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60 Participants Needed

AAC Generative Language Intervention for Speech Disorders
(MALD Trial)

Overseen ByCathy Binger, PhD

Age: < 18

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Central Florida

Disqualifiers: Autism, Social communication disorder, others

No Placebo GroupAll trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

The focus of the current study is to systematically investigate the psychometric properties of a range of aided language measures, which are based on the Graphic Symbol Utterance and Sentence Development Framework (Binger \& Kent-Walsh).

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

Is AAC Generative Language Intervention safe for humans?

There is no specific safety data available for AAC Generative Language Intervention, but studies on similar AAC interventions have not widely reported negative consequences, suggesting they are generally safe.¹ ² ³ ⁴ ⁵

How does AAC Generative Language Intervention differ from other treatments for speech disorders?

AAC Generative Language Intervention is unique because it focuses on using augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) strategies to enhance expressive language acquisition, particularly for preliterate individuals, by applying a developmental model of language learning. This approach is distinct from traditional speech therapies that may not specifically address the needs of individuals who rely on AAC for communication.⁶ ⁷ ⁸ ⁹ ¹⁰

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for English-speaking individuals with Down Syndrome or Cerebral Palsy who have significant speech impairments. Participants should be able to express at least 25 words in any communication mode and select picture symbols on an iPad app with over 50% accuracy, provided their vision and hearing are within functional limits.

Inclusion Criteria

Must be able to express at least 25 words (using any communication mode)

Must be able to accurately select picture symbols on iPad communication app with at least 50% accuracy

Vision and hearing within functional limits or corrected to be within functional limits for study activities

See 2 more

Exclusion Criteria

I have been diagnosed with Autism or Social Communication Disorder.

My primary language is not English.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Intervention

Participants receive aided language intervention to measure language development

24 months

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for language development and effectiveness after intervention

4 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

AAC Generative Language Intervention

Trial Overview The study tests the effectiveness of AAC Generative Language Intervention based on the Graphic Symbol Utterance and Sentence Development Framework. It aims to evaluate how this intervention aids language development in people with certain speech disorders.

Participant Groups

1Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Group I: Treatment GroupExperimental Treatment1 Intervention

AAC Generative Language Intervention

Find a Clinic Near You

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Central Florida

Lead Sponsor

Trials

101

Recruited

1,191,000+

University of New Mexico

Collaborator

Trials

393

Recruited

3,526,000+

National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)

Collaborator

Trials

377

Recruited

190,000+

University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee

Collaborator

Trials

Recruited

6,200+

Findings from Research

A study involving 48 children with severe speech sound disorders (SSD-MSI) found that both once and twice weekly treatment sessions using the Motor Speech Treatment Protocol (MSTP) led to significant improvements in speech production over 10 weeks.

However, there were no significant differences in outcomes between the two treatment frequencies, suggesting that increasing the number of sessions may not provide substantial additional benefits, and a cost-benefit analysis is recommended for determining optimal treatment frequency.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Investigating intervention dose frequency for children with speech sound disorders and motor speech involvement.Namasivayam, AK., Pukonen, M., Goshulak, D., et al.[2020]

The iPad-based speech therapy app using automatic speech recognition (ASR) showed an 80% agreement with human judgment on speech accuracy, indicating reliable feedback for users.

Participants with apraxia of speech and aphasia demonstrated significant improvements in word production accuracy over a 4-week therapy program, with gains maintained one month after treatment, suggesting the app's effectiveness as a therapeutic tool.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Feasibility of Automatic Speech Recognition for Providing Feedback During Tablet-Based Treatment for Apraxia of Speech Plus Aphasia.Ballard, KJ., Etter, NM., Shen, S., et al.[2020]