SentenceShaper.com
An innovative approach to language software for aphasia
An innovative approach to language software for aphasia
Click on any of the questions below. Please contact us if you have questions that are not answered addressed below
1. What is SentenceShaper?
2. How does SentenceShaper help people with aphasia?
3. What is new in SentenceShaper 2?
4. Can SentenceShaper help the user to find words?
5. What about languages other than English?
6. How is SentenceShaper different from other communication devices used
by aphasic individuals?
7. What kinds of people with aphasia can benefit from SentenceShaper?
8. How do I train my patients to use SentenceShaper?
9. Are reading or writing abilities required in order to use SentenceShaper?
10. What kind of computer skills are required in order to use SentenceShaper?
11. What kind of hardware and software do I need for SentenceShaper?
12. Do I need a touch screen monitor to use SentenceShaper?
13. Can I try out SentenceShaper before I buy it?
SentenceShaper® is an innovative, patented communication aid (computer software) designed to help people with aphasia create spoken sentences and entire narratives. It was inspired by research indicating that people with aphasia may retain extensive knowledge of their language, but can't use this knowledge because language processing is slowed down -- it takes these individuals longer to think of words, and words often vanish from memory before they can be combined into sentences.
The purpose of SentenceShaper is to tap into these hidden language abilities by "turning off the clock." It allows the user to record spoken fragments, play them back, and build them into sentences by manipulating icons on a computer screen.
Published research from studies funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and conducted by the internationally recognized neuropsychologists and SLPs (Speech-Language Pathologists) with whom we have partnered has demonstrated that:
These research studies and publications about SentenceShaper are detailed in the professional part of the website.
This version of the program is designed to increase the program's impact and maintain users' interest. It displays pictures on the screen, incorporates 20 workbooks (sequences of screens) designed to train particular structures or elicit speech on related topics, and, in the Pro with Editing version, allows the user to import personal photos and create custom workbooks.
Although its primary function is to provide processing support, SentenceShaper does provide two kinds of help with word-finding. The Vocabulary Cue Buttons surrounding the main screen display printed words. When clicked, each of these buttons plays a sound file of the word. Another tool is the WordFinder (entered by clicking the question mark icon on the lower right of the screen), a set of approximately 1100 printed words which can be played by clicking. Once the user has found the word he wants to use, he records the word in his own voice in order to incorporate it into a sentence. Both word-finding tools can be customized easily by family or clinician in the Pro with Editing version.
The core functionality of SentenceShaper is completely language-neutral. If you do not need to use SentenceShaper's two word-finding tools, then you can use the system for any language at all. If you have the Pro with Editing version, you can add words from your language.
Probably the main difference is that SentenceShaper is more than simply a word-finding tool. Although SentenceShaper can give the user help with word-finding, its most remarkable effects derive from the processing support it provides. However, like other communication systems, SentenceShaper can also help the user to find words. And it allows the user to record words directly, without looking for them on the system.
You do not need to choose between SentenceShaper and another device. You may wish to create messages on SentenceShaper and then transfer them (by manually recording them) onto existing AAC devices.
Many people with aphasia experience some kind of an aided effect: that is, they are able to produce better speech using SentenceShaper than they can usually produce spontaneously without the system.
Some of these people will also show gains in their spontaneous, unaided speech after a period of SentenceShaper use. To date, the most striking treatment results (that is, improvements in spontaneous, unaided speech) have come from people with non-fluent aphasia, such as Broca's aphasia.
Some kinds of people are less likely to benefit from SentenceShaper use, although it is possible that techniques may yet be developed to help them make better use of the system. This aphasia software is less likely to work well for people who are unable to repeat even a single word, or show very poor single word comprehension, or suffer from cognitive deficits which prevent them from learning new skills or attending to a task for any period of time.
In terms of severity, we have observed treatment effects at both ends of the spectrum. People who are already able to produce longer utterances may still increase the informativeness of their speech and create even longer and more well-formed utterances than they were previously doing.
This is discussed in the Introduction section of the SentenceShaper 2 manual, and we plan to offer more detailed notes and videos on this topic in the future, created by clinicians who have used the program.
No. Although some text is displayed by the system, this text is always associated with a button which plays the spoken word or phrase.
Using this software requires only the most basic computer skills: single-clicking and dragging are the main kinds of operations required. Family members and clinicians who wish to customize the system (by adding words or pictures) should be able to do so without difficulty if they consult the SentenceShaper manual.
The program runs on XP and later versions of Windows. including Windows 7. It does not currently run on Macs, and may not run on mac emulator software. The computer must have a sound card and a microphone, and enough disk space to store sound files created by the system. The program itself requires 400 MB. Finally, you will need a screen resolution of at least 1024 x 768 pixels.
We have found that people often find it easier to use SentenceShaper with a touch screen monitor than with a mouse. (Even touch screen monitors that require you to use a stylus are generally easier to use than a mouse.)
Some laptops come with a touch screen that does not require use of a stylus. Another way to get a computer with a built-in touch screen is to use a Tablet PC. However, note that the tablet PC must have a screen resolution of 1024 x 768 pixels and run Windows.
That said, if you don't have a touch screen monitor, you can still use this software. How difficult it will be will depend on the physical capabilities of the user.
Yes! You can download the SentenceShaper 2 install program at no charge from our download page, or order a CD to be shipped to you.