AAC Generative Language Intervention for Speech Disorders

(MALD Trial)

Overseen By Cathy Binger, PhD

Age: < 18

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Central Florida

Disqualifiers: Autism, Social communication disorder, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

60 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests a new approach to help people with speech disorders communicate better using a method called AAC Generative Language Intervention. It focuses on improving communication for individuals with Down syndrome or cerebral palsy who have significant speech impairments. Participants must express at least 25 words, use an iPad communication app accurately, and have functional vision and hearing. The trial aims to make communication easier and more effective for those who struggle with speech. As an unphased trial, it offers participants the chance to contribute to innovative research that could significantly enhance communication methods for those with speech disorders.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

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

What prior data suggests that this intervention is safe for speech disorders?

Earlier research has studied similar communication aids, with few reports of negative effects. This suggests these treatments are generally well-tolerated. AAC helps people with speech difficulties communicate better, often using symbols or devices to form words and sentences. Although specific safety data for the AAC Generative Language Intervention is not yet available, existing evidence from other AAC treatments shows they are safe to use. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the AAC Generative Language Intervention because it offers a novel approach for treating speech disorders, particularly for individuals who rely on augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems. Unlike traditional speech therapy methods that primarily focus on repetitive practice and structured exercises, this intervention uses generative language techniques to enhance spontaneous and creative language use. This approach has the potential to improve communication effectiveness and engagement by encouraging more natural language development, which is a significant shift from conventional therapies.

What evidence suggests that AAC Generative Language Intervention might be an effective treatment for speech disorders?

Research shows that the AAC Generative Language Intervention, provided to participants in this trial, can aid in treating speech disorders. One study with individuals who have apraxia of speech and aphasia demonstrated significant improvements in word accuracy after a 4-week therapy program. Additionally, research indicates that 75-85% of AAC users experience major improvements in self-expression and communication. This treatment may also benefit individuals with conditions like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and autism by enhancing their communication skills. Overall, AAC interventions have a strong history of improving language abilities. ^{1 6 7 8 9}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

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

Exclusion Criteria

I have been diagnosed with Autism or Social Communication Disorder.

My primary language is not English.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

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

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

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.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Treatment Group Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

AAC Generative Language Intervention

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

52

Recruited

6,200+

Published Research Related to This Trial

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]

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]

Citations

1. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/phase-language-disorders-10-2024-646c3

AAC Generative Language Intervention for Speech ... Participants with apraxia of speech and aphasia demonstrated significant improvements in word production accuracy over a 4-week therapy program, with gains ...

2. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9549491/

Speech-Language Pathologists' Practices in Augmentative ... This survey study examined augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) practices reported by early intervention speech-language pathologists (SLPs) ...

3. asha.org asha.org/practice-portal/professional-issues/augmentative-and-alternative-communication/?srsltid=AfmBOorgy-SP54A3szPoob0OxmxZxQL1KkF8TKhYGVb9KvsOaGX9gaHT

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) The largest populations of individuals who could benefit from AAC had diagnoses of Alzheimer's/dementia (23%), Parkinson's disease (22%), autism spectrum ...

4. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772632024000412

Transforming pediatric speech and language disorder ... Using Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) techniques can help kids with SSD improve their speech issues and communication abilities even more.

5. aac-plus.com aac-plus.com/is-aac-therapy-effective-for-developmental-language-disorders/

Is AAC Therapy Effective for Developmental Language ... Research shows 75-85% of AAC users demonstrate significant improvements in expressive language abilities and communication skills. AAC therapy ...

6. pubs.asha.org pubs.asha.org/doi/10.1044/2021_PERSP-20-00220

“Everyone Deserves AAC”: Preliminary Study of the ... For autistic individuals with speech challenges, augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) may provide access to communication using ...

7. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2493612/

Augmentative and Alternative Communication for ... This study sought to describe speech-language interventions for preschool-aged children who required AAC as provided by AAC experts and by general speech ...

8. tandfonline.com tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/07434610701553668

AAC for adults with acquired neurological conditions The purpose of this review is to describe the state of the science of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) for adults with acquired neurogenic ...

9. sac-oac.ca sac-oac.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/aac_position-paper_en.pdf

The Role of Speech-Language Pathologists with Respect to ... One recent study found that hospital inpatients with a communication disorder are three times more likely to experience a preventable adverse medical event than ...