Researcher
Dean Sutherland, PhD
Senior Lecturer
School of Psychology, Speech and Hearing
University of Canterbury
Current Research
I am passionate about supporting adults with complex movement and communication difficulties – and the people who they communicate with. My research has focused on alternative communication techniques, use of assistive communication technology, and communication partner knowledge and skills.
My latest study focused on supporting adults with complex motor and speech difficulties to be able to have access to effective communication options. The study included testing a voice-banking protocol and voice donors and creating ‘Kiwi-accented’ voices that can be used on a variety of speech-generating communication systems for people who rely on these devices to communicate.
A publication from this study entitled “Voice Banking to Support People Who Use Speech-Generating Devices: New Zealand Voice Donors’ Perspectives” can be viewed here.
Relationship to MND
Many people with motor neuron disease experience difficulty speaking – with many becoming unable to speak. They are candidates for using alternative and augmentative forms of communication. Accessing augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems with limited motor movement requires ‘alternative access’ methods (e.g., eye gaze) and also skilled communication partners (e.g., family and/ or caregivers).
Future Research
I am always interested in speaking with people with MND, students, clinicians, and researchers about collaborating on future research to better understand the communication needs and developing effective communication supports for people with MND.
Collaborations
Dr Catherine Theys, Senior Lecturer, School of Psychology, Speech and Hearing, University of Canterbury (no current collaborative projects)
Publications
Westley, M., Sutherland, D., & Bunnell, H. T. (2019). Voice Banking to Support People Who Use Speech-Generating Devices: New Zealand Voice Donors’ Perspectives. Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups, 4(4), 593-600.
Contact
E: dean.sutherland@canterbury.ac.nz
P: 03-369-5090
