Med-Alert Systems: Important Features for People with ALS By: Amy Roman, MS, CCC-SLP Many people with ALS require some type of alerting system to gain the attention of caregivers. In my last article, Alerting Systems For The Home, I described various systems to alert a caregiver within the house when you have
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By Amy Roman, M.S., CCC-SLP Tablets As Communication Devices: A tablet can serve as excellent light-weight speech generating device. Some models can even continue to meet the needs of people who experience a reduction in or the loss of hand function by providing alternative access options
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Call Chimes & Alerting System in the Home By: Amy Roman, MS, CCC-SLP Call chimes are essential for keeping pALS and caregivers connected and providing peace of mind. Typically they are most critical for those who can’t call out, walk or are in danger of falls. A
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By: Amy Roman, CCC-SLP Last month I provided a webinar entitled “Keeping Tablets Accessible While Living with ALS”. The webinar explored many ways to use a tablet (and computers) with limited or no hand movement. I have received quite a few requests for the “Eye Tracking
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2 Ways to Make your iPad/iPhone Accessible By Amy Roman, MS, CCC-SLP. More of my patients are using iPads and Androids as their speech generating devices. Though Androids provide more options for maintaining access with hand weakness, the iPad does have some nice features. This <
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Video: This ABC news spot features a glimpse at many communication methods from eye tracking on a computer based speech generating device (SGD) to the use of a head mounted laser pointer to target words and letters on a paper communication poster. You will see people who use a BoogieBoard (a light weight LCD writing
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By: Amy Roman, CCC-Speech Therapist. Yesterday I spotted Jason Becker in a front page article in the San Francisco Chronicle. Jason achieved world fame as a virtuoso, speed-metal guitarist and songwriter while still in his teens. During the late 80’s he released 3 albums including one with
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By Amy Roman, CCC-SLP The husband of one of my patients invented this horizontal stylus about 12 years ago. His wife could no longer isolate her index fingers for typing but she could still move her arms to type. Her other fingers were getting in the way
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By Amy Roman, SLP. One of the first things I suggest to pALS experiencing any neck, shoulder or arm weakness is to avoid laptops or touchscreens when possible. Communicating all day with the full 10 lb. weight of your head thrust in front of your spine is
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For an article on the very important uses of switches for pALS please visit the Praactical AAC Website.
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