From Nina, a speech therapist specializing in MND
Hi Patrick,
Thank you for letting me have a look at the Speakbook. I really like it. I think it would be helpful for people to use when they go out and about and don’t want to take their electronic communication aid with them. This may be because they are fearful of losing their AAC device e.g. in hospital or if it is raining or in the bathroom when an AAC device might get wet. Some people find that the traditional Light Writer is too heavy for them to carry around all the time so a light weight spiral bound pad is much lighter.
I think it is great that you can personalise it to the individual. In our department the standard picture communication chart is very general and includes items for men and women which is a bit silly, we really need a male version and a female version. Another difficulty is food and drink pictures which can be offensive if the person already has a gastrostomy tube.
Another big advantage is that the Speakbook is wipe clean which is essential especially if it is kept on a ward or in a hospice or day centre as it can be easily cleaned and re-labelled when swapped between users.
I was working with a gentleman today who speaks another language and who can’t use his hands. I could have used the Speakbook if his family had translated common phrases in each section, so I had English my side and he had his language his side. This would have helped me, him and the rest of the medical team.
I hope that some of these comments are useful, let me know if you want me to explain further. Good luck!
Nina