Assistive Technology for Speech Disabilities

Assistive technology is an essential tool for people with speech disabilities. These devices provide ways for people to communicate without the use of an interpreter. Becoming familiar with assistive technology increases your ability to recognize and respond to an assistive technology user.

• Assistive Technology can be high or low tech.

Types

• Assistive technology devices can include simple pictures and symbols on paper, electronic switches or computer-generated speech-output devices.

Function

• The function of speech-assistive technology is to help individuals produce or understand speech.

Price

• The price can range from free up to thousands of dollars, depending on the complexity of the device.

Funding

• Assistive technology can be funded by individual families or private and state insurances. According to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, all U.S. public schools will fund assistive technology when it is needed for a child, ages three to 21 years, to benefit his education.

Training

• Speech-language pathologists can train a person to use communication-related assistive technology. An occupational therapist may be consulted about how to address physical needs.

Incidence

• According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), approximately 7.5 million people in the United States have trouble using their voices.