easy to learn and sometime more efficient.

Low tech methods, as the above are often referred to, are nevertheless restrictive in the clarity of the message, the complexity of the communication, or as in the case of gesturing or Sign-language, in the number of people who can understand it.  In a familiar environment, however, they are often the best system for the job

But if the user is going to communicate in the community (especially in college or the workplace,) then computer technology becomes advantageous. 

Among computer devices there are in general two kinds: Computers that are solely constructed for (dedicated to do)  a particular task; and general computers which have been provided with special software to do a particular task.   We will examine the latter first.