Signs - David Master

Davide Nicolas de Martinis

About this app

David Master Signs is an innovative mobile app for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), designed to support children and adults with communication difficulties. The Application provides an interactive glossary of signs conveyed via micro videos, with the primary objective of optimizing the expression, understanding and social participation of users.

The idea was born from the clinical experience of Dr. Davide de Martinis, a licensed psychologist, expert in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and specialized in Augmentative and Alternative Communication (CAA). The signs derive from the clinical observation of children with motor disabilities, favoring executive simplicity and structural elementaryness to minimize the motor and cognitive load. This makes the system accessible to a wide clinical user, shifting the focus to communication as a universal skill.

The adoption of the ABA-VB methodology (Skinner, 1957) promotes psychosocial inclusion by teaching functional communicative behaviors. Learning is gradual, starting from primary needs, with measurable objectives. Behavior analysis guides individualized teaching, with correction procedures based on positive reinforcement. The acquisition of signs to express needs, desires and emotions is crucial for autonomy and interpersonal relationships. The section for professionals outlines an individualized approach to inclusion.

David Master Signs makes use of the neuropsychological correlates of gestural AAC: left linguistic lateralization, involvement of Broca, Wernicke, motor/visual cortices and the mirror system. Requires visuospatial working memory and executive functions. Continuous use induces synaptic plasticity to optimize communication. Neurobiological understanding is crucial to clinical AAC.

Clinically Relevant Features:
- Search for the desired term: Intuitive interface with video for quick access to signs, reducing cognitive load and facilitating participatory communication.

Target Clinical Population:
- Children and adults with expressive, linguistic and communication disorders (neurodevelopment, acquired neurological pathologies, language disabilities).
- Caregivers, educational and clinical staff (speech therapists, neuropsychologists, occupational therapists).

Design and Usability in Clinical Optics:
The simple and intuitive interface (UDL, Rose & Meyer, 2002) makes the app accessible to users with different cognitive and technological profiles, minimizing operational barriers.

Contextual Facilitation:
David Master Signs facilitates inclusive communication in educational, rehabilitation and socio-relational contexts:
- Family Context: Improves mutual understanding, reduces barriers to the expression of needs and emotions, promoting family participation.
- Educational Context: Supports school inclusion, participation in activities and interaction with peers (PEI).
- Rehabilitation Context: Aid for linguistic stimulation, social skills and emotional regulation.

Clinical and Ethical Objective:
Optimize communication and promote ethically guided psychosocial inclusion, reducing isolation, enhancing autonomy and promoting social, educational and work participation, respecting individual dignity and choices.

The project is promoted by the Lovaas Study Center, a non-profit organization involved in applied research, training and the dissemination of evidence-based tools for inclusion. For years, the Center has stood out for its active role in clinical and psycho-educational innovation to support families, professionals and school contexts.