Especially
if her hands are getting weaker, she may wish to start to think about a
transition to eyegaze. As Margaret points out, larger words with
increased space in between but some low tech comm. boards based on
categories of needs might be helpful for basic needs.
For
spelling, how about a large font ETRAN board? (Picking the color, then
picking the letter idea?) http://www.cogain.org/wiki/File:Esa_interacting.jpg
. She would need to look at the group of letters that her desired
letter is in, and then at the corresponding color. While this is
traditionally used for eye gaze and perhaps she needs to use it that way;
it occurs to me that she could potentially use her hands the same
way. While
it also sounds like it would be premature to use partner assisted scanning,
I would mention that as an option in the event that her motor function
deteriorates further and I gaze does not work. Ed
Hitchcock OT/L Technology
Center Rehabilitation
Institute of Chicago From:
xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Margaret
Cotts Hi
Alisa- 1.
What
about using a low tech keyguard? A keyguard might her stabilize her
hand. Buddy
Speak has a pre-made one, but the space for the letters might not be large
enough… http://www.buddyspeak.com/xcart/customer/home.php?cat=248 He
could also probably get a larger keyguard cut by a plastic store, if it
seems like it would be helpful. He could probably even make a mock up
out of stiff thick cardboard, just to try it out. 2.
I
appreciate that they can’t afford anything expensive, but if a
keyguard is useful to her, it might allow her to use something like a iPad.
(There is a company which makes them specifically for the
iPad)> 3.
Another
high tech option would be to use a true 9-pin joystick (not a mouse
emulator). This means she could only travel on an X/Y axis.
In
terms of the diplopia- it might be useful to have a fair amount of space in
between each letter. Also, to experiment with contrast (i.e. white
letters on a black background). Hope
this helps.
From:
xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Alisa
Brownlee Hello fellow AT
professionals, Below is an email I received this
afternoon. Anyone have any out of the box ideas for this
family? Thanks, Alisa Alisa Brownlee, ATP From: Vlahos Ioannis
[mailto:xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] Dear
Ms Brownlee, I have found your
e mail while searching for information about augmentative communication and
I am addressing you ,hoping to get some advice and
information. We live in
Greece, island of Crete, my wife 58 yrs old., was diagnosed 5 years ago
with ALS (bulblar form). Two years ago she underwent tracheostomy, and she
cannot speak since then. For more than a year She was able to write on a
board as her hands were not affected. However , In the past 8 months her
condition worsened and she cannot write anymore-or she does , but we cannot
read her writing. I have made for
her a large board with printed capital letters of the alphabet , so that by
pointing at the letters we can know what she wants to say.
Unfortunately her
vision is not so good (diplopia) so when she points to a letter her hand
keeps shaking and she ends up pointing to a different
(neighbohring ) letter than the one she intends to
show. This makes
communication very difficult and requires a lot of time and patience and
most of the times we cannot make up what she wants to tell
us. Would you have
something to suggest and advice us for helping and making communication
possible? I know there
are computers . but she cannot use one , because of the eye and the
hand problem. Whatever the
apparatus proposed, it has to have large letters (not a regular keyboard)
and be easy to look at or touch. I would
appreciate any information you can give
us. we could not
afford a very expensive apparatus, so a rahter simple solution would be the
most advicable. Thanking you in
advance sincerely,
Yannis Vlahos
Eva's husband and
caregiver. |
