Technology plays a special role in boosting speech and communication skills. Technology is changing the field of speech-language pathology. Technological devices can help people whose physical conditions make it difficult to communicate. Let's explore what the role of technology is in speech therapy, and how it can be used to enhance therapy.
THE USE OF TECHNOLOGY IN SPEECH DISORDER THERAPY
The process of speech therapy is a long one. It can be difficult to maintain the interest of a patient especially if that patient is a child who might feel shy about a new stranger or frustrated about their inability to express themselves properly.
There are a
lot of reasons why a person might need to undergo speech therapy. Healthy
issues like stroke, autism, and stuttering are common issues that could benefit
from speech therapy.
The good news is that new technology has made it possible for speech therapy sessions to be more effective, efficient, and readily available to a lot of people who need it.
Technology in speech therapy could come in many forms. The most obvious ones are tablets such as iPads that have been transformed into Augmentative Alternate Communication devices that are used to build a strong communication channel between the therapist and the patient through
Another technology that doesn't get a lot of attention due to its limited scope (as of the moment) is robots. We are still years away from having robots as our main therapist, but there are designs. This robot was made specifically for children with autism. It can speak and able to move its facial features to communicate. It's able to help children with autism learn different social skills. The robot was intended to be a domestic companion for children with autism to keep their learning process going even when they are at home.
KASPAR (Kinesics and Synchronization in Personal Assistant Robotics) is a humanoid educational robot that was made specifically for children with autism. Kaspar looks like a real human boy and acts as a social companion to improve the lives of children with autism and provide a variety of facial expressions, body movements, and communicative interactions.
Sword
As mentioned earlier, it's not just children who benefit from speech therapy. People who have suffered a stroke may also have a chance to regain their life before their health issues.
There is an ongoing theory that has been proposed by researchers that stroke victims may be
able to regain their lost speech with the use of intense stimulation through
sounds, text, and images. The theory states that speech should be learned from
within, focusing on repairing and strengthening damaged nerves.
Software
like Sword can be installed on their computer which will make it possible for
them to say common words like "tree" or "house" using a
corresponding picture. Users are encouraged to match the words to their
pictures before attempting to say the words themselves.
Apps
When we think of speech therapy and technology, what immediately comes to mind are apps. Short for applications, apps have dominated the digital landscape and have made the lives of a lot of people quite convenient.
There is a wide selection of apps available today that have been designed to help people with speech issues. It is only a matter of finding out their needs and the right application. The specific requirement for each patient will, of course, vary but there have been a number of apps that have been designed for general purposes.
Talking Larry is an example of such an app. It gives users the ability to record something they said and play it back in a funny voice through the mouth of a cartoon animal. This is a great way to engage children who are shy and self-conscious.
There are different ways to keep the interaction entertaining. People could sing to the app or use different vocal effects.
For children who struggle to make a particular sound such as the letters S, Z, or R, the app Articulation Station is also a good choice. The app focuses on the letter that the child is having trouble with. It gives them words with the letter located at different parts of the word. When the child is making progress, it is possible to move on to sentences and
phrases.
At the end
of the therapy, the app moves on to stories which also help keep the interest
of the child during sessions.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Speech disorders are a type of communication disorder where a person's normal speech is disrupted. No doubt we will continue such technology to evolve over time and help deal with communication disorders and learning disabilities.
Speech therapy may be an old science but technology has a lot of applications that scientists and researchers are only beginning to explore.