Eye-tracking Technology for Severe Communication Disability

The aim of this project is to develop an Augmentative and Alternative Communication intervention through the use of Eye tracker system.

The term "complex communication needs" includes all patients who present severe disturbances in speech and language production and/or in comprehension, in relation to oral or written communication modalities. The main purpose of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) is to promote the best possible communication for people with complex communication needs, through the use of techniques, methods and tools aimed not at replacing pre-existing communication methods but at increasing skills of natural communication through the enhancement of present skills. The Eye tracker system, thanks to allows the recording and analysis of eye movements, could be used successfully to support communication in patients with severe communication disability. The goal of this study is to develop an efficacy Augmentative and Alternative Communication intervention using eye-tracking technology for patients with severe communication disability. The secondary objective was to examine the psychosocial impact of technology for AAC on parents' perspectives and quality of life.

The experimental group will undergo treatment with innovative high-tech tools, such as Eye Tracking, for communication purposes. The duration of the treatment will be six months, twice a week, with sessions of 45 minutes.

The control group will undergo conventional AAC treatment, with low-tech tools, such as PECS or sign language. The duration of the treatment will be six months, twice a week, with sessions of 45 minutes.

The AAC treatment will be supported by the use of an innovative high-tech tool, such as Eye Tracking. The duration of treatment will be 6 months, with sessions of 45 minutes twice a week.

Treatment involves the use of conventional AAC, with low-tech tools, such as PECS or sign language. The duration of treatment will be six months, twice a week, with sessions of 45 minutes.

The MacArthur-Bates Communicative Development Inventory is a questionnaire for parents. This is used for the study and evaluation of communication and language in children with typical and atypical development.

The MacArthur-Bates Communicative Development Inventory is a questionnaire for parents. This is used for the study and evaluation of communication and language in children with typical and atypical development.

The MacArthur-Bates Communicative Development Inventory is a questionnaire for parents. This is used for the study and evaluation of communication and language in children with typical and atypical development.

is an online assessment tool created to help professionals and family members support people with severe communication disorders on their journey to greater self-expression. Total score on an assessment of early expressive communication skills.

is an online assessment tool created to help professionals and family members support people with severe communication disorders on their journey to greater self-expression. Total score on an assessment of early expressive communication skills.

is an online assessment tool created to help professionals and family members support people with severe communication disorders on their journey to greater self-expression. Total score on an assessment of early expressive communication skills.

Interactive Check list for Augmentative Communication is an observational tool for evaluating interactive behavior

Interactive Check list for Augmentative Communication is an observational tool for evaluating interactive behavior

Interactive Check list for Augmentative Communication is an observational tool for evaluating interactive behavior

The World Health Organization Quality of Life -BREF consists of 26 questions. The World Health Organization Quality of Life -BREF has Likert-type scoring ranging from 1 to 5. As the score obtained from the sub-domains of the scale increases, the quality of life increases.

Forerunners in Communication assesses the precursors of augmentative communication. It measures the ability to perceive and attribute meanings to forms of communication

The Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales are a standardized semi-structured interview to measure adaptive behavior, among the most sensitive to change in autism research. Standard scores have a mean of 100 and a standard deviation of 15.

Inclusion Criteria: aged between 3 and 17 years affected by neuropsychiatric pathology presenting complex communication needs Control of eye motility and visual fixation ability to maintain position in front of the monitor availability of at least one member of the family nucleus to participate in the therapeutic process cognitive skills appropriate to the task such as being able to recognize images and being able to memorize procedures necessary to use the various basic functions Exclusion Criteria: age not between 3 and 17 years difficulty in controlling ocular motility and visual fixation the unavailability of at least one member of the family nucleus to participate in the therapeutic process impaired cognitive skills on the task such as being able to recognize pictures and being able to memorize procedures necessary to use various basic functions

Mirenda P, Eicher D, Beukelman DR. Synthetic and natural speech preferences of male and female listeners in four age groups. J Speech Hear Res. 1989 Mar;32(1):175-83. doi: 10.1044/jshr.3201.175. Erratum In: J Speech Hear Res 1989 Sep;32(3):703.

Corallo F, Bonanno L, Lo Buono V, De Salvo S, Rifici C, Pollicino P, Allone C, Palmeri R, Todaro A, Alagna A, Bramanti A, Bramanti P, Marino S. Augmentative and Alternative Communication Effects on Quality of Life in Patients with Locked-in Syndrome and Their Caregivers. J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis. 2017 Sep;26(9):1929-1933. doi: 10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2017.06.026. Epub 2017 Jul 18.

Uliano D, Falciglia G, Del Viscio C, Picelli A, Gandolfi M, Passarella A. Augmentative and alternative communication in adolescents with severe intellectual disability: a clinical experience. Eur J Phys Rehabil Med. 2010 Jun;46(2):147-52. Epub 2010 Apr 13.