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Advanced technology paves avenues for severely challenged
Nov 21, 2008 (Republican & Herald - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) --
Mickey Opuda was born without the ability to speak.
But a few weeks ago, through the use of a specialized communication device, the 51-year-old Girardville man was able to express his feelings for his mother for the first time in his life.
"He pressed a button and it said 'I love you, Mom.' I was so happy, I just started to cry," said his mother, Florence, who is now able to speak with her disabled son through advanced technology that allows even the most physically and mentally challenged individuals the power to verbally communicate with others.
Using a DynaVox Technologies portable computer that resembles a small laptop, Opuda can talk to his family and friends, order exactly what he wants in a restaurant, tell his doctor how he's feeling and even laugh.
"He could never do anything like that before," his mother said. "We would have to guess what he wanted ... He would sometimes get frustrated. But now he's able to do so much more."
The device is one of several augmentative and alternative communication devices therapists at Schuylkill Health are using to assist patients with communication disorders.
Developed by Pittsburgh-based DynaVox Technologies, the device can be programmed to meet the specific needs of people challenged by speech, language and learning disabilities.
So far, Jessica Snyder and Layne M. Munson, speech and language pathologists at Schuylkill Health, have had success with three people they have equipped with the device, which they said costs about $7,500 and is covered by many health insurance plans.
Speech generating devices such as the DynaVox can help patients who have a variety of conditions, including autism, stroke, cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury, Down syndrome and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's Disease), she said.
The process consists of an evaluation, followed by training sessions for the patient, family and caregivers. The patient's database of language, phrases, pictures and information is then programmed into the computer, and can be updated as necessary.
Tommy Weller, 26, of Port Carbon, suffered a stroke when he was 16 months old, making him deaf and unable to speak.
His mother, Anne Marie, taught him sign language when he was a toddler, but his physical disabilities limited his ability to sign clearly.
He now has a DynaVox device, which is helping him improve his language and social skills, she said.
When Tommy points to an image on the screen, represented as a picture of himself, a programmed voice speaks his name. When he points to other screens, the voice says his address, his birthday, his phone number and other phrases such as "Nice to meet you," and "Thank you," which can linked to form a conversation.
Shirley Hoffman suffered a stroke a few years ago, which partially paralyzed the muscles in her throat and left her permanently unable to speak. But now she can hook her DynaVox unit up to a telephone and call her family and friends.
"The great thing about these devices is that there are almost infinite possibilities; anything you want to put in there you can," said Munson, who is also the clinical coordinator of the speech and language department at Schuylkill Health. "(Patients) feel empowered."
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