Peer-reviewed research
Word Prediction and Communication Rate in AAC
Keith Trnka et al., University of Delaware (author copy of the paper), 2008
Read the originalRead on October 16, 2026
- What it is
- A simulation study of two word prediction methods for letter-based augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems, compared with letter-by-letter entry at simulated communication rates. It asks whether keystroke savings translate into faster communication.
- How much weight it carries
- Peer-reviewed and widely cited in AAC research. Its users are AAC device users and simulated rates, so the speed gains describe a different setting from a phone or laptop. The results depend on prediction accuracy.
Facts taken from this source
- In a simulation study of AAC communication, an advanced word prediction system gave a 58.6 percent improvement in communication rate over letter-by-letter entry.
“word prediction systems can in fact speed communication rate (an advanced system gave a 58.6% improvement)” (Abstract)
- The authors of the 2008 AAC study state that the amount of benefit from word prediction depends in a complex way on the accuracy of the predictions.
“the amount is dependent in a complex way on the accuracy of the predictions” (Abstract)