Researchers have developed a new system called ‘SC@UT’ that would make communication possible for children who are intellectually disabled or have communication limitations.
SC@UT, which stands for Augmentative and Adaptive Communication System, has been created by a team of researchers including thirteen professors of the Computer Engineering School (ETSI Informatica) and a team of psychologists, psycho-pedagogues and speech therapists including Canas Delgado at University of Granada.The software for enhancing communication by computer devices (PC’s, laptops, PDA’s, etc.) is for children with special communication and educational needs, such as those who suffer from autism.
The SC@UT includes a speaker which transmits the ‘user’s comments’ to the listener.
Researchers found that through the SC@UT project, the child can express needs like going to the toilet or hunger, as well as states as being happy, sad, or tired.
The system could also be used by adults with cerebral palsy, or by adults who cannot speak for different reasons like heart attack, thrombosis, etc.
Researchers claim that improved communication will lead to a decrease in disruptive behaviour in disabled children. Consequently, the use of that display could also diminish aggressiveness in autistic children.
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Source: ANI
LIN/M