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Electronic voice output for children with verbal apraxia

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Project Overview

Children with congenital verbal apraxia may often understand spoken and written language and may be socially motivated to communicate, but are physically unable to speak. Because there are few, if any, treatments for this condition, children with this disorder are occasionally taught to communicate by using touch-activated voice output devices, which produce spoken words elicited by pressing buttons or touchscreens. However, for toddlers with severe verbal apraxia, commercially available touch-activated voice output systems present several logistical drawbacks. This project is to equip a wearable arm band with electronics to emit spoken words on demand. The client for this project is a toddler who presently communicates by selectively tapping on a list of 30 words printed on an armband that currently has no voice-output functions. The toddler would benefit from having his communication armband design equipped with voice-output capability. This will act as a wearable, fixed display voice-output communication device. The weight and bulk of the design solution must be low enough for the toddler to tolerate as a wearable item.

Team Picture

Team members from left to right: Sami McCarthy and Kaitlyn Laning
Team members from left to right: Sami McCarthy and Kaitlyn Laning

Contact Information

Team Members

  • Samantha McCarthy - Team Leader & BSAC
  • Kaitlyn Laning - Communicator & BWIG & BPAG

Advisor and Client

  • Mitchell Tyler - Advisor
  • Mrs. Tiffany Glass - Client

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