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The Children's Institute of Pittsburgh Partners with DynaVox Technologies
Partnership to Explore How the Use of Speech Technology Affects Learning for Students with Autism

PITTSBURGH, PA – October 29, 2007 - The Center for Students with Autism, part of The Day School at the Children’s Institute of Pittsburgh, and Pittsburgh-based DynaVox Technologies today announced a unique research partnership designed to accelerate learning and increase functional communication for students with autism by combining innovative teaching methods with high-tech speech communication technology.

The Autism Communication Project is a joint initiative to provide students with autism who are also challenged by significant speech disabilities the tools and structure needed to achieve both socially and in the classroom. The Day School employs a range of teaching strategies from the Verbal Behavior Approach to teaching children, a component of the Principles of Applied Behavior Analysis. This evidence-based approach to teaching is new to The Day School’s autism program and is designed to help students achieve in a variety of settings. DynaVox Technologies is providing select students, who are unable to communicate effectively due to the effects of autism, with dynamic display, synthesized communication devices. These devices complement current teaching methods and provide a means to communicate in a framework that supports established daily learning activities and encourages participation.

Commenting on this partnership, Bill Bauer, Med, CRC, The Day School director, said, "As leaders in the field of education for students with autism, we're happy to have an opportunity to explore new and promising methods that may benefit our students. Partnering with DynaVox Technologies on this project gives us the chance to work with an organization that has demonstrated consistent interest in thinking 'out of the box' and developing new and better ways for individuals to communicate."

Linnea McAfoose, MA, CCC-SLP, a speech-language pathologist and clinical product manager at DynaVox Technologies commented, "It’s very exciting to be a part of this project. These students face many challenges, but they also have a lot to offer the world around them. By combining cutting-edge teaching methods with cutting-edge technology, we are providing them the best possible combination of tools to enable learning, communication and achievement."

Expected outcomes of this research project for the students involved include:

• Increased independence and communication initiation,
• Increased engagement in the classroom and participation in learning activities,
• Improved social communication at school, home, and in other settings,
• Increased rate of communication, and
• Increased ability to manage environmental changes and support successful communication to reduce challenging behaviors.

"We are delighted to be working with The Day School at the Children’s Institute on this project," said Jim Shea, vice president of marketing at DynaVox Technologies. "The ongoing research will not only be a great help to the students involved and their families, but the results will, hopefully, accelerate the development of comprehensive teaching and learning tools tailored specifically to the autism population and help a greater number of students in the coming years."

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About The Children’s Institute

Established in 1902, The Children’s Institute is an independent, non-profit, licensed organization in Pittsburgh that provides a comprehensive approach to pediatric rehabilitation through The Hospital, The Day School and Project STAR. The Hospital includes an 82-bed inpatient unit and numerous outpatient rehabilitation services for children and young adults. The Day School is an Approved Private School for children ages 2 to 21 with neurological impairments, including autism. Project STAR promotes the right of all children, especially those with physical, emotional and intellectual disabilities, to grow in a safe, nurturing, lasting family. For more information about the Children’s Institute, visit www.amazingkids.org.

About DynaVox Technologies

DynaVox Technologies pioneers speech communication technology, giving an opportunity for a better life to the millions of adults and children around the world challenged by significant speech, language and learning disabilities caused by conditions such as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig's Disease), stroke, traumatic brain injury, cerebral palsy, Parkinson's Disease, autism and mental retardation. Driven by a strong entrepreneurial culture, the company applies proprietary and third-party technologies, and applied research efforts to deliver a broad range of speech communication hardware and software tools, and offers an extensive customer support program, which enables individuals and their families to access the latest technology and reimbursement counsel regarding the company's suite of products. For more information about DynaVox, visit www.dynavoxtech.com.

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