Assistive technologies for spoken and written communications

01 December 2007

American speech and language therapist Melanie Fried-Oken outlined how advances in technology has widely increased communication options for people with MND who can no longer talk or write by themselves.

Ms Fried-Oken began her presentation at the 18th International Symposium on ALS/MND by outlining where we are now in regards to communication technology and concluded with a look at what may be possible in the future.

The presentation centred on Augmentative and Alternative Communication devices (AAC). One major disadvantage with augmentative communication is the speed at which it operates. It is much slower than the spoken word - usually one word a minute compared to normal speech which is around 100 – 300 words a minute. Researchers are working to speed up communication technology to closer match the spoken word.

She outlined how devices that are currently being designed, that seeksto enable the user to approach natural speaking rates. These included:

• A quick fire computer device enables the user to gain quick responses to give during conversations and can be adapted to the formality of response needed.
• A device which works in much the same way as predictive text - the user types ‘h’ and the most commonly used phrase appears, such as how are you.
• Voice banking which is often considered as an early treatment option. In this system people with MND store their spoken words, phrases, sentences and sounds for future use in customised communication devices.

So what’s next? Melanie outlined an intelligent, portable, wireless speech device. It would use a natural language processor and contain all relevant vocabulary in a communication device with a keyboard. It would give the user personalised words and phrases to chose from and an invasive device would take measures of the brain activity to speak them out.

Mel Barry Communications Manager
01604 611887/07918 652201
mel.barry@mndassociation.org

The 18th International Symposium on ALS/MND is taking place in Toronto, Canada, between Saturday 1 and Monday 3 December. The event is organised by the UK-based Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Association and hosted this year by the ALS Society of Canada.