A Comprehensive Study on Innovative AAC Solution for Enhancing Communication in Speech-Impaired Children

Abstract

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) systems serve as crucial communication tools for children who face speech and language difficulties. This paper outlines the design and development of an AAC mobile application specifically tailored to address the communication needs of children, allowing them to effectively express their thoughts and feelings. The app is created with the flexible Flutter framework and Visual Studio Code. Key features include symbol-based communication, text-to-speech, customizable symbols, and voice output, all suited to the specific requirements of speech-impaired youngsters. The user-friendly design emphasizes accessibility with vivid iconography for increased interaction. The software is evaluated in the paper using user satisfaction measures, real-world usage in educational contexts, and visual input from user interactions. A comparative analysis with existing AAC apps highlights the strengths of the proposed solution. The conclusion emphasizes the crucial role AAC apps play in aiding communication for children with hearing impairments. Future improvements include real-time capabilities, advanced feature extraction, and collaborative elements for user-caregiver communication, aiming to advance accessibility and efficacy in communication tools for this user group. This research contributes significantly to enhancing communication tools for children with speech impairments.