Sarah Overland

EDU 214 / Summer 2015

June 26, 2015

Assistive Technology: Speech Generating Devices

Assistive technology refers to a wide range of devices that are geared
towards helping people with physical and intellectual disabilities function
better both in everyday life as well as in education. A widely used assistive
technology is a speech generating device (SGD). SGDs typically consist of a
computer processor and a visual display unit. The display unit contains
various symbols, drawings and printed words that are associated with
various requests and commands suitable to the users needs. The programs
are then used to produce a digitized or synthesized voice recording. For
example, a person using the SGD might touch a picture of a glass of water
which will in turn produce the speech output of Im thirsty. There are
numerous types of SGDs available and the cost of SGDs are high, however,
once a referral from a speech pathologist has been given, most insurance
companies will cover the cost of the device. Newer programs have been
made that use an ipad or other tablet as an SGD.
Once the use of and SGD has been approved and deemed necessary,
proper initial training is imperative in order to maximize its benefits. Also,
ongoing support from a speech pathologist or speech therapist will be
necessary for both the children using the device as well as the parent or
caregiver overseeing its use.
Using SGDs in the classroom will help integrate children with
disabilities into mainstream classes and SGDs will encourage

Sarah Overland
EDU 214 / Summer 2015
June 26, 2015

communication and interaction between students both socially and

academically. Being that the use of handheld devices have become so widely
accepted in the classroom, using an ipad or other handheld device as an SGD
will be much less stigmatizing than the older version of SGD. When a nonverbal student is able to communicate with teachers and peers, their
disability is lessened.

Sarah Overland
EDU 214 / Summer 2015
June 26, 2015
Golinker, L. (2009, Aug). Speech generating device funding for children. The Exceptional Parent, 39,
78-79. Retrieved from http://ezproxy.library.csn.edu/login?
url=http://search.proquest.com/docview/223522624?accountid=27953 US Springer International
Publishing AG, Part of Springer Science+Business Media
Skylar, A. A. (2007). Assistive technology. Journal of Special Education Technology, 22(4), 57-62.
Retrieved from http://ezproxy.library.csn.edu/login?
url=http://search.proquest.com/docview/228487702?accountid=27953