TinyEYE opens new window for speech therapy: interactive software developed by a Saskatchewan company to assist speech language

Overwhelmed by too many cases, too much paperwork, too much travel and too little time--it's a feeling most people can relate to.

For 100,000 or so speech language pathologists in North America, whose job is to treat speech, language and swallowing disorders, this feeling is a widespread and well documented problem that, inhibits access to therapy and contributes to professional burnout.

Saskatoon-based, TinyEYE Technologies Corporation, decided to do something about it. The computer software company was founded by Greg Sutton, inspired by the plight of his sister, a speech language pathologist in Guelph, Ontario.

The company's online application connects pathologists with their clients through any computer with a web browser, sound card and camera.

TinyEYE spent more than a year researching the market and technology platforms, says Sutton.

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A stand-alone application is available commercially, which can be customized for therapists and institutions. Additional modules are in development.

"It's a dream come true," says Sutton's sister and company co-founder Marnee Brick.

The kids really like the therapy sessions, they practice between sessions and the parents become involved in the therapy, she says, resulting in more effective therapy and higher discharge rates.

Removing the geographical boundaries that limit access to therapy has been one of the biggest challenges of the profession.

"And now, we've made that possible," she says.