Giving Kids the Gift of Communication

Giving Kids the Gift of Communication

Innovative Technology Opens New World of Communication for Kids

The ability to communicate is something many of us take for granted, but for children with brain injuries, cerebral palsy, and degenerative disorders, bridging that gap is a challenging task.

For children with limited body movement or an impaired ability to verbally communicate, everyday tasks like turning on the TV or communicating pain and symptoms to family and health care providers is difficult. Augmentative alternative communication and assistive technology (AAC/AT) is now opening doors, allowing kids to communicate when verbal cues can’t be relied on.

Thanks to donors of Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation’s Making Spirits Bright holiday giving campaign, this technology is now available at the Alvin Buckwold Child Development Program (ABCDP) in Saskatoon. ABCDP is home to one of only two specialized speech language teams in Saskatchewan, serving children from as far away as Fond du Lac and Yorkton.

Funds raised from the Making Spirits Bright campaign helped purchase eye gaze devices that read eye movements like a mouse, allowing children to interact with a computer screen using only their eyes. The funds also purchased head mouse technology, which is similar but uses a reflective sticker placed on the child’s forehead. Children are able to trial the new equipment before their families, schools or supporting charities invest in the expensive equipment for at home use.

Since receiving the assessment equipment, Jill Morgan, Speech Language Pathologist with Alvin Buckworld Child Development Centre, has already completed several assessments, which take an average of three or four 90 minute appointments to find the best fit for a child and their family.

“Including this technology in our annual holiday giving campaign was an easy decision,” explained Brynn Boback- Lane, President and CEO of Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation. “It is so important for Saskatchewan children with communication obstacles to have access to the necessary technology to gain independence, confidence, literacy, and social engagement. We’re grateful to people across Saskatchewan for recognizing that need and answering the call for help.”

The Larson family of Swift Current regularly travels to Saskatoon with their five-year-old son Cole for speech therapy. In 2013, when Cole was born, he suffered from a lack of blood and oxygen to the brain, resulting in brain damage affecting his lower extremities and speech, with an eventual diagnosis of cerebral palsy before the age of two.

The device Cole uses is a high-tech touchscreen tablet with a language program that allows kids to push buttons that represent words. Cole’s mom Janelle said that since Cole has been using the device she has noticed an increase in his verbal output or speech.

Five-year-old Cole using his new communication tools

“What I like about the device is voice power,” said Morgan. “Before we had this technology we were doing the same kind of thing with paper. We would use books with layer upon layer of language in a binder.”

Cole’s father Derek said they are lucky to have the technology that their son can use to help him learn and communicate without frustration.

“We are fortunate to have organizations and fundraisers who help support kids to give them the best. It will make his life easier for him to keep up with his peers. He is a happier kid and he is not finding it so hard to communicate. We are pretty proud of him.”