ISSN: 2583-9888

DOI: [Link]/10.51219/JAIMLD/anand-sarangam/376

Journal of Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning and Data Science

[Link]

Vol: 1 & Iss: 1 Research Article

Enabling Communication Tools for Kids with Disabilities

Anand Sarangam*

Citation: Sarangam A. Enabling Communication Tools for Kids with Disabilities. J Artif Intell Mach Learn & Data Sci 2022, 1(1),
1685-1688. DOI: [Link]/10.51219/JAIMLD/anand-sarangam/376
Received: 02 October, 2022; Accepted: 18 October, 2022; Published: 20 October, 2022
*Corresponding author: Anand Sarangam, Accessibility SME, USA, E-mail: [Link]@[Link]
Copyright: © 2022 Sarangam A., Postman for API Testing: A Comprehensive Guide for QA Testers., This is an open-access
article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution,
and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

ABSTRACT
The study’s focus has been the development of new approaches to the design of Augmentative and Alternative Communication
(AAC) systems and assistive technologies aimed at children with speech-language impairments. Furthermore, the impact of
these instruments on the outlined fields was analyzed. The research revealed that many advancements are practical, but some
issues persist, such as progress in access, cost and design considerations. AI and machine learning progress can provide excellent
opportunities for the development of these instruments also. However, further studies are necessary to understand the impacts of
such technologies on children and their inclusion in society in the long run. Such gaps in understanding require further research
and the related policy change.
Keywords: Augmentative Communication, Assistive Technologies, Speech Development, Technology Innovation,
Communication Impairments

1. Introduction implementation challenges. This report strives to present an

overall picture of the current state of children’s communication
Communication tools are key to helping fill the gap so children
tools, analyzing their capacity for future development.
with speech or language problems have a way to communicate
with the world. These tools are needed so that children with 2. Overview of Communication Impairments in
such disabilities can learn their cognitive, social, as well as Children
their academic skills and be included. Although such traditional
methods of communication have their place, they often do 2.1. Types of Speech and Language Impairments
not meet the diverse needs of children, particularly those with For children with communication impairments, engagement
more severe impairments6. It is therefore not surprising that the with peers, educators and family members can be radically
development of augmentative and alternative communication hindered. Common among these are delays in speech
(AAC) systems has been geared toward helping children who do development and difficulty with forming speech sounds or saying
not use words to express themselves. words clearly. Delayed development or environmental influence
The goal of this report is to try to track children’s and can be the cause of this delay9. However, in contrast, hearing
AAC systems progress if this is possible at all. Some kids with impairments cause difficulties in speech comprehension and
communication challenges have led better lives because of verbal communication on the one hand and children’s ability to
hearing aids, braille devices, screen readers and other assistive perceive sounds on the other hand. In addition, specific language
devices. Despite their promise, however, there are significant impairment (SLI) affects a child’s capacity to understand
barriers to their widespread adoption: the need for specialized ‘language structure, vocabulary and grammar’ which means that
training, accessibility and cost11. In this report, the effectiveness a child cannot express and understand ideas. Though diverse,
of these technologies is critically evaluated, assessing their these impairments have something in common, allowing for less
effect on children’s communication skills as well as their than effective communication and interaction with others.

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2.2. Impact on Development by 20% a year as they become integral in educational and
therapeutic settings3.
Speech and language impairments cast much wider
consequences than mere communication difficulties. Children 3.3 Benefits of AAC for Children
with these impairments socially suffer because they become
AAC systems are both profound and diverse for children
isolated and their inability to say what they want causes them
with communication impairments. AAC systems give children
to withdraw from interacting with peers. These children may
a chance to communicate more easily. This has a positive effect
develop delayed language, a critical component toward overall
on the day-to-day interaction between the teacher and the pupil,
cognitive development, such as problem-solving and abstract
as well as preparing the student to grow with more advanced
thinking, cognitively. The impact can be even more academic4.
linguistic structures to facilitate the growth of cognitive skills5.
Children with language disorders find it difficult to understand
instructional content, participate in classroom discussions and Research shows that children who access AAC devices are
complete written assignments; they are thus at a disadvantage. more likely to participate in the activities of group children
than children who do not have access to the same tools. Further,
2.3. Need for Assistive Technologies
AAC use in research is shown to be correlated with emotional
Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) regulation because children can articulate their emotions and
Technologies were designed to provide children with some their needs7.
other means of communication. These tools give children the
Additionally, AAC systems contribute to academic success
means to communicate themselves in ways that don’t rely on
by helping to enable children to actually participate and engage
speech or language. However, their adoption is yet limited
more fully in classroom activities. AAC devices make it possible
because of the associated cost, accessibility and the requirement
to participate in lessons, enhance comprehension, help with
for personalized approaches15. While the use of these tools
handwritten assignments and have contributions to the child’s
for improving communication skills and independence is
academic performance. According to a study from the American
indisputable, the urgent need for innovation continues and the
Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA) children who used
implementation sweeps far enough.
AAC systems in educational settings developed better language
3. Augmentative and Alternative Communication and raised literacy levels.
(AAC) Systems for Children 3.4. Challenges and Limitations
3.1 Definition and Importance: Despite the relatively bright side of AAC systems, there are
Critical tools to help people who have impairments nevertheless several obstacles and limitations that slow the wide
preventing them from speaking are augmentative and alternative use of them. Cost is also a big one. AAC devices, of which SGDs
communication (AAC) systems. The systems developed provide are the most high-tech, can be made so expensive (more than
alternative ways of expressing thoughts, needs and desires $10,000 per unit) that they remain inaccessible to many families
enabling children with communication issues to interact with and schools that cannot afford them.
the environment more efficiently10. AAC systems provide an Additionally, they are highly concerned with the accessibility
important bridge for children with severe speech disorders to self- of AAC devices. Specialized AAC devices (or the trained
expression so that they can participate socially, academically and personnel to appropriately use them) are not readily available in
emotionally. A recent study estimates that about 1 in 12 children many areas, especially in low-income or rural areas12. The gap
in the United States experience speech or language impairments in accessibility keeps many children with speech impairments
and with this in mind have to rely on accessible AAC solutions. from getting the help that they need. In addition, training is still
3.2. Types of AAC Systems a recurring challenge, as both caregivers and children have to
learn extensively in order to use these devices properly. This
3.2.1. Low-tech AAC: Simple, non-technological, non-digital training is provided by professionals, such as speech-language
communication tools, which we call low-tech AAC, include pathologists, however, these specialists are in short supply all
picture boards and communication books. But often these systems around the world.
use visual symbols or images of words or concepts that children
can point to or choose from, to communicate. Inexpensive and While these are big challenges, they are not insurmountable
simple to use, low-tech systems may be too simple and too fixed challenges. Reducing costs, increasing accessibility and
in their responses1. Specifically, they are very suitable for early improving training programs are essential to facilitate integration
interventions, for example, when technology may be scarce. of AAC systems into the lives of children most in need of them4.
However, overcoming these barriers will be ever more difficult
3.2.2. High-tech AAC: High-tech AAC systems include speech- to do, but luckily its importance in education and therapy is
generating devices (SGDs) and tablet-based applications. These becoming more widely recognised.
systems let children make synthesized speech using touch
screens or special switches. SGDs like the Dynavox or Accent 4. Innovations in Child-Friendly Assistive Technologies
devices are now a must-have resource for kids who are in severe 4.1. Hearing Aids
communication impairments where they can communicate
through pre-programmed messages or a set of personalized New hearing aids designed for children have been developed
vocabulary13. In addition to tablets, tablet-based applications, which are built on cutting-edge technology as well as user-
such as Proloquo2Go, make tablets themselves effective AAC centered design. Specially designed to fit the specific auditory
devices. Global demand for high-tech AAC systems is surging needs of young users, these devices feature improved clarity
with the global market for these devices predicted to increase and comfort of sound. Today’s hearing aids usually have

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adaptive technology that automatically incorporates for other improving children’s speech and language skills for those with
environments, from classrooms to outdoor spaces13. Early speech and language delays. For instance, applications driven
intervention using hearing aids can most dramatically boost by AI such as Leka Inc. are already being used to help children
children with hearing impairments’ learning and ability to with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) learn communication
communicate. The devices are important in aiding language skills using interactive play in the therapeutic setting. While
acquisition, according to the National Institute on Deafness these technologies are in their infancy, there is great potential
and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) approximately for their adoption to revolutionize assistive device technology
2 to 3 children out of 1,000 born in the U.S. have detectable for children, to allow new ways for them to learn, communicate
hearing loss11. A review of the studies suggests that children with and interact.
hearing loss who begin using hearing aids early tend to develop
better speech, language and may exhibit language development
5. Critical Evaluation of the Effectiveness of these Tools
approaching normal by the age of five. 5.1. Effectiveness in Real-World Settings
4.2. Braille Devices The AAC system and assistive technology have become
beneficial for children with impairments in enhancing their
Braille devices for children with visual impairments have
communication. Case studies, meanwhile, have shown extremely
evolved so much that they can now really learn, communicate
good communication skill improvement in children using ‘high
and are easily accessible. Traditional braille was written on paper,
tech’ (speech-generating devices, SGDs). For example, 72% of
hands manually, making it less accessible. But with the advent
children using SGDS achieved significant gains in speech output
of digital braille devices, there’s a more interactive and dynamic
as well as social interaction6.
way to learn. Devices that children use, like the BrailleNote
and Braille Sense, which is a touch-sensitive display, kids have 5.2. User Experience and Feedback
braille books and worksheets and read and write braille3. As
Parents and especially children have been giving positive
people with vision loss amount to over 39 million worldwide,
feedback and this is creating a lot of communication. Although
of which 8 million are children, braille technology has grown
there is variation, 60% of parents are satisfied through initial
in the global market. The World Health Organisation (WHO)
trials and 40% ask about long-term engagement and device
report estimates that there are more than 1.4 million children
portability. For example, a study found that 72% of children
with visual impairments. Braille devices not only provide an
using SGDS made significant gains in speech output as well
educational benefit for these children, but they also allow for
as social interaction8. There are these technologies enabling
independent communication and therefore, play a critical part in
integration into educational settings, which both support social
integration into the social world.
and academic growth.
4.3. Screen Readers
5.3. Limitations
Screen readers have become essential tools for nonvisual and/
Effectiveness is hampered by technical constraints: device
or cognitively impaired children. These are software programs
malfunction; mismatch with other tools; incompatibilities. As
which convert on-screen text to synthesized speech so that
well, there are still financial barriers that exist, as advanced
children may access digital content, including books, websites
devices cost so much that families cannot afford them. In
and educational apps. The integration of screen readers with
addition, there are not enough personalized solutions for
mainstream educational tools has often been transformative.
children with different needs, meaning it is difficult to roll out
JAWS (Job Accessible With Speech) and VoiceOver on Apple
these technologies more widely11.
devices enable students to engage with curriculum materials
independently, opening up educational materials to be used by 6. Future Directions and Recommendations
more students14. For example, in its 2020 study, the American
6.1. Emerging Technologies
Foundation for the Blind found that 64% of students with visual
impairment used screen readers to complete their academic work With the burgeoning use of technology like artificial
and that this had both positive effects on academic performance intelligence (AI), machine learning and augmented reality (AR)
and self-esteem. However, efforts are still hindered when and the recent interest in brain control technology and assistive
ensuring every educational platform can work with these tools technology like AAC systems, it is clear the future of these
because accessibility features are not consistently used in digital technologies should be very promising. Adaptive systems, one
learning environments. that learns from user interactions can become another kind of
AI and enable communication efficiency9. AR, furthermore, can
4.4. Technological Advancements
produce immersive environments in which children are exposed
Recently, child-friendly assistive technologies introduced to language practice through context. While these technologies
wearable devices and AI-powered tools as groundbreaking are exciting, to broadly implement them they will need to be
innovations. Real-time communication and health monitoring for integrated well with existing systems.
children with a range of impairments have now been supported
6.2. Recommendations for Improvement
by the use of wearables, including smart watches and hearing
aids with embedded sensors. In addition to connecting children In order to achieve the highest possible impact of AAC
with caregivers, these devices are also used to continuously tools, we first must improve accessibility, affordability and
assess health indicators such as heart rate and activity levels, a customization. Recent data indicates that there are upwards
tremendous benefit for children with mobility impairments or of 25 % of families unable to purchase advanced devices
chronic health conditions2. Like speech recognition software due to a family financial barrier. Customization of devices in
and language development apps powered by AI, these tools are order to serve diverse needs is necessary to enable long-term

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