Navigating Communicaion Challenges After an ALS Diagnosis

May is National Speech-Language-Hearing Month! In recognition of this month, I wanted to highlight the role that Speech-Language Pathologists (SLP) play in managing the communication challenges that accompany an ALS diagnosis.

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) is an area of SLP clinical practice that supplements or compensates for impairments in speech-language production and/or comprehension, including spoken and written modes of communication. AAC is augmentative when it is used to supplement existing speech, and alternative when it is used in place of speech that is absent or not functional. It has been estimated that approximately five million Americans and 97 million people in the world may benefit from AAC. SLPs play a central role in the screening, assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of persons requiring AAC intervention.

For individuals living with ALS, many will experience a need for SLP services at various points in the disease process. Advances in technologies have made it possible for persons living with ALS to be able to communicate effectively throughout the course of the disease. Here are some of the interventions that SLPs can implement to help support you:

• Voice/message banking and voice cloning: Voice preservation allows an individual to remain able to use their personal speech and voice for communication purposes, even when they may be physically unable to produce natural speech and voice that is comprehensible. An SLP can support individuals in completing the voice preservation processes for their future communication needs. Newer technologies have now made it possible to achieve the highest quality of voice replication through voice cloning. Extraction of audio from old videos, as well as the use of pre-diagnosis voice recordings, makes the process possible.
• Voice amplification: Voice amplifiers can enhance an individual’s speech and voice so that they can be better heard and understood. Such technology is highly portable and easy to use as it consists of a microphone and a small speaker. The volume can be adjusted to different levels of output for various communication environments.
• Automated speech recognition: Automated speech recognition helps an individual with non-standard speech to be able to use their natural speech and voice by having the program listen to and repeat their messages using computerized speech. One such program is Voiceitt. Individuals living with ALS can benefit from this type of technology without the need for additional equipment, as it can be used on any type of personal technology device that allows access to a web browser. To learn more about Voiceitt’s products and services, please visit their website at www.thebabelgroup.com. You can also request a webinar or schedule a meeting.
• Speech generation devices: Speech generating devices can range from apps that are added to a personal smartphone or tablet to sophisticated computer tablets that are controlled by the user’s eyes. Such technologies allow the user to communicate even when natural speech and voice are limited or no longer possible. Many of these programs can be integrated with banked voices/messages, as well as cloned voices, thus retaining the individual’s personal speech and voice patterns.

Hospital for Special Care offers all of the above AAC services to individuals living with ALS who have a need for communication supports. Our program has a lending library of equipment that allows for the opportunity to trial equipment on either a short or long-term basis. This provides those who have immediate needs for equipment to obtain what they need without delay, as well as an opportunity to aid with decision-making before seeking insurance funding. We also accept donations of used communication devices and equipment so that we can continue to support the needs of the ALS community.

If you would like to learn more about the SLP services at Hospital for Special Care, please contact: Kim Winter, MA CCC-SLP at 860-827-1958 ext. 2035 or kwinter@hfsc.org