Publications

Abstract

There are different kinds of technologies being used to improve the communication opportunity of children with verbal challenges. Portable communication devices provide the facility to the users for customizing applications according their needs. Besides, the usability and costing range of these portable communication devices make them less condemning for the users. On the other hand, communication devices efficiently help the users with less motor skills. After considering these points, a communication device named “Bolte Chai”, has been developed and experimented in a special school’s students and teachers based on five criteria to evaluate usability and effectiveness. Those criteria are, the ability to customize the program to fit the needs of the users, motor skills for operating the applications, reasonable time and resources involved in the teaching and utilization procedure, update the system based on current research and proper costing, considering the user’s affordability. Based on the evaluation, it has been seen that, this communication device is usable and effective to improve communication skills of nonverbal children.

Published in: 2016 International Conference on Medical Engineering, Health Informatics and Technology (MediTec)
DOI: 10.1109/MEDITEC.2016.7835391

Date of Conference: 17-18 Dec. 2016
INSPEC Accession Number: 16622976
Publisher: IEEE Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Conference
Location: Dhaka, Bangladesh

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Abstract

Mobile technology has introduced new communication possibility for patients with verbal challenges. In western countries different kinds of SGD and AAC devices are available to fulfill the communicative needs of users with verbal disabilities. Recently mobile phone applications are also used to fulfill the demand of communication. In developing countries like Bangladesh, mobile phones are much more available, affordable and less stigmatizing for the users of any kind. After considering these points, an android app named “Bolte Chai”, has been developed and an experiment has been performed on verbally challenged students and teachers based on four criteria to evaluate the usability and effectiveness of the application. These criteria are, the ability to customize the application to fit the needs of the users, motor skills for operating the applications, reasonable time and resources involved in the teaching and utilization procedure and proper costing, considering the user's affordability. Overall the application supposes to be fully customized, more user friendly and effective to improve communication skills for verbally challenged users.

Published in: 2016 International Conference on Medical Engineering, Health Informatics and Technology (MediTec)
DOI: 10.1109/MEDITEC.2016.7835391

Date Added to IEEE Xplore: 30 January 2017
INSPEC Accession Number: 16622976
Publisher: IEEE
Location: Dhaka, Bangladesh

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Abstract

Functional communication is indispensable for child development at all times but during this COVID-19, non-verbal children become more anxious about social distancing and self-quarantine due to sudden aberration on daily designed practices and professional support. These verbally challenged children require the support of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) for intercommunication. Therefore, during COVID-19, assistance must be provided remotely to these users by a AAC team involving caregivers, teachers, Speech Language Therapist (SLT) to ensure collaborative learning and development of non-verbal child communication skills. However, most of the advanced AAC, such as Speech Generating Devices (SGD), Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) based mobile applications (Android & iOS) are designed considering the scenario of developed countries and less accessible in developing countries. Therefore, in this study, we are focusing on representing feasible short term strategies, prospective challenges and as long term strategy, a cloud based framework entitled as “Bolte Chai+”, which is an intelligent integrated collaborative learning platform for non-verbal children, parents, caregivers, teachers and SLT. The intelligent analytics within the platform monitors child overall progress by tracking child activity in mobile application and conversely support parents and AAC team to concentrate on individual child ubiquitous abilities. We believe, the proposed framework and strategies will empower non-verbal children and assist researchers, policy makers to acknowledge a definitive solution to implement AAC as communication support in developing countries during COVID-19 pandemic..

First Online:08 November 2020
DOI: doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-60703-6_6

Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Online ISBN: 978-3-030-60703-6
Print ISBN:978-3-030-60702-9

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Abstract

Augmentative and Alternative Communication(AAC) technology research not only enhance communication but also communal skills in verbally challenged children with Autism Spectrum Disorder(ASD). However,the research on AAC technology is mainly concentrated in developed countries and less explored in developing countries.In this study, we utilized evaluation method to analyze the prospects,existing practices and future possibilities,benefits and barriers of AAC research in developing countries.It is found that Speech Generating Devices(SGD)are mostly preferred by children and in future artifical intelligence(AI)based mobile application will augment communication skills among verbally challenged children.We conclude with general recommendation on succeeding research, collaborative approach and implementation with funding opportunities for substantial growth of AAC technology research in developing countries. This study will facilitate directions for initiating AAC research in developing countries and will accommodate researchers, developers and stakeholders to acknowledge opportunities, barriers, probable and current state of AAC research.

First Online: 08 November 2020
DOI: doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-60703-6_7

Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Online ISBN 978-3-030-60703-6
Print ISBN 978-3-030-60702-9

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