Using MINSPEAK: A Case Study of a Preschool Child With Complex Communication Needs
By Mathisen, Bernice; Arthur-Kelly, Michael; Kidd, Jenny; Nissen, Chantelle; Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology, Vol. 4, No. 5, pp. 376-383Publication Date: September 2009
Case study explored the effectiveness of a speech generating device (SGD) to improve language and communication skills in a preschool child with complex communication needs (CCN). Participant was a girl aged 3 years and 10 months with cerebral palsy and severely limited expressive language skills. As part of the 16-week intervention, the participant and her augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) team - mother as primary caregiver, educators and speech-language pathologist - received training on a SGD, the Vanguard II, featuring a dynamic display and synthesized speech and powered with software offering a choice of 84 sequenced Unity/MINSPEAK icons. MINSPEAK is defined as an iconic language system which can be started with preschool children and does not require a pre-existing level of literacy. Intervention sessions were videotaped and pre- and post-intervention tests were completed to assess language comprehension and expression and emergent literacy. The intervention used a topic-based process where each topic selected was directly relevant to a designated MINSPEAK icon targeted with specific core and fringe vocabulary using a book and supporting play activity followed by free play. Post-intervention results showed participant gains in the areas of turn taking with the SGD, attention and self-confidence, verbal utterances, and intelligibility. Post-scores in receptive language were within the age-appropriate range. The authors conclude that MINSPEAK may be a promising option for enhancing emergent language and literacy development in young children with CCN.
Assistive Products Discussed: UNITY
MINSPEAK FIRMWARE TT-1M, LT-1M
VANGUARD PLUS
Published by: Taylor & Francis, Limited (Website:http://taylorandfrancis.org)
International Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (Web Site: http://www.isprm.org )
