at for aphasia

8/7/2019 AT for Aphasia

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Sonya Van Horn, M.S., ATPAT Consultant

North Carolina Assistive Technology Program



North Carolina

Assistive Technology ProgramState & federally funded

No charge to persons with disabilities and families

Programs that are required by law to provide assistivetechnology services must reimburse us for our services

Vocational Rehabilitation

Independent Living

Veteran s Administration

Public School Systems

CAP-MR/DD



EligibilityNCATPprovides AT

services toindividuals of all ages,all disabilities,their familiesand serviceproviders.



ServicesAdvocacyConsultationEquipment DemonstrationEducation andTrainingEquipment LoanInformation andReferral

Technical AssistanceTechnical ServicesProgramDevelopment



SylvaATRC



What Is AssistiveTechnology? Any piece of

equipment that is used toincrease theindependenceof an individual

with a disability.



Technology=Tools=Power



Assistive technology

is connecting theworld quickly andeasily in previouslyunimaginable ways,especially throughthe Internet and e-mail. Many of these

advances have beenlifesavers for peoplewith disabilities.



Technology choice depends on

type and severity of aphasiaReceptive

Difficulty understanding spoken language

Difficulty understanding text Expressive

Difficulty speaking



Most Common Types of Assistive Technology

Used by Persons with Aphasia

Computer-based Treatment Systems

Augmentative CommunicationComputer Access

Reading Aids



Computer-based Treatment SystemsComputer-based treatment systemsconsist of a regular desktop or laptopcomputer equipped with specializedsoftware programs. The softwareprograms may be used by the personwith aphasia independently or may beused as an adjunct to weekly therapy

sessions with a speech-languagepathologist or other rehabilitationprofessional.



K nowing whether or not a computer will behelpful in home therapy is a complexdecision. It requires detailed knowledge of the user's language capabilities plus afamiliarity with the software and hardwareoptions. How do you pick software that targets the skills that need to bestrengthened? How do you know that thedifficulty level is not too high and not toolow? A speech language pathologist and/oran assistive technology consultant can helpyou find answers.

Computer-based Treatment Systems



Computer-based Treatment SystemsPeople report benefits that come from

exercising their brain and practicing

skills on a daily basis with thenonjudgmental, immediate feedback acomputer can provide.



Computer-based Treatment SystemsTo find out whether you might benefit from a

computer-based treatment system, you needfirst to determine your particular goals. Aspeechlanguage pathologist can help youdefine goals and identify appropriate softwaretools. There are programs designed to helpwith:

auditory comprehensionreading comprehensionwritingword-findingcognitive skills, such as attention,memory and problem solving



Computer-based Treatment SystemsA symbol-based communication system,in combination with a daily training

program, has been shown to improvenatural language production in peoplewith severe aphasia



Augmentative Communication SystemsThese systems help people with speech orlanguage disorders function better in dailylife. They may look like portable talkingboxes or may consist of software that isused on a desktop or laptop computer.Augmentative and alternative communication

systems can enhance the speech and writingof people with significant speech andlanguage difficulties.



Augmentative Communication SystemsA wide variety of alternative communicationoptions exist:

voice-output devices that come in many shapesand sizesword-prediction software that guesses what youare trying to typeprograms that read the text on the screen out loud

Alternative communication systems may alsobe called speech-generating devices andare covered by Medicare and many otherinsurance



Augmentative Communication Systems

Low Tech SymbolSystems




Text-basedSystems




Dedicated DigitizedVoice Systems




Computer-basedSystems



Computer AccessAlternative keyboardsAlternative mice

trackballseye gaze systemshead mousefoot mouse

Word predictingprograms



Reading Pens

Are shaped like a pocket-sized pen with adisplay screen and buttons. Users scanprinted text with the small optical scanner inthe tip of the pen, and the device translates,defines, reads aloud, or stores the text quicklyand accurately anytime and anywhere.

Reading pens can:Define and translate scanned everyday words,phrases, and professional terms into any of 25languagesRead scanned words aloudStore scanned text and transfer it to a PC orhandheld device (online or later)Use special display and audio features to helppeople with special needs (such as dyslexia,aphasia, and literacy issues)



Funding ResourcesPublic s choo ls, pr iv ate s choo ls, Head S tartCSHS /Med ic a idCAP MR/DDBirth to Three AT Fun dsVo cat io n a l Reha bili tat io nIn depe n de n t Livin gP r iv ate hea lth in s u ra nc e ( DME)

Disa bili ty orga niz at io n s ( Easter Sea ls, UCP A)Ser vic e orga niz at io n s (Li o n s, Maso n s, Elk s)P r iv ate orga niz at io n sSe lf- pay/ low in terest loa n s



Determine the need.Determine the device or assistive

technology needed.Determine available funding resources.Gather all essential information.Get funding authorization approval.Seek co-payment sources.Seek appeals as appropriate.

Funding Process



NCATPFunding Specialist

Annette Lauber

919-850-2787



Staff Sonya Van Horn, M.S.,

ATPAT Consultant

Mary K ay Dulin, B.S.

AT S ecialist



Computer Access

Provide accessto internet informationresources

Increaseemployment optionsIncrease

educationalopportunitiesIncrease

communication



Activities of

Daily LivingIncrease

independence

ImprovesafetyDecrease risk

of injury tocare providers



Vehicle

ModificationsProvide

community

access



Recreation

Increaseaccess torecreationalopportunities



" Comp u ters Made Easy : A guide to computer solutions forindividuals with disabilities and their caregivers." Ruth Bluestone©2000. This practical guide will answer important questions relatedto the use of computers by individuals with disabilities, specificallythose with communication and/or cognitive problems. Its goal is tohelp individuals with disabilities, the professionals who treat them,and family members find hardware and software solutions to meet the individual needs and to enhance the quality of lives of individuals with disabilities. Cost 22.50USD (includes shipping andhandling). To order, call Ruth Bluestone at 508-238-6015 or emailr. blu esto n e@ com cast. n et for more information.

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