Self-induced dysarthria game

Abstract

A self-induced dysarthria game that forces communication of specially-chosen phrases or performance of other common or humorous tasks involving use of the cheeks or lips despite an induced speech impairment, so that players inevitably experience initial failure but must compensate to win. Game play may involve individual competition or team play. A mobile software application for enabling game play is also disclosed.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application derives priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62 / 347,919 filed 9 Jun. 2016.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention[0002]The present invention relates generally to games and, more specifically, to a game in which contestants draw cards and attempt to communicate phrases or complete other physical challenges despite wearing a cheek and lip retractor.2. Description of the Background[0003]Dysarthria is a motor speech disorder resulting from neurological injury of the motor component of the motor-speech system and is characterized by poor articulation of phonemes. Dysarthria makes it very difficult to pronounce words. People with normal speech tend not to understand such impediments and, if not intolerant, are completely ill-equipped to deal with the impediment.[0004]Dysarthria is treated by speech language pathologists using a variety of techniques. Traditional treatments try to correct defic...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention is a method for playing a game that causes speech impairment in players. The game requires them to communicate with each other or perform other tasks while struggling with speech difficulties. This results in initial failure but ultimately forces players to compensate to win the game. The method is designed to be comical, engaging, and entertaining, with play value.

Problems solved by technology

Dysarthria makes it very difficult to pronounce words.

People with normal speech tend not to understand such impediments and, if not intolerant, are completely ill-equipped to deal with the impediment.

Indeed, by using a mechanical device to induce an impediment and requiring a subject to move their lips or pronounce certain phrases, communication of those phrases or completion of certain “simple” tasks is nearly impossible until the subject learns to adapt and compensate.

Their speech becomes nearly incomprehensible and it may be impossible or very difficult to properly perform other common tasks like drinking water from a glass.

Meanwhile, listeners trying to interpret the impaired speech become frustrated, begin shouting out guesses, which in many instances are unabashed and overly creative.

In the short term the process is difficult, frustrating, awkward, and emotional.

Images