Mobile Multimedia for Speech and Language Therapy

Abstract

Aphasia is a speech disorder usually caused by stroke or head injury (Armstrong; 1993). Related communication difficulties can include word finding; speaking; listening; writing; and using numbers (FAST; 2004). It is most commonly acquired by people at middle age or older; as a result of stroke or other brain injury. Speech and language therapy is “the process of enabling people to communicate to the best of their ability” (RCSLT; 2004). Treatment; advice; and support are provided based on assessment and monitoring activities that conventionally are carried out in face-to-face sessions. This chapter considers issues in providing technology to continue to support aphasic patients between therapy sessions; through multimedia applications for drill-andpractice in vocalizing speech sounds. Existing paper therapy aids are generally designed to be used under the guidance of a therapist. Multimedia applications enable people with aphasia to practise spoken language skills independently between sessions; and mobile multimedia speech and language therapy devices offer still greater promise for blending treatment and support into an aphasic person’s daily life.