Speech Language Pathologists

The Speech Language Pathologists (SLP) Module is scheduled to be released in a future version of iCanSpeak currently scheduled for September 2019. We are open to suggestions and requests.

SLP will make use of a software platform from Apple named CareKit which will allow for secure data sharing between a user and a Speech Language Pathologist.

SLP will allow a Speech Language Pathologist to create inteventions and assign them to a user, then view the results of those exercises. The system has the ability for data to be securely collected and will make office sessions much more effective for both the user and Speech Language Pathologist.

Since the data can be collected and held anonymously, it presents the opportunity for researchers to see the effects of certain types of treatment without have to recruit the study participants. More on that later.

Background

Security

The iCanSpeak SLP system make use of a secure web based data base to allow data to be shared between an SLP and multiple participants. In order to access the system, a login is required.

At this point in time the system is in a closed beta test. To obtain credentials while the system is in testing, please contact us.

Overview for SLPs

When an SLP has signed in, they will get an overview of their participants, and will be able to selectively view them by their status.

List of Participants

The list of ‘All’ Participants with show both Active and Inactive participants (in red), as well as the number of interventions and assignments for each participant.

Overview for a Participant

An SLP can expand any participant to see an overview of their interventions and assignments organized a number of different ways.

Breathing

Introduction 

Breathing is an essential component of speech, as all speech sounds are vibrations that occur in air. The speech system stores air, pushes air through the vocal apparatus, and gives this stream of air patterns of vibrations, which we interpret as individual speech sounds. In order for these sounds to be properly produced, a constant stream of air is required.

Physiology 

To initiate and sustain an air stream that can be used for speech, the following components must be used:

• The lungs, which provide storage for the air

• Muscles in the chest and abdomen, which drive air up through the windpipe

• The larynx, where the vocal folds are located, which vibrate with the air stream to produce speech sounds

• The vocal tract, which includes the tongue, soft palate, jaw and lips, are used to shape the vocal tract for different sounds

Interventions

Breathing is one of the first interventions that is used as part of a session to establish air flow. The length of the breathing segments, and how may should be used.

Assignments

The SLP can create breathing assignments for a participant. When the participant carries out the assignment they will be guided for the amount of time in each segment, as well as the overall timing for the assignment.

The breathing exercise in iCanSpeak is designed to practice slow, deep, and full breaths, which are essential for fluent speech. The user can set the duration of their breaths (ex: 3 seconds in, hold for 3 seconds, 3 seconds out), and the number of times they would like to repeat this exercise.

Shaping

The Shaping Techniques module provides a series of exercises that can be done with a Speech Language Pathologist to help speakers understand the techniques required for certain types of sounds.

The SLP module has the ability for creating interventions and assignments based on phonemes, single syllable sounds, multi syllable sounds and phrases. These interventions can be assigned over a number of days for the participant to carry out.

Reading Techniques

Introduction 

The Choral reading exercise allows a user to have the iOS device speak a sentence or paragraph along with them. This choral reading effect is similar to what is used in Live, though not using spontaneous speech. The speed of speaking can be adjusted.

Interventions

An SLP can create interventions where a participant can choral read at sentence or set of sentences.

Assignments