Pioneering NextGen AAC with Phonemies!
Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices are vital tools designed to aid those with communication disorders in expressing themselves. These devices range from simple, non-electronic options to sophisticated, high-tech solutions. Among these, advancements in technology have paved the way for innovative applications that push the boundaries of traditional AAC devices, offering new hope and capabilities to users. One such innovation is the Ortho-Graphix "I Can Speak Without You (ICSWY) app" funded by Innovate UK, which represents a significant leap forward in the field.
The app being developed allows non-speaking children who cannot yet read and spell to type words in Speech Sound Monsters - or Phonemies (Foe Nee Meez) if you don’t want to use the word ‘monsters’ - and they see the correctly spelt word on the screen for someone to read or text to speech. Speech therapists have been using the IPA for years – it’s a universal system that offers a universal spelling code, as pointed out by Stanislas Dehaene in his book 'Reading in the Brain'.
Children who cannot yet read and spell find spelling words from speech to print easy – and easier when we do this with toddlers! Their brains are far more ‘plastic’ and attuned to the sounds of language.
All of the children give the correct ‘Phonemies’ (foe nee mees) here as they don’t have a ‘visual’ of a word stored in orthographic lexicon.
Many using the IPA are used to typing words to see the phonetic symbols e.g., ‘village’ is displayed in speech sound / phoneme characters as [ˈvɪlɪdÊ’].
But the big question will be – can skilled readers play words in speech sounds??!
We use these speech sound monster characters (Phonemies) as actual phonetic symbols look too much like letters and also aren’t appealing to young children. But they serve the same purpose.
If asked to ‘play’ your name in Phonemies in the I Can Speak Without You NextGenAAC app, will YOU type the words in the right phonetic symbol alternatives?
It’ll be interesting if toddlers have to teach their parents ‘speech to print’ spelling!
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The Landscape of AAC Devices
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Non-Technological and Low-Tech AAC
Starting from basic non-technological AAC, like symbol boards and communication books, to low-tech devices such as simple speech generating devices and Picture Exchange Communication Systems (PECS), the foundation of AAC has always been about enhancing personal expression.
Mid to High-Tech Solutions
The evolution continues with mid-tech dynamic display devices and high-tech solutions, including advanced speech generating devices and tablet-based AAC apps. These devices offer customisable vocabulary, text-to-speech, and internet accessibility, catering to a wide range of communication needs.
Introducing I Can Speak Without You (ICSWY) App:
A Groundbreaking Development
Amidst these remarkable technologies, the ICSWY app stands out as a groundbreaking development. This app, designed by Ortho-Graphix Tech, addresses a significant gap in AAC technology by providing non-speaking children who cannot yet read or spell the opportunity to communicate complex thoughts and needs effectively. With the ICSWY app, children as young as 2 or 3 years old can type in speech sounds, and the app transforms these inputs into written words on the screen. This text can either be read by the person they are communicating with or converted into speech at the click of a button.
What sets the ICSWY app apart is its simplicity and intuitiveness. Using just one keyboard, young children can convey sophisticated messages like "I want a blue milkshake with strawberry sprinkles", despite not being able to type or read the words traditionally. This capability is not just innovative; it's transformative, offering children a level of independence and self-expression that was previously unattainable.
The Future of AAC
As we look towards the future, technologies like eye-tracking systems and brain-computer interfaces continue to push the envelope of what's possible in AAC. Yet, it's applications like the ICSWY that remind us of the profound impact that accessible, user-friendly technology can have on the lives of individuals with communication challenges.
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The integration of the ICSWY app into the AAC landscape exemplifies the ongoing innovation in the field, aiming to provide more personalised and effective communication solutions. By focusing on user-friendly designs and breakthrough technologies, the future of AAC devices looks promising, with the potential to offer unprecedented levels of communication support to those who need it most.
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