In this video from the Cerebral Palsy Foundation [United States], Dr Howard Shane from Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School discusses different ways people can communicate without relying on speech alone. These may include pointing or looking at letters, eye-gaze technology, head-controlled pointing systems and speech-generating devices.

The video highlights the importance of finding a communication system that suits the individual and supports communication that is natural, efficient and meaningful. Finding the right communication system can help people who do not use speech, or whose speech is difficult to understand, express themselves and connect with others.