Development and Evaluation of an Augmentative and Alternative and Communication Mobile App for Facilitating Communication in the Speech Impaired Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Background: Mobile Touchscreen devices are currently being used as Speech Generating Devices(SGDs) and have been shown to promote the communication skills in the speech impaired particularly the communication skills of the children with autism spectrum disorders. A prototype of an Augmentative and Alternative Communication, mobile phone based App, VAAKYA ( The Sentence) was developed in 2016 by Mata Bhagwanti Chadha Niketan, a special school, to facilitate communication among the non-verbal students. The unique features of the app, which relies on images and recorded sentences, are flexibility of use in any language, vast picture library, customization to individual user, multiple users for single download and free download from Google store. The App once configured doesn't require internet connection. The App aims to empower individuals afflicted with speech problems to carry out the communicative functions of their day-to-day lives i.e. communicating personal needs, thoughts, ideas, feelings and emotions. This App accommodates the individual needs of the user or learner. The ease of access facilitates use in different situations-at school, home, shopping, traveling, hospitals, recreational activities.

Objectives: To develop an Alternative and Augmentative Communication App for facilitating communication in the Speech Impaired.

To develop an App which has flexibility of use in any language

To develop an app which can be customized to individual user

To ensure easy access by developing it on mobile interface and download from online App stores

To evaluate the benefits of the App

Methods: The trial of the prototype towards the first iteration was conducted among 30 speech impaired students with autism at MBCN Special School. The Trainers (special educators) were first trained in the use of the App and then they proceeded to train the 30 student and parents. The students were trained to use the app to convey personal needs. Six months after the introduction of the App the trainers were asked to fill a feedback questionnaire to delineate the problems in use and suggestions for improvement. The student’s response to the app was also evaluated through a questionnaire filled by the special educators.

Results: the students with mild intellectual disability easily learnt the use of the app as compared to students severe level of intellectual disability. There was an improvement in attention span and level of communication, some students moved from being non verbal to verbal. Improvement were observed in maladaptive behaviours such as hyperactivity, temper tantrums of the students with autism.

Conclusions: Our date suggests that VAAKYA is a suitable App for helping children with autism spectrum disorders to communicate