Use of Speech-Generating Devices: In Support of Natural Speech

Doreen Blischak; Linda Lombardino; Alice Dyson

doi:10.1080/0743461032000056478

Use of Speech-Generating Devices: In Support of Natural Speech

Augment Altern Commun. 2003;19(1):29-35. doi: 10.1080/0743461032000056478.

Authors

Doreen Blischak¹, Linda Lombardino¹, Alice Dyson¹

Affiliation

¹ a University of Florida 50 Dauer Hall P.O. Box 117420 Gainesville FL 32611 USA.

PMID: 28443791
DOI: 10.1080/0743461032000056478

Abstract

One of the most frequently cited concerns from parents, teachers, and other caregivers, upon hearing a recommendation for the use of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) is, 'Will its use interfere with natural speech?' Reports of positive effects of AAC use, particularly that of speech output, are increasingly available, whereas evidence to support negative consequences of AAC use has not been widely reported. In this paper, possible explanations for increases in natural speech production associated with AAC use are explored, along with a discussion of clinical implications and future research.

Keywords: Augmentative And Alternative Communication; Digitized Speech; Speech Production; Speech-generating Device; Synthetic Speech; Voice Output Communication Aid.