Emerging technologies in augmentative and alternative communication: restorative and compensatory approaches to acquired disorders of communication

Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) technologies are underutil ized in the treatment of acquired communication disorders for a variety of reasons. A potential AAC user may prefer to regain lost skills rather than have to replace them with a less natural means of communicating. The techno logy may be rejected because of its appearance, its inefficiencies in suppo rting typical communicative exchanges, or the complexities of its use. Furt her, many individuals who have sustained injury to their brains exhibit hig hly idiosyncratic language disturbances requiring specialized applications of technology that simply do not exist. This review article examines severa l current and emerging technologies with potential to impact the often comp lex cognitive and linguistic sequelae of neurological injury. This review b egins with a synopsis of progress in areas such as speech input and output, natural language processing, interface technologies, and graphics that mak e consideration of a new generation of devices possible. This is followed b y a discussion of specific aspects of communication breakdown that might be minimized or eliminated through applications of technology that address re storation of communicative function as well as compensation for the loss of function. Lastly, the review addresses the conceptual and attitudinal shif ts that must occur if AAC technologies are to be useful to and accepted by individuals with acquired communicative disorders and their families. The k ey to successful application of emerging technology rests with language res earchers, clinicians and consumers; they must provide guidance to product d evelopers so that new device designs address communication needs in effecti ve and acceptable ways.