Giving Patients with ALS and Their Loved Ones Improved Independence
Accessibility Services, Inc. (ASI) has been providing and developing assistive technology for individual with quadriplegias and individuals with severe spinal cord injuries for more than 30 years. We have found that the same custom environmental control unit/ communication devices for individual with quadriplegias are also ideal for individuals with progressive diseases including multiple sclerosis (MS) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
Our signature autonoME is an integrated environmental control unit (ECU) /speech generating device with full computing capabilities. Our newly re-designed autonoME Hospital is the world’s first hospital ECU / speech generating device with a fully integrated television experience. Best of all, the autonoME is equipped with different input methods to accommodate varying levels and progression of disease.
Let’s take a closer look at how the autonoME custom environmental control unit/speech generating device offers patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis improved independence.
Environmental Control
Early assistive technology for individual with quadriplegias focused on environmental control. Technology in ECU devices such as the autonoME has advanced to allow an individual who is immobile due to ALS the ability to turn on lights, control the television, adjust the bed, turn on a fan, call a caregiver and/or nurse, make a phone call, send a text, use a computer, interact on Social Media and more.
Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)
Communication devices for individual with quadriplegias have come a long way over the years. The augmentative and alternative communication features of the autonoME allow individuals with ALS to communicate with loved ones, caregivers, therapists and medical staff. Voice banking can be initiated early in the diagnosis while the person is able to speak. This enables them to communicate using their own voice and unique expressions even after they lose their ability to speak. Being able to say, “I love you” in their own voice and communicate using their own expressions becomes especially important as ALS progresses.
Would you like to learn more about the all new and improved autonoME Hospital, autonoME Residential and portable autonoMEGo? Your friends at ASI are ready to answer your questions. Give us a call today!
