He overall objective of OLP was to develop and test an integrated computer-based system to supplement conventional speech therapy.
More detailed objectives were, in roughly chronological order:
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to recruit client groups and collect databases for the study;
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to provide visual feedback mapping instantaneous acoustics onto position on a trainable, two dimensional "phonetic map";
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to offer a range of trainable automatic speech recognition tools providing evaluative feedback to the client and an interface to speech technology;
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to allow Objectives #2 and #3 to be tailored to the needs of a client group or an individual;
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to provide an interface allowing this customisation to be performed easily by the therapist;
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to make this software available for use off-site as telemedicine; and
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to evaluate OLP with respect to clients and therapists.
For a person with a speech disorder, OLP helps create correct speech patterns, provides individualised motivating feedback and an interface to assistive technology, and allows continuation of therapy outside a clinical setting. For the speech therapist, OLP is a valuable tool supplementing speech therapy by facilitating teaching of speech patterns, providing objective client evaluations, and by allowing remote supervision of therapy thus leaving time for more patients.