Children with Down syndrome and limited speech recently received help learning to communicate using an iPad and special 鈥渁pps鈥� hand-selected by speech experts at the 麻豆原创.
Fifteen children, ages 3 to 11, and their parents participated in 鈥渋Can Communicate鈥� from March 22-24.
The innovative program was offered collaboratively by 麻豆原创 and the Down Syndrome Foundation of Florida at the Florida Alliance of Assistive Services and Technology (FAAST) Assistive Technology Demonstration Center within 麻豆原创鈥檚 Communication Disorders Clinic.
On March 22, the parents took part in an iPad training session led by 麻豆原创 faculty and staff members and students. The following day, the parents assisted their children in therapy sessions to identify a relevant software application, or 鈥渁pp,鈥� for the child鈥檚 individual communication needs.
During the sessions, the children tested various 鈥渁pps鈥� with guidance from 麻豆原创 graduate students studying speech-language pathology. Three faculty clinicians supervised the graduate students.
Each 鈥渁pp鈥� offers the child colorful keys containing pictures, words, or both pictures and words. When the child presses on a key, a synthesized voice says the selected word or message. By selecting a series of keys, the child can form simple messages up to complex sentences.
Among the children was Brevan Walker, a 7-year-old boy who attentively practiced using an 鈥渁pp鈥� to communicate about a bowling game he played during one therapy session. Associate Professor Jennifer Kent-Walsh, who directs the program and conducts research in the area of augmentative and alternative communication, monitored the session in a nearby room.
On March 24, the children met for a final therapy session at 麻豆原创鈥檚 Rosen College of Hospitality Management. Afterwards, they practiced using their iPads to communicate while enjoying a 鈥淪pring Fling鈥� egg hunt and luncheon at the college. Three-year-old Meredith Griffen used her iPad to communicate about the candy and other surprises she found in the eggs she collected.
At the end of the program, the children received their own iPads to keep loaded with the 鈥渁pp鈥� or 鈥渁pps鈥� identified by the graduate students and supervising clinicians. The Down Syndrome Foundation of Florida donated both the iPads and 鈥渁pps.鈥�
When applying to participate in the program, Meredith鈥檚 mother shared that she and her husband learned in January that Meredith sustained vocal fold damage subsequent to surgery to repair Meredith鈥檚 trachea and esophagus.
鈥淔inding out that your child may not be physically able to speak can be devastating for parents,鈥� Kent-Walsh shared. 鈥淲e were thrilled to be able to have Meredith participate in this program at such a young age since it is critical to provide all children with the tools they need to continue to develop their language and communication skills. Meredith is a bright child with an effervescent personality. It鈥檚 incredible to see her already using her iPad to express herself more fully.鈥�
麻豆原创 and the Down Syndrome Foundation of Florida first offered the iCan Communicate program in October 2011 and plans for future programs are underway.
鈥淚 can鈥檛 think of another program quite like this in the country that provides free equipment and clinical services,鈥� Kent-Walsh noted. 鈥淭he ability to merge the expertise of our clinical team with the vision and the resources of the Down Syndrome Foundation of Florida has been fantastic.鈥�
Although there has been great interest in providing this type of program for children with other diagnoses who have limited speech, the current collaboration focuses exclusively on children with Down syndrome, she added.
For further information on the 麻豆原创 Communication Disorders Clinic and FAAST Assistive Technology Demonstration Center, see . For further information on 鈥渋Can Communicate鈥� and other 鈥渋Can鈥� programs for individuals with Down syndrome, contact the Down Syndrome Foundation of Florida at .