Text messaging with picture symbols -a possibility for AAC users and people with cognitive impairments

Summary
Pocket computers and mobile phones offer possibilities for communication and cognitive support for many of us; for example text messaging (SMS), calendars and reminders. The possibilities for AAC-users to access these tools differ widely, and there is a lack of knowledge concerning use and adaptations.

References
Buchholz M, Olstam M. Text messaging with picture symbols. Proceedings of the 13th Biennial Conference of ISAAC; 2008 Aug 2-7, Montreal, Canada.

AAC and Autism
-communication development using speech-generating devices
Gunilla Thunberg, Speech Language Pathologist, DART- Centre for AAC and Assistive Technology,
Regional Rehabilitation, The Queen Silvia Children’s Hospital, Goteborg, Sweden
and Department of Linguistics, Göteborg University, Sweden
DART, Kruthusg.17, S-41104 Goteborg, Sweden

Aim and main research questions

     Experience from Swedish practice and results from background research show a great need to evaluate the use of speech-generating devices (SGDs) in individuals with autism spectrum disorders. This is also the aim of this project where the following questions are addressed:

1)      How can children with autism spectrum disorders express themselves in different activities in the home setting by use of a SGD, and

2)      How is language and speech development affected by the intervention?

Procedures

    Four children, two of them diagnosed with autism and two with PDD, their families and school staff, participate in the study. The children have been videotaped in different activities in the home-setting. One child was also observed in one activity in the school-setting. The videorecording carried out by parents or staff themselves, were done before and after AAC-intervention. The parents of the children were also interviewed with Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales and two of the children were tested with PPVT, before and after intervention. The intervention consists of:

1) Family centered interviews regarding communication problems and AAC-design.

2) Instruction in software and hardware use and methodology.

3) Support in making the major part of the AAC-tools.

4) Introduction of pictures and VOCAs in chosen activities at home/school.

     The videotapes have been coded and analysed, mainly using a modification of the CCS (Communication Coding Scheme, Romski&Sevcik 1996) Manual here. Chosen parts were also orthographically transcribed to exemplify interesting and important patterns of communication and interaction. Data will be analyzed and discussed in four different studies/articles focusing different questions and aspects of the intervention, and will be defended as a doctoral dissertation in Neurolinguistics, preliminary during 2007.

 The project has been funded by the Handicap Committee of West Gotaland, Petter Silfverskiölds Minnesfond, Sunnerdahls Handicap Funds and Lundgren´s Funds.

 References

Romski, M.A. & Sevcik, R.A. (1996). Breaking the Speech Barrier. Language Development Through Augmented Means. Baltimore: Paul. H. Brookes Publishing

Activity Analysis - as a tool in the design of activity based communication charts
Gerd Zachrisson (OT at DART) with support from the Swedish Handicap Institute (HI)

ARNIT - Access to the Internet and the World Wide Web for people with aphasia
Nordic project based on the Nordic aphasia associations.
Project leader: Ilkka Saarnio, Tammerfors, Finland
The role of DART: Prototype development of a Java based email web browser environment with tailor made UI, plus participation in the evaluation of a web based system developed in Denmark
Swedish participants:
DART: Mats Lundälv, Lage Persson, Roger Lindsjö, Gunilla Thunberg
Rehab.medicin, SU, Göteborg: SLP Ann-Christine Störell
Afasiförbundet i Sverige, Stockholm: Marianne Åkerlund
Funding: Dkr 500 000 from NUH

First phase ended spring 2000. Two prototype systems have been developed and tested. Additional funding is requested from NUH for 2000-2001 to improve and provide these for all Nordic languages.

BlissPost - an Email and WWW Network by and for young BLISS users
This 2 year project started in August 1999 - DART in co-operation with Furuboda, the Swedish Bliss Association, SIH Läromedel (Teaching Materials) in Göteborg, a o.
A group of Bliss users (around 10) are connected in an email network with a common web site. Partly based on Furuboda's WinBliss and BlissMail projects.
Participants: Mats Lundälv a o DART, Håkan Larsson Furuboda, Helga Seter Swedish Bliss Association, Britt Amberntson and Eive Landin - SIH läromedel in Göteborg, a o.

Other participants include: Riksgymnasiet i Göteborg, IT-brukarna-BÖ, Team Munkhättan - KC Syd - Malmö, Björkskataskolan - Luleå, Hjälpmedelscentrum Syd - Stockholm, Inst. for Linguistics at the Göteborg University

Funding: SEK 794 000 from HI - "IT i praktiken" (IT in practice).

DynamIT - Dynamic AAC programs as tools
for children with cognitive impairments
A project for the collation of national and international experiences from the use of dynamic AAC programs for children with cognitive impairments. The project is running from the late spring until mid autumn 2000.

Funding: SEK 200 000 from KFB - "IT för funktionshindrade och äldre" (IT for the disabled and elderly).

Participants: Mimmi Nordblom (SLP) and Eva Holmqvist (OT) at DART

IT Applications and Autism
An evaluation requested by HI: Gunilla Thunberg, (SLP) DART

JavaKomp - Accessibility in the Java environment
A 10 month project running from August 1999 to June 2000.
An evaluation and popularisation of the "Java Accessibility" package, and an evaluation and further development of functionality in "ComLink" (see the Comspec project and the Comspec Web site).
Mats Lundälv and Lage Persson – DART, in co-operation with several other computer resource centres, as well as with LinnéData AB (current Cell Network), Femtio Procent Data AB, Cosmic Software AB a o.

Funding: SEK 700 000 from KFB - " IT for the disabled and elderly "

Communication Through Technology - seen from an every-day perspective
A study in two parts targeting children with severe motor impairment – switch users: Part 1: Inventory and description of dynamic AAC programs and alternative input (including MindMouse/CyberLink). Part 2: Intervention study (to come). Bitte Rydeman (SLP) - DAKO - the habilitation in Halland - Halmstad) and Gerd Zachrisson (OT) - DART.

A 2 year project funded by HI - " IT in practice"

KOMPASS - Communication passports
A 1-year project for the development and dissemination of format and document templates etc. for so called communication passports for speech impaired. Funding: HI – " IT in practice", lead by SÖK in Malmö, in co-operation with DART. Contact is Gunilla Thunberg.

Musicera
The development of special needs music programs has resulted in the "Musicera" series. DART and hb Meloton in co-operation with the SIH consulent Ingvar Sjöqvist (in the city of Skövde), a o. "Musicera" can be purchased from hb Meloton or SIH Teaching Materials.

Contact: Mats Lundälv

OMEGA
A 2-year project for the development of a rich and open software environment stimulating language and communication for children with autism and/or other language and communication problems. Extends the experiences from the Alfa- and DeltaMessages projects.

Solveig Larsson at the Knowledge Centre for autism in Göteborg is the administrator. Project leader is Mikael Heimann at the Institution for Psychology, the Göteborg Univ. Other participants: Tomas Tjus - the Institution for Psychology, the Göteborg Univ., Mats Lundälv DART, Helena Mattiasson - Institution for Computer Linguistics, the Göteborg Univ., Femtio Procent Data AB, Cosmic Software AB a o.

Funding: HI – " IT in practice" and KFB - " IT for the disabled and elderly "

Problem solving model
For communication assessments - Gerd Zachrisson (OT), DART

Speech Control for People with Speech Impairments
A project in co-operation between DAKS in Skövde and DART, supported by R&D funds from Västra Götaland, HI - "IT in practice" and "Stiftelsen Petter Silfverskiölds" foundation. Evaluation of speech control of computers  – specifically adapted for people with different forms of speech impairments.

Contact: Margret Buchholz (OT) - DART