Poster #9 - Interactions Between Learners With Complex Communication Needs, Teachers, and Eye Gaze Technology

• In Event: 75.043 - MTCC Poster Session 17
  In Poster Session: 75.043-2 - Current Issues in Special Education

Abstract

Advances in digital technologies provide opportunities for students with severe motor and speech impairments to interact with software that support communication. This study examines eye-tracking mediated interactions of non-verbal students and their teachers and educational assistants. Twelve elementary school students, ten with a diagnosis of Rett Syndrome, participated in teacher-guided interactions with AAC games on eye-tracking devices. Results from 164 sessions conducted over a three-month period were analyzed, with longer sessions being an indicator of positive engagement. The primary communication partner’s use of an inflected voice was associated with significantly longer sessions, but children’s familiarity with the communication partner was not. We discuss implications for communication guidelines with eye-tracking devices used as functional assistive communication systems in special education classrooms.

Authors

• Asiya Atcha, University of Toronto

• Michelle Lui, University of Toronto

• Roula Shimaly, University of Toronto

• Amrita Maharaj

• Syed Ali, University of Toronto

• Rhonda McEwen, University of Toronto