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Predictive Anchoring: A Novel Interaction to Support Contextualized Suggestions for Grid Displays

Cynthia Zastudil, Christine Holyfield, June A. Smith, Hannah Vy Nguyen, Stephen MacNeil

TL;DR

This paper addresses the slow, navigation-heavy interaction of grid-based AAC displays used by children with limited speech. It proposes Predictive Anchoring, a long-press anchored overlay that suggests vocabulary matched to recently used words or context, preserving grid layout while reducing search effort. The approach combines Hick's Law-inspired decision facilitation with language development theory, including the practice of language expansions, to support faster communication and growth in linguistic ability. The work outlines design goals, a plausible system design, and plans for user studies and safety considerations, highlighting potential benefits and challenges in real-world deployment.

Abstract

Grid displays are the most common form of augmentative and alternative communication device recommended by speech-language pathologists for children. Grid displays present a large variety of vocabulary which can be beneficial for a users' language development. However, the extensive navigation and cognitive overhead required of users of grid displays can negatively impact users' ability to actively participate in social interactions, which is an important factor of their language development. We present a novel interaction technique for grid displays, Predictive Anchoring, based on user interaction theory and language development theory. Our design is informed by existing literature in AAC research, presented in the form of a set of design goals and a preliminary design sketch. Future work in user studies and interaction design are also discussed.

Predictive Anchoring: A Novel Interaction to Support Contextualized Suggestions for Grid Displays

TL;DR

This paper addresses the slow, navigation-heavy interaction of grid-based AAC displays used by children with limited speech. It proposes Predictive Anchoring, a long-press anchored overlay that suggests vocabulary matched to recently used words or context, preserving grid layout while reducing search effort. The approach combines Hick's Law-inspired decision facilitation with language development theory, including the practice of language expansions, to support faster communication and growth in linguistic ability. The work outlines design goals, a plausible system design, and plans for user studies and safety considerations, highlighting potential benefits and challenges in real-world deployment.

Abstract

Grid displays are the most common form of augmentative and alternative communication device recommended by speech-language pathologists for children. Grid displays present a large variety of vocabulary which can be beneficial for a users' language development. However, the extensive navigation and cognitive overhead required of users of grid displays can negatively impact users' ability to actively participate in social interactions, which is an important factor of their language development. We present a novel interaction technique for grid displays, Predictive Anchoring, based on user interaction theory and language development theory. Our design is informed by existing literature in AAC research, presented in the form of a set of design goals and a preliminary design sketch. Future work in user studies and interaction design are also discussed.
Paper Structure (9 sections, 2 figures)

This paper contains 9 sections, 2 figures.

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Related Work
  3. Grid Displays
  4. Just-in-Time Programming for AAC Devices
  5. Design of Predictive Anchoring
  6. Design Goals
  7. Theoretical Underpinnings that Inform Predictive Anchoring
  8. Envisioned System Design
  9. Discussion & Future Work

Figures (2)

  • Figure 1: An example grid display (source: https://grid.asterics.eu/). Users can select vocabulary using buttons with pictographs depicting the associated vocabulary (A) or navigate to other vocabulary using folders containing sub-pages of vocabulary (B).
  • Figure 2: On the left, a traditional grid display layout is described with communication options (A) and folder buttons for sub-page navigation (B). On the right, our design for predictive anchoring is shown. An overlay containing a radial display (C) contains the initial communication option the user is interested in (A) with predictions for other vocabulary they may be interested in (D). In our design on the right, the single press interaction modality of the traditional grid display is preserved, with the optional predictions provided by the long press interaction.