Possibilities of battery-free AACloth for augmentative and alternative communication: views of parents of children with cerebral palsy

• Published in: SN applied sciences 2023-12, Vol.5 (12), p.333-9, Article 333
• Main Authors: Elo, Charlotta, Virkki, Johanna, Vihriälä, Tanja, Ihalainen, Tiina
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: AACloth; Applied and Technical Physics; Assistive technology; Augmentative and alternative communication; Brain; Brain injury; Case Study; Cerebral palsy; Chemistry/Food Science; Children; Children & youth; Cognition & reasoning; Cognitive ability; Developmental disabilities; E-textile; Earth Sciences; Engineering; Environment; Families & family life; Head injuries; Materials Science; Motor ability; Muscles; Neurological diseases; Paralysis; Parents; Parents & parenting; Passive radio-frequency identification; Qualitative research; Radio frequency identification; Radio-tagging; Sign language; Skills; Surveys; Textiles
• ISSN: 2523-3963; 2523-3971
• DOI: 10.1007/s42452-023-05577-4

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a neurological disorder that primarily affects body movement, muscle coordination, and muscle tone. Non-progressive brain injury or abnormal brain development that occurs while the child’s brain is under development causes CP. It is estimated that 40–85% of children with CP have communication difficulties. Children with communication difficulties can benefit from augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). However, studies have shown that several challenges in using AAC exist. Developing existing AAC methods and creating new AAC solutions are important to enable everyone to communicate and express themselves without barriers. This qualitative study aims to investigate how parents of children with CP would use a wireless and battery-free, passive radio-frequency identification (RFID)-based e-textile—AACloth—as an AAC solution. The research was conducted via an online survey. Parents with a child under 15 with CP and communication difficulties were included. Parents were recruited by distributing the survey invitation via the Finnish CP Association’s monthly newsletter, Facebook page, and social media groups. Nine parents participated. Based on parents’ views, the AACloth could solve some of the challenges associated with existing AAC methods. This research provides perspectives on what kinds of factors should be considered when developing existing and new AAC aids. Article highlights The aim of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) is to support the self-expression and communication of people with communication difficulties. However, there are several challenges in using AAC methods, making it important to develop the existing AAC tools and create new ones. For this reason, we asked parents of children with communication difficulties how they would use a wireless and battery-free, passive radio-frequency identification (RFID)-based e-textile—AACloth—as an AAC solution. All parents responding to the survey would attach the AACloth to their child’s mobility aid or communication device; the child would control the AACloth with their hand. According to parents’ views, the AACloth would be used in everyday communication situations in which the child could, e.g., express their will and ask for help.