Telerehabilitation in speech-language therapy as exemplified by aphasic patients. A research review

The present paper discusses application of telerehabilitation services in speech therapy management in aphasic adults. The author presents theoretical issues related to the specifics of therapeutic effects of at a distance approach and indicates its recipients, focusing on neurological patients with language difficulties. Further on, the author reviews the selected studies on telerehabilitation used in diagnoses and therapies of aphasic speech disorders.The present paper discusses application of telerehabilitation services in speech therapy management in aphasic adults. The author presents theoretical issues related to the specifics of therapeutic effects of at a distance approach and indicates its recipients, focusing on neurological patients with language difficulties. Further on, the author reviews the selected studies on telerehabilitation used in diagnoses and therapies of aphasic speech disorders

The Oneiric Reality of Electronic Scents

This paper investigates the ‘oneiric’ dimension of scent, by suggesting a new design process that can be worn as a fashion accessory or integrated in textile technologies, to subtly alter reality and go beyond our senses. It fuses wearable ‘electronic scent’ delivery systems with pioneering biotechnologies as a ground-breaking ‘science fashion’ enabler. The purpose is to enhance wellbeing by reaching a day‐dream state of being through the sense of smell. The sense of smell (or olfaction) is a chemical sense and part of the limbic system which regulates emotion and memory within the brain. The power of scent makes content extremely compelling by offering a heightened sense of reality which is intensified by emotions such as joy, anger and fear. Scent helps us appreciate all the senses as we embark on a sensory journey unlike any other; it enhances mood, keeps us in the moment, diverts us from distractions, reduces boredom and encourages creativity. This paper highlights the importance of smell, the forgotten sense, and also identifies how we as humans have grown to underuse our senses. It endeavours to show how the reinvention of our sensory faculties is possible through advances in biotechnology. It introduces the new ‘data senses’ as a wearable sensory platform that triggers and fine tunes the senses with fragrances. It puts forward a new design process that is currently being developed in clothing elements, jewellery and textile technologies, offering a new method to deliver scent electronically and intelligently in fashion and everyday consumer products. It creates a personal ‘scent wave’, around the wearer, to allow the mind to wander, to give a deeper sense of life or ‘lived reality’ (verses fantasy), a new found satisfaction and confidence, and to reach new heights of creativity. By combining biology with wearable technologies, we propose a biotechnological solution that can be translated into sensory fashion elements. This is a new trend in 21st century ‘data sensing’, based on holographic biosensors that sense the human condition, aromachology (the science of the effect of fragrance and behaviour), colour-therapy, and smart polymer science. The use of biosensors in the world of fashion and textiles, enables us to act on visual cues or detect scent signals and rising stress levels, allowing immediate information to hand. An ‘oneiric’ mood is triggered by a spectrum of scents which is encased in a micro-computerised ‘scent‐cell’ and integrated into clothing elements or jewellery. When we inhale an unexpected scent, it takes us by surprise; the power of fragrance fills us with pleasurable ripples of multi‐sensations and dream‐like qualities. The aromas create a near trance‐like experience that induces a daydream state of (immediate) satisfaction, or a ‘revived reality’ in our personal scent bubble of reality. The products and jewellery items were copyrighted and designed by Slim Barrett and the technology input was from EG Technology and Epigem

Establishing Content and Face Validity of an Assessment to Evaluate the Attitudes, Self-efficacy, and Knowledge of Pre-professional Students Related to Assistive Technology for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (asd)

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of the study was to create an online assessment in order to better understand the knowledge, attitudes, and self-efficacy that pre-professional students have in the fields of assistive technology and ASD and establish content and face validity for this assessment.METHOD. 12 content experts, both professors and practitioners, within the fields of occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech language pathology, and special education, as well as experts in autism spectrum disorder and assistive technology, participated in the content validation process. A total of 16 students within these disciplines completed the assessment with pilot data gathered and provided feedback on face validity. RESULTS. The content validity index (.939) of the final version of the assessment indicates strong content validity. Data gathered from the face validation portion of the study indicate that pre-professional students see value in participating in the assessment and would be open to completing it again. Reported pilot data suggest the majority of pre-professional students believe their profession plays a role in providing assistive technology services to children with ASD (81.25%). The majority of participants also have demonstrated knowledge in this area, with all participants selecting the correct response for 25% of the knowledge items. CONCLUSIONS. Results of this study support continued investigation regarding the potential use of this assessment as an outcome measure for pre-professional programs and/or federal training programs. The use of this assessment on a larger scale may guide content provided in coursework or continuing education opportunities, with the ultimate goal to increase the quality of service provision for children with ASD

Future directions for ICT in aphasia therapy for older adults: enhancing current practices through interdisciplinary perspectives

Growing numbers of older adults requiring aphasia therapy create challenges for the health care system. Information and communication technology (ICT) has the potential to provide computer-mediated, self-administered aphasia therapy that complements conventional therapy. We explore overlaps in ICT for older adults and aphasia therapy applications with the goal of integrating innovative ICT in aphasia therapy. Based on a case study, we explain how results of different disciplines developing ICT for older adults can be transferred in order to better support older adults with aphasia. We conclude with future directions for ICT in aphasia therapy by surveying interdisciplinary approaches that integrate best practices from conventional therapy, interface design, tracking technologies, user modelling, adaptation algorithms, playful design, user empowerment, and community interaction

Features of mobile apps for people with autism in a post covid-19 scenario: current status and recommendations for apps using AI

The new ‘normal’ defined during the COVID-19 pandemic has forced us to re-assess how people with special needs thrive in these unprecedented conditions, such as those with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). These changing/challenging conditions have instigated us to revisit the usage of telehealth services to improve the quality of life for people with ASD. This study aims to identify mobile applications that suit the needs of such individuals. This work focuses on identifying features of a number of highly-rated mobile applications (apps) that are designed to assist people with ASD, specifically those features that use Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies. In this study, 250 mobile apps have been retrieved using keywords such as autism, autism AI, and autistic. Among 250 apps, 46 were identified after filtering out irrelevant apps based on defined elimination criteria such as ASD common users, medical staff, and non-medically trained people interacting with people with ASD. In order to review common functionalities and features, 25 apps were downloaded and analysed based on eye tracking, facial expression analysis, use of 3D cartoons, haptic feedback, engaging interface, text-to-speech, use of Applied Behaviour Analysis therapy, Augmentative and Alternative Communication techniques, among others were also deconstructed. As a result, software developers and healthcare professionals can consider the identified features in designing future support tools for autistic people. This study hypothesises that by studying these current features, further recommendations of how existing applications for ASD people could be enhanced using AI for (1) progress tracking, (2) personalised content delivery, (3) automated reasoning, (4) image recognition, and (5) Natural Language Processing (NLP). This paper follows the PRISMA methodology, which involves a set of recommendations for reporting systematic reviews and meta-analyses

Exploring the Potential Use of Telehealth Technology to Improve the Diagnostic Process of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in Wales, United Kingdom

There is a significant delay between parents initially seeking help and receiving a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Telehealth has the potential to accelerate the ASD diagnostic pathway. However, user acceptance is essential for the successful implementation of telehealth technology. This thesis therefore aims to examine whether telehealth can be used to increase access to ASD diagnostic services in Wales and reduce the time taken to receive a diagnosis. To achieve this, a multimethod approach was adopted, comprising of three studies. Initially, a scoping review (Study1) was conducted examining the use of telehealth in ASD diagnostic assessment. This identified two methods: (a) Real-Time (b) Store-and-Forward, particularly the Naturalistic Observation Diagnostic Assessment (NODA) system. Results also suggest that telehealth is feasible and acceptable to the families. However, findings indicate that no study had thus far examined the factors of telehealth acceptance, based on theoretical foundation. Therefore, Studies two and three were conducted, to explore the parental experience of the diagnostic process, and investigate the predictors of their acceptance to use NODA for ASD diagnostic assessment, using the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology model. Data for both studies was collected via an online questionnaire, targeting parents of children with ASD in Wales. Descriptive and inferential statistics were applied to the closed-ended questions, and thematic analysis was used for open-ended questions. Study 2 findings revealed that the majority of parents were dissatisfied with the diagnostic process, with the time taken to obtain a diagnosis being a predictor of their satisfaction. Study 3 found that the majority of parents felt positively towards the NODA, with their willingness to use the system being predicted by their age, performance expectancy, social influence and comfort with using laptop and smartphone devices. Implications and recommendations are further discussed at the end of the thesis