When watching the Syllable from Sound segment of the PBS video, The Secret Life of the Brain, I was struck by the message that experience with language is more important than the maturity or, in some cases, the physical condition of the brain. It was truly enlightening and inspiring to see individuals with large sections of brain tissue removed working to "remap" their brains and using existing brain tissue to relearn language skills that had been lost.
In terms of assistive technology, it is critical to understand specific areas and capabilities of brain function in order to discover where language processing breaks down so that the type of AT accommodates the specific deficit. Whether the difficulty is with particular skills involved with reading, writing, speaking or a combination of these, there are devices and computer software that can help individuals augment or relearn these skills. Assistive technology, used on a temporary or long-term basis can help individuals move beyond the limits sometimes imposed by a diagnosed disability and discover their true potential.
Monday, October 27, 2008
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