Customizing a Minspeak1 system for a preliterate child: a case example

Abstract

In recent years Minspeak has become a widely used communication technique with both children and adults. Little information is available which describes approaches for customizing a Minspeak system for pediatric users. This paper describes a procedure used to customize a Touch Talker with Minspeak system for a preliterate child whose cognitive-language abilities are at the 4-year level. Aspects of vocabulary selection, icon selection, icon arrangement, and vocabulary organization are described, and strategies used to facilitate use of the system in multiple environments are highlighted. The child's progress in transitioning from her manual system to Minspeak is documented in terms of learning rate and system usage.

• aided communication
• case study
• preliterate
• semantic compaction
• vocabulary organization
• vocabulary selection