Augmentative and alternative communication with digital assistant for autistic children

• Main Authors: Torii, I., Ohtani, K., Niwa, T., Yamamoto, A., Ishii, N.
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Subjects: AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication); Autism mental retardation communication; Cameras; Communication systems; Educational institutions; Personal digital assistants; Switches; Thumb; VOCA (Voice Output Communication Aid); XML
• DOI: 10.1109/ESPA.2012.6152448

"Let's Talk!" is a new AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) application for personal digital assistant for autistic children. This new and remarkable application has many particular advantages comparing to existing AAC. We especially focused on an easy and simple manipulation. By tapping a symbol on a screen of a PDA with this application, a user can show his/her thoughts with pictures and sounds to others easily. There are 2 modes which can be switched depending on different situations of users. It has 120 symbols based on daily life and a user can also create the original page with new icons made by pictures or sound. The operation of "Let's Talk!" is simple and easy. When a user chooses one from 12 categories on the top page, more specific symbols will be appeared and voice sound will come out by touching a symbol. For example, if a user chooses "Eat" category and "bread" for a symbol, the voice will say "I want to eat bread." There are 2 modes which can be switched depending on different situations of users. On "Supportive Mode", a supporter shows the application to a user. On Self-use Mode, a user can tell what he/she wants directly with categories and symbols. It is possible to make original icons with a camera or a voice recorder in PDA. A user also can customize an original page by arranging icons he made or existing symbols.