This book draws on the recent remarkable advances in speech and language processing: advances that have moved speech technology beyond basic applications such as medical dictation and telephone self-service to increasingly sophisticated and clinically significant applications aimed at complex speech and language disorders. The book provides an introduction to the basic elements of speech and natural language processing technology, and illustrates their clinical potential by reviewing speech technology software currently in use for disorders such as autism and aphasia. The discussion is informed by the authors' own experiences in developing and investigating speech technology applications for these populations. Topics include detailed examples of speech and language technologies in both remediative and assistive applications, overviews of a number of current applications, and a checklist of criteria for selecting the most appropriate applications for particular user needs. This book will be of benefit to four audiences: application developers who are looking to apply these technologies; clinicians who are looking for software that may be of value to their clients; students of speech-language pathology and application development; and finally, people with speech and language disorders and their friends and family members.

The Aphasia Therapy Workshop brings together leading experts in the field of aphasia to address current approaches to aphasia rehabilitation. The topics in this special issue include: 1) Functional communication: Social models and psychosocial approaches 2) Technological advances : Computer - based approaches 3) Aphasia therapy duration: best when intensive and prolonged? 4) Cognitive neuropsychological approaches 5) (Psycho-) Linguistic approaches 6) Beyond language - cognitive aspects of language therapy The papers reflect the variety of approaches to treatment of aphasia and provide the reader with an update on the most current advances in our theories and practice of aphasia rehabilitation.

The Aphasia Therapy Workshop brings together leading experts in the field of aphasia to address current approaches to aphasia rehabilitation. The topics in this special issue include:

1) Functional communication: Social models and psychosocial approaches

2) Technological advances: Computer - based approaches

3) Aphasia therapy duration: best when intensive and prolonged?

4) Cognitive neuropsychological approaches

5) (Psycho-) Linguistic approaches

6) Beyond language cognitive aspects of language therapy

The papers reflect the variety of approaches to treatment of aphasia and provide the reader with an update on the most current advances in our theories and practice of aphasia rehabilitation.