The iPad can now be used to Screen for Aphasia

DALLAS - Dec. 26, 2015 - PRLog -- Since the release of the iPad, the number of applications for medical and rehabilitation uses has increased exponentially. Speech-Language-Pathologists were among the first health care professionals to vigorously adopt the use of the device as a therapy tool. The use of the iPad within the more medically focused speech pathologists have been slightly more limited than those within the educational settings due to the limited number of applications. Over the past several years, only a hand full of companies has been trying to change this reality.

Smarty Ears, a Texas based company, has been creating educational and medical applications for iOS devices since 2009. Over the course of the past several years, they have created nearly sixty applications for assessing and treating communication disorders. While the majority of these applications were designed to be used with the pediatric population, the company has managed to create a few applications that can be used to rehabilitate communication deficits caused by neurological trauma.

iScreen Aphasia is the company’s latest release. It was made available on the app store right before Christmas time this year. What a wonderful gift for speech-language-pathologists! The application is designed to serve as a starting point to screen for signs and symptoms of aphasia. The speech-language-pathologist can assess a variety of areas such as verbal communication, naming, reading and writing skills.

iScreen Aphasia automatically generates a report based on the responses provided by the patient. The report includes percentages of accuracy and corresponding G codes to help drive the therapeutic plan of care. The app is available on iTunes for an introductory price of $29.99. The information generated by the application is kept within the clinician’s device and it is not shared over the network.

iScreen Aphasia was authored by Tiffani L. Wallace, a speech-language-pathologist with fourteen years of experience in the area and author of three other applications available on iTunes. Barbara Fernandes, Smarty Ears founder and a Speech Pathologist is the application’s designer.

Apps for treating aphasia are also available on the app store, with some of the most popular being apps developed by Smarty Ears and Tactus Therapy. Smart Ears has released three apps designed to serve as a tool for treating aphasia symptoms: iName it, Reading Rehabilitation Toolkit, and Language Trainer. These three apps can also be purchased as a bundle for language rehabilitation available on the apps store. To learn more about apps for Aphasia, you can visit the Smarty Ears website here: