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Augmentative and alternative communication devices for aphasia: the emerging role of “smart” mobile devices

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Abstract

Recent advances in mobile technology offer new directions for augmentative and alternative communication (AAC); however, it remains unclear whether they meet the needs of individuals with aphasia. This paper reports on research seeking to understand this changing landscape. A Web-based survey of aphasia-oriented clinicians helped illuminate device adoption trends. Observations of group therapy sessions featuring high-tech AAC use and focus groups with the clinicians from those sessions provided further nuance and insight into usage and adoption. It was shown that “smart” mobile devices are garnering acceptance as a promising platform for high-tech AAC; however, contrary to the authors’ expectations, these devices are not being paired with mobile versions of traditional picture dictionaries. Rather, clinicians reported appropriating generic applications to complement other (non-high-tech) communication strategies, suggesting new opportunities for design.

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Notes

  1. http://www.assistiveware.com/product/proloquo2go.

  2. www.dynavoxtech.com, www.techcess.co.uk, store.prentrom.com, www.gusinc.com, www.aphasia.com.

  3. www.assistiveware.com/product/proloquo2go, vocabeans.com, myvoiceaac.com, www.aphasia.com/slp/SmallTalk_Apps.

  4. www.aphasia.com.

  5. http://www.limesurvey.org/.

  6. http://www.icoon.eu/icoon.html.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are thankful for financial support from NSERC, the GRAND Networks of Centres of Excellence of Canada, the University of Toronto Connaught Fund, and MyVoice Inc. They additionally thank their fellow members of the TAGlab, many of whom helped shape this work with thoughtful suggestions and feedback, and especially Rachelle Campigotto who assisted with some of the focus group sessions. Finally, they are most grateful for the many clinicians and individuals with aphasia who graciously donated their time and energy to this research.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Information Studies, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada

    Karyn Moffatt

  2. Technologies for Aging Gracefully Lab, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada

    Golnoosh Pourshahid & Ronald M. Baecker

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  1. Karyn Moffatt
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  2. Golnoosh Pourshahid
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  3. Ronald M. Baecker
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Karyn Moffatt.

Additional information

This work was supported by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), the GRAND Networks of Centres of Excellence of Canada, the University of Toronto Connaught Fund, a Google Faculty Research Award, and MyVoice Inc.

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Moffatt, K., Pourshahid, G. & Baecker, R.M. Augmentative and alternative communication devices for aphasia: the emerging role of “smart” mobile devices. Univ Access Inf Soc 16, 115–128 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10209-015-0428-x

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