Article

Pilot study to assess the effect of augmentative and alternative
communication technology to enhance language development in children who are deaf
or hard-of-hearing. METHODS: Five children ages 5-10 years with
permanent bilateral hearing loss who were identified with language
underperformance participated in an individualized 24-week structured program
using the application TouchChat WordPower on iPads((R)). Language samples were
analyzed for changes in mean length of utterance, vocabulary words and mean turn
length. Repeated measures models assessed change over time. RESULTS: The baseline
median mean length of utterance was 2.41 (range 1.09-6.63; mean 2.88) and
significantly increased over time (p = 0.002) to a median of 3.68 at final visit
(range 1.97-6.81; mean 3.62). At baseline, the median total number of words
spoken per language sample was 251 (range 101-458), with 100 (range 36-100)
different words spoken. Total words and different words significantly increased
over time (beta = 26.8 (7.1), p = 0.001 for total words; beta = 8.0 (2.7), p =
0.008 for different words). Mean turn length values also slightly increased over
time. CONCLUSIONS: Using augmentative and alternative communication technology on
iPads((R)) shows promise in supporting rapid language growth among elementary
school-age children who are deaf or hard-of-hearing with language
underperformance.

Langue : ANGLAIS