University’s invention will help treat speech problems

Children with speech problems could be set to benefit from a device designed in the Capital which detects their tongue movements.

An artificial palate, connected to a machine to monitor where the tongue lands on the roof of the mouth during speech, then shows an image, so the user can see patterns in speech.

Known as electropalat-ography, it is to be taken into schools to map the speech of six to 12-year-olds with Down’s syndrome.

It was designed by researchers at Queen Margaret University, led by speech and language therapist Dr Sara Wood.

She said: “If people are struggling to communicate effectively, this can affect their educational progress.”