Boy’s life transformed by
pioneering speech technology
F
RASER ALLAN is a determined young man
with a zest for life and a drive to succeed.
But due to significant problems with speech
communication and dyslexia, Fraser’s experience
of learning during childhood, and in his teenage
years, was a challenging one.
Other young people in a similar situation to Fraser
may have been left behind. However, thanks to
pioneering speech therapy developed by QMU, and a
supportive school, Fraser’s life has been transformed.
Now aged 21, Fraser is successfully navigating his
way through a four-year sport and management
degree at Abertay University, attributing much of
this success to the self-belief he developed following
Electropalatography (EPG) speech therapy at QMU.
During his primary schooling, Fraser really struggled
with significant speech difficulties and also spent
many years attending Edinburgh Sick Kids for
help with dyslexia. As he progressed to secondary
school, his challenges with communication and
learning became more profound and his confidence
plummeted.
Fraser struggled to make his speech understood,
especially when meeting new people. He had
difficulty pronouncing specific sounds. Although
treatments provided by the NHS helped improved
his speech, language and reading, progress was
limited. He still struggled with the pronunciation
of certain words, particularly those involving the
sounds ‘k’, ‘g’ and ‘r’.
However, things started looking up when, at the
age of fourteen, Fraser met
Dr Sara Wood, a clinical
phonetics researcher and
speech and language
therapist at QMU. Dr
Wood introduced Fraser
to pioneering EPG
technology and very
quickly Fraser began to
see where he had been
going wrong and how
he could correct his
speech.
However, as part of
the therapy, Fraser had
to wear a customised
EPG dental palate. He
wasn’t comfortable
with the feeling of
the palate in his
mouth, but as a
rugby player he was
used to using a gum
shield. Articulate
Instruments, a
spin out company
at QMU, which
developed the
speech dental
palate, created a
new bespoke gum shield-style palate. It was the
perfect solution.
Fraser explained: “It was the first time in my life that
anyone had been able to explain, and show me, the
cause of many of my speech problems. When I used
EPG, I could see on the computer screen what shape
my tongue was actually making on the roof of my
mouth when I tried to create certain sounds. I could
now see clearly that my tongue was not touching
the top of my mouth to create the ‘k’ and ‘g’ sound.
Sara also wore a customised palate in her mouth, and
she was able to demonstrate what shape my tongue
should be making. I could see on the screen where
my shape was different from hers. So, we worked
together to train my tongue to hit the right position
on the roof of my mouth. There was no better feeling
in the world than when we did it correctly for the first
time. I made the right sounds - then did it again, and
again. I just felt so good.”
Dr Wood worked with Fraser on a weekly basis for
about eight months. During that time, Fraser made
great progress. But to ensure that Fraser continued
to derive the most benefit from EPG, Sara taught one
of the senior pupils at Fraser’s secondary school in
Edinburgh to work with him on a daily basis.
Dr Wood explained: “The senior pupil was interested
in training to become a teacher. She was keen to
work with Fraser and help him practice each day.
Using a portable EPG training unit she monitored
Fraser’s progress outside of the clinic. I taught her a
little about EPG, showed her the patterns we were
trying to achieve and gave her exercises to work
through with Fraser. In turn, she ensured that Fraser
kept up his speech therapy with short daily sessions
during the week.
“After eight months of EPG therapy – via the school
pupil and more intensive sessions at the University
– Fraser was able to correct the speech difficulties
that were having an impact on his communication.”
Fraser recalls that period in his life, particularly
when he was studying for his Higher exams. He
said: “Sara and my school, Trinity Academy, worked
together beautifully and I am grateful to them both.
Even though I have made great progress, it is still
more challenging for me, than my peers, to study
and pass exams. However, whereas in the past it was
impossible and I felt consigned to the bin, I now know
that if I really apply myself I can experience positive
results in my homework and exams.”
Recently, Fraser and his dad were driving past QMU
and they started chatting about the good progress
that Fraser was making at university. Fraser said:
“I suddenly realised that my life had really been
transformed by the people working in the building
that we had just passed. I wanted to stop the car, go
in and say thank you!”
Fraser concluded: “I am very conscious of my
continuous progression and I now feel far more
confident about my ability to learn and do well. I
can honestly say that my experience of using EPG
has been truly life changing.” ❒
QMYOU / Health & Rehabilitation
17