Realizing Expressive Knowledge in Everyone with Communication Impairments

Welcome from our director

This is an image of Dr. Melanie Fried-Oken, a smiling woman in her 60's with short dark hair and a red jacket.

The REKNEW research group addresses the complex communication needs of children and adult groups with developmental, acquired and/or neurodegenerative disabilities. We work on many different REKNEW projects, targeting different childhood and adult groups and communication supports. Our approach is based on a philosophy of Participatory Action Research: we believe that individuals with complex communication needs should be part of our research endeavors, from the initial questions posed in a study to the dissemination of research results.

We invite you to explore our website and examine our different clinical research projects. We would be happy to discuss our work with you, whether you are interested in participating in a study, supporting us, learning about our recent publications or knowledge translation activities, or just finding out more about communication supports for adults.

~Dr. Melanie Fried-Oken

Who funds our work

Who we work with

REKNEW Projects are conducted in collaboration with various community partners as well as the following organizations:

REKNEW projects have reached out to several populations, including adults with Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA), Locked-In Syndrome (LIS) and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). We have also looked at the outcomes of training caregivers in Alzheimer’s Care Units to use communication systems with their residents.

Our technologies

Brain-computer interface systems

Our research seeks to develop an efficient and effective brain computer interface (BCI) system that will serve as a communication access method for individuals with locked-in syndrome. We strive to improve the accuracy and speed of the technology, as well as user satisfaction, for a system that can be used for functional written and spoken expression.

View more information about our BCI systems and how you can get involved in our studies

Smart Predict App for AAC Conversation

Our research seeks to develop a unique and practical Smart Prediction AAC system that exploits the physical skills, language skills, and shared world knowledge of a nondisabled co-constructor to support the AAC user. By examining message generation from a co-construction perspective, we are reimagining the concept of AAC conversation and the turn-taking paradigms that are standard in this rehabilitation field, and may offer the field of AAC an innovative and unique way to improve communication effectiveness in complex communication dyads.

View more information on our Smart Predict system and how you can get involved in our studies

Upcoming events

Latest news

March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month

A preview image of a factsheet about Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC).

The REKNEW Projects research lab is dedicated to helping children and adults with developmental disabilities find their own ways to communicate, using whatever method is best. As AAC researchers, we celebrate Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. This is the time when we raise awareness about developmental disabilities, and inform the public about the many different ways in which people communicate. We would like to share some AAC facts with you that form the foundation for our work. Thank you for your interest and support.

Download our Fact Sheet on AAC