DIGITAL SPEECH THERAPY DESIGN SHEILADEN AQUINO SPEECH AND

DIGITAL SPEECH THERAPY DESIGN SHEILADEN AQUINO SPEECH AND LANGUAGE THERAPIST IN INDEPENDENT PRACTICE COG-NEURO SPEECH THERAPY Sheiladen@yahoo. com

PROBLEM: Most of Speech and Language Therapy software in the market are not based on evidence • Doubt if they are effective • If they are effective- what makes them effective POSSIBLE QUESTION: What factors in digital speech therapy design (content and interaction) are most effective in communication therapy for people with aphasia

METHOD: PHASE 1: External Scientific Evidence • Game designs for older adults (Marson, H. , 2013) • Review of intervention studies using virtual reality in cognitive rehabilitation (Larson, E. , et. a l. 2014) • SLT intervention studies using technology • Neuroplasticity principles • Any other topics?

METHOD: PHASE 2: Interview Experts • Multidisciplinary collaboration technology based intervention (Cudd, P. , et al. 2012) • Who are the multidisciplinary experts in the area for digital speech therapy • How? Ask experts to rate top 6 factors that have potential to improve therapy outcomes (3 content & 3 interaction)?

METHOD: PHASE 3: People with Aphasia • Use participatory design approach (Almahmud & Martens, 2008; Gallagers, et. al (2012) • How to conduct workshops? • ? Ask PWA to identify top 4 factors (2 content 2 interaction)? PHASE 4: intervention testing • Is it feasible to conduct case studies to test 4 factors, how?

I'M NOT SURE ABOUT • Is this topic appropriate for a Ph. D research? • Difference between design element and factors that will be used in intervention testing • Comments on methodology • What do I need to learn to proceed • Who should I approach to discuss further? Any department who is currently doing a similar study?