One size does not fit all when it comes to speech generating devices. That's why we designed the Survivor Speech Companion System, a two-device system that is highly flexible and adaptable — the Survivor unit for stroke survivors, and the Companion unit for caregivers.
The O'Brien system helps those who are just starting the recovery process, as well as intermediate and more advanced survivors. It can be easily configured as a training tool using the O'Brien Technologies website, and the content customized to address most day-to-day communication needs.
The O'Brien Survivor speech generating device is a hand-held unit that is operated with the use of one finger. The main touch screen includes a scrollable list of categories and corresponding pictures. As the survivor scrolls through and selects from the categorized list, each topic is spoken. When the user finds the desired topic, he simply taps the screen and a sub-list of messages with corresponding pictures appears.
The user then scrolls up or down to select to select the item he wants to "say," and taps his finger. The screen then goes to an enlarged picture and displays the words to be spoken. An additional tap confirms the message and causes the Survivor unit to audibly speak.
The O'Brien Companion unit connects with the Survivor unit via infrared technology. It is designed to spare survivors from trying to find what area on their unit's touch screen to scroll to when asked a question by the caregiver.
The caregiver selects a customized, pre-programmed question on the Companion unit, which then automatically directs the Survivor unit to the appropriate screen where the survivor can select their response.
For example, if the caregiver's question is "What would you like for lunch," the Survivor unit will switch to the survivor's lunch menu. Healthcare professionals and speech pathologists will also use this technology to better communicate with survivors.
Survivor-to-Survivor — Many survivors interact regularly with other survivors who lack the ability to effectively communicate. That's why all O'Brien Survivor units are specially designed to improve survivor-to-survivor communication. Through infrared technology, the Survivor operating system incorporates a list of pre-programmed questions that can be seamlessly answered by any other unit.
For example, a query from one Survivor unit that asks "What is your name" will trigger the other Survivor unit to display the corresponding, customized answer on its screen. The responding survivor then taps the screen to confirm and speak the appropriate answer.
O'Brien's proprietary list of questions and commands has been developed by speech pathologists and caregivers to ensure their appropriateness.
