Elijah laughs: Augmentative communication device helps boy with cerebral palsy

A computer voice utters a simple statement. Sometimes, it’s “My name is Elijah.” Other times, “My parents are Brian and Leah,” or “I feel happy.” For the first time in his life, Elijah can tell his mother, ‘Yes, I want a hug.’ Another phrase — “I love the Patriots” — is often repeated. And a brown-eyed, curly-haired kindergartener’s eyes light up. He smiles and laughs out loud. It’s a whole new world for 5-year-old Elijah Gauthier, says his mom, Leah. Leah and her husband Brian have taken Elijah, who has severe cerebral palsy and is non-verbal, to the Augmentative Communication Program at Boston Children’s Hospital at Waltham since he was a baby. Alycia Berg, Elijah’s speech language pathologist, introduced a variety of augmentative communication options, starting with laminated index cards with pictures and sign language during infancy and toddlerhood. Berg and her colleagues often begin working with children early in infancy, collaborating with doctors in neonatology, neurology and complex care who refer patients at-risk for communication challenges because of their medical diagnosis and history. When he was 2, Elijah graduated to an iPad with the same picture symbols as the index cards. The idea was for him to point at a picture or symbol, and the software would speak each word out loud, says Berg. Pointing at a specific picture, however, is a challenge for Elijah because his fine-motor skills are limited, making it difficult for h...
Source: Thrive, Children's Hospital Boston - Category: Pediatrics Authors: Tags: Our Patients’ Stories Augmentative communication Boston Children's at Waltham cerebral palsy Source Type: news