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Hi … Here we are again in your Inbox! There is always so much I want to share with you that each Spectronics Emailed Update seems to get bigger and bigger! Bear with me on this bumper edition – cos we are coming into the Christmas/New Year break and I don’t want to miss out on telling you all that I can before we all go into Christmas mode. First up, we are sad to let you know that Sue Owen, the first Speech Pathologist to join Spectronics, will be leaving us in mid-December to pursue other directions (including the exciting new role of being a grandmother for the first time). She has done an excellent job of providing support to users, and supporters of users, of the speech generating devices available from Spectronics and we will miss her valuable contribution. Sue is available on phone (07) 3808 6833 or on sue@spectronicsinoz.com if you want to contact her before she moves on. And you may notice a new feature built into this edition of the Emailed Update … we have included MP3 Audio files of each article’s text for you to listen to – saving you having to read through all the text for yourself! We used the Speech Maker function in the clever textHELP Read&Write GOLD software program to create these files. Click on the “Lee” icon to hear a male voice or the “Karen” icon to hear a female voice reading out the text in a clear Australian accent. (Lee is better on the New Zealand ear we have been told!) If you have a portable MP3 Player (like an iPod), you can even download the files and listen to the Spectronics Emailed Update as you are on the move. Cool, eh? The Spectronics team will be visiting Tassie at the end of this month. Many of you have already signed up for our free workshops – but if you want to know more about the sessions we are running, visit www.spectronicsinoz.com/downloads/flyers/Spectronics_Tasmania_workshops.pdf for a copy of our Tassie workshops flyer and Registration Form. We will also be at the big Pathways 8 Conference to follow in Hobart. Jane Farrall, AAC Support Services Manager from Melbourne, will be joining the Spectronics New Zealand team at the Central North Regional GSE Conference in Hamilton in early December too. They look forward to seeing you then if you’ll be there! Cheers for now |
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Inclusive Learning Technologies® Conference 2008 - Call for papers now open!
As I mentioned in the last newsletter, plans are progressing quickly for the next Inclusive Learning Technologies® Conference to be hosted by Spectronics from May 12th to 15th, 2008. We have booked the stunning Marriott Hotel in Surfers Paradise in Queensland for the event and have now confirmed that both Dr. Caroline Musselwhite and Kelly Fonner will be our Keynote Presenters. This conference focuses specifically on “inclusive learning technologies” – those technologies designed to support people with disabilities and/or learning difficulties. It includes sessions looking at these technologies in the following three different interest streams:
We are currently making plans for the conference program and invite you all to consider submitting a presentation about use of technologies to support people with disabilities and/or students with learning difficulties! Please visit the Conference website at www.spectronicsinoz.com/library.asp?article=24282 to submit your proposal online. All proposals will be considered and initial decisions re the program content will be made in early to mid 2007. Please put your thinking cap on to work out how you, or your team, could be a part of our Conference program. We have already received 10 proposals! So we are very excited by the level of interest and hope to receive many, many more from which to build our final program! |
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Get ready to tango! Introducing the next generation of AAC ...
Exclusively from Spectronics in Australia, New Zealand and SE Asia!  The tango! is the first Speech Generating Device (SGD) to incorporate the vast power of consumer electronics and many insights from the worlds of mass media. The tango! features the fieldÀâ„s first built-in camera, voice morphing technology and state-of-the-art sound design that allows voices to be heard even in noisy environments. The device is also very appealing to look at, reflecting the belief that communication begins before any words are spoken. The tango! features a new approach to communication, called Language Streams, developed in conjunction with many of the fieldÀâ„s leading speech professionals, including Pati King-DeBaun, Dr. Karen Erickson, Dr. Caroline Musselwhite, and Linda Burkhart. This innovative structure allows people to have efficient access to thousands of useful phrases, while still allowing for word-by-word sentence generation and spelling for times when more specific language is required. Led by its CEO, Richard Ellenson, an advertising industry veteran whose son has cerebral palsy, Blink Twice (manufacturer of the tango! device) reached out to many other companies to partner in the creation of a thoughtful, forward-thinking communications platform that would help build not only sentences, but also relationships. The partnerships with these companies will bring new options and energy to children with special needs. For example, a SpongeBob SquarePants Language Stream will provide a perfect social icebreaker for young communicators. How cool is it for a non-verbal child to be able to pull a crowd with his/her SpongeBob voice! What is the other stuff we like at Spectronics about the tango!??
Comments from the field? The tango’s first official outing in our part of the world was the ARATA conference in Perth last month. We enjoyed a few of these comments from visitors to our stand from Australia, New Zealand and Singapore.
Want to learn more? Visit our website at www.spectronicsinoz.com/product.asp?product=24191 for Australia or www.spectronics.co.nz/product.asp?product=24191 for New Zealand. |
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Will using AAC stop a child from developing speech?
A very common question we are asked at Spectronics is, “What is the impact of using Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) on a childÀâ„s speech?” In particular, “Does AAC replace the need for a child to speak?” We have found some very useful resources in this area and thought they might be of interest to you too. Research has demonstrated that AAC does not interfere with a childÀâ„s ability to develop speech and, in fact, that it can improve it by providing a good solid model for the child. In addition to this, AAC is able to lessen frustration levels by providing the child with a means of communicating while their speech develops. The YAACK website provides an overview of the impact of AAC on the development of verbal communication and you can read more at http://aac.unl.edu/yaack/b2.html For those of you who would like a little more information in the area try reading the article written by Cynthia Cress and Christine Marven (2003) called “Common Questions About AAC Services In Early Intervention“. Click here to download a copy of this article. One powerful line from the article is as follows … “Children tend to use the quickest, most effective, and most accessible means available to communicate their wants and needs (Mirenda, 1998). Speech is inherently portable, flexible, and individualised, and is the most likely communication method to achieve a response from a wide variety of listeners.” So … if a child has access to speech to communicate – they will use it as their first preference … every time! |
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Eye control of communication and computing - that really works! Eye control enables users with significant physical disabilities to communicate, interact and to control computer functions using only their eyes. This brings new opportunities and improved quality of life for users who previously relied on slow and cumbersome alternatives for their communication and computing, such as manual scanning systems or head-mounted pointing devices. MyTobii P10 is a portable eye-controlled communication device. Everything, including a 15” touchscreen, eye control device and Windows XP computer with integrated speakers, is built into one unit. Just connect to a power source, such as a wall socket, power wheelchair or separate battery. The device can be mounted for use at a desk, wheelchair, bed or anywhere suitable for the user. MyTobii eye control works even when the user has involuntary movement as a result of cerebral palsy or other disabilities. It also works even for those who wear glasses or have many other characteristics that limit the effectiveness of older eye control systems. My TobiiÀâ„s unique ability to deal with large head movements opens up eye control to user groups who have been unable to use other systems. A wide range of partner software has been MyTobii enabled, which gives the user effective eye control with leading communication programs. Tobii partners include VS Communicator by Viking Software and Speaking Dynamically Pro by Mayer-Johnson LLC. The MyTobii Direct Control input allows users to just gaze and click, without using a mouse pointer. This makes eye control as an interaction technique much faster and easier to use by avoiding the distraction and stress involved in controlling the mouse inside programs that were never designed to be eye controlled – allowing them to be much more efficient for longer periods of time. (With MyTobii, it also is possible to control the mouse pointer with the eyes to access any Windows application, although this will always be more cumbersome than using the MyTobii Direct Control.) To learn more about this very exciting and incredibly clever technology advance, please visit our web at www.spectronicsinoz.com/browse.asp?cat=24466 for Australia or www.spectronics.co.nz/browse.asp?cat=24466 for New Zealand. We will also be visiting Sydney on December 5th and 6th and Melbourne on December 7th and 8th to demonstrate the MyTobii P10 (with a representative from the Tobii Technology company in Sweden). If you are interested in being part of the free presentations, please contact Barbara Landsberg on barbara@spectronicsinoz.com to enquire about sessions and times available. Trials of the MyTobii P10 will be available from early 2007 onwards. Please contact Jane Farrall on email jane@spectronicsinoz.com or phone (03) 9848 4812 to enquire about available loan dates. |
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Co:Writer Topic Dictionaries for free download
Co:Writer SOLO is a powerful word prediction program – suggesting words that a student is attempting to type with great accuracy. Most word prediction programs have problems predicting accurately if the student is unable to correctly type the first letter of a word. Co:Writer, however, using its Flexible Spelling feature, will predict some words accurately even if ALL letters are incorrectly typed! Another way of greatly improving the accuracy of prediction and giving students access to complex, topic-specific words, is to turn on Topic Dictionaries relevant to the topic being written about. You can create your own Topic Dictionaries (and in our next newsletter, we will send you a guide on how to do this). Alternatively, you can take advantage of the work done by the Don Johnston Inc. team in creating a wide range of ready-made Topic Dictionaries for Co:Writer – available for free download from their web at www.donjohnston.com/downloads/breng/brengtopdic.htm There are many Topic Dictionaries available under the following headings:
Some useful entries include Topic Dictionaries for popular fiction titles like:
And under the Geography and Travel section, there is a 1400 word “Australia” Topic Dictionary. This was developed in conjunction with Australian teachers, and includes words and phrases for writing about Australian places, people, history and culture. Remember that these Topic Dictionaries can also be transferred to a Neo portable word processor for writing on the move too! You simply need to have the Co:Writer for Neo program installed on the Neo and transfer the Topic Dictionary down from your computer. See our next newsletter for a guide as to how to do this too! |
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Start-to-Finish Literacy Starters
 It is always a challenge for educators to find motivating and high interest reading materials for older students who are struggling or reluctant readers. Even harder to find appropriate materials for older learners who are at emergent stages of reading. To provide these students with meaningful reading experiences, classrooms need a variety of reading choices. Many educators develop their own printed or electronic reading materials that support student interests or curriculum topics. However, creating individualised readers for each student, although fun, can be time consuming. The new Start-to-Finish Literacy Starters Series offers an expanded collection of high interest reading resources for beginning, struggling and reluctant readers at middle primary through to secondary school. These are great additions for the school library, support room or individual classroom and provide a continuum of support. The resources are ready to use, but can be configured to suit students at different ability levels, reducing the need for teachers to modify materials. They can be used to supplement existing classroom resources, to support curriculum activities and provide opportunities for self-selected reading. Ten topics are currently available in packs which contain three paperback books, a CD of computer-based reading material, printed vocabulary cards and many ready-made teacher resources on an additional CD. Some of the titles focus on topics covered in the US curriculum (as they are developed by the US-based Don Johnston company). However, there are plenty of titles to choose from that could easily be incorporated into curriculum activities in both Australia and New Zealand. Generic titles like Volcanoes, Recycling, Plants and the Solar System for example are universal topics that are covered in many primary and secondary schools. What comes with each Start-to-Finish Literacy Starters Pack?
Penny McCulloch, Spectronics’ Special Education and Learning Difficulties Consultant, reviewed the Start-to-Finish Literacy Starters Series recently and recommended them as a great support to ensure beginning readers are motivated to gain knowledge and enjoyment through reading. Click here to download the PDF version of Penny’s Start-to-Finish Series Product Review – or visit www.spectronicsinoz.com/library.asp?article=24731 to view it online. |
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Test of Aided-Communication Symbol Performance (TASP)
Everywhere we go, we see symbols! But how do we know that the symbols and activities we choose will meet the needs of individual clients? What size should our cards, boards or devices be? How many symbols do we place on the page at a time? What kind of words do we use – nouns, verbs or adjectives? What other vocabulary does the client know and understand? Can they use more than one symbol to make a sentence? The Test of Aided-Communication Symbol Performance (TASP) can help to answer these questions! It contains a number of simple step-by-step tests that enable you to determine a client’s strengths and weaknesses in using symbols to communicate. With this information, you can then make better decisions about the symbols and communication systems needed. All clients can be assessed in a consistent and comprehensive manner – no guesswork and much less trial and error!! The TASP can be used with children or adults who would benefit from a communication board or a speech generating device. It does require that they can point directly to symbols throughout testing and would require some modification for clients with physical disabilities who are unable to point. The manual provides some case examples of people using speech generating devices to complete the TASP. Amanda Hartmann, one of Spectronics’ Speech Pathologists, who also works part-time in her own private Speech Pathology clinic, evaluated the TASP and offers the following comments. “I recently completed the TASP on a young client I am working with. At the end of the assessment these are some of the questions I was able to answer: The TASP is a great starting point for determining the individual needs of clients who are potential symbol users. Please contact me directly on amanda@spectronicsinoz.com should you have any questions about the TASP.” Click here to download the PDF version of Amanda’s full Review of TASP – or visit www.spectronicsinoz.com/library.asp?article=24392 to view it online. |
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Control of the computer by mouth movements alone
 With INTEGRAMOUSE, users can operate the computer solely by mouth. The slightest movement of their lips will control the mouthpiece and thus move the mouse pointer dynamically across the screen. By merely sipping and puffing through the mouthpiece, users can trigger left and right mouse clicks, double clicks, as well as drag and drop actions as with any standard mouse.
Ability Technology, in Sydney, conducted a comprehensive comparison of Mouth Controlled Joysticks in September 2006. They compared the INTEGRAMOUSE with the QuadJoy and Jouse2. While the INTEGRAMOUSE was found to be more expensive than the other two options, the review noted that: “In relation to performance each of the devices has their good points. INTEGRAMOUSE is superior to the Quadjoy and Jouse2 when looking at the responsiveness of movement. It also gave the best feedback when moving the cursor which enabled more controlled movements.” Click here to download a copy of the report or contact Spectronics if you would like a printed copy of the report posted to you. |
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Other useful stuff to know about!
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You have received this newsletter because you told us at Spectronics that you would like us to keep you up to date with technology changes. If you no longer wish to receive this newsletter, click on the following link to unsubscribe: http://www.spectronicsinoz.com/email/unsubscribe_me.asp or click on the following link to change your subscription details: http://www.spectronicsinoz.com/email/edit_me.asp Please feel free to forward this newsletter or sections of it on to your colleagues. You are also free to post it up onto the web. All we ask is that you acknowledge the source as Spectronics Email Updates and list our contact details below with any posting. Past copies of our email updates can also be found at http://www.spectronicsinoz.com/library.asp?library=email_updates
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