Kevin Pitt
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Kevin Pitt, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, directs the Augmentative and Alternative Communication Translation (AACT) Lab at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. His research focuses on the development of brain-computer interface (BCI) technologies, alongside the integration of artificial intelligence (AI), and user-centered design to help create more intuitive, flexible, and emotionally responsive AAC systems.
Dr. Pitt's work aims to bridge innovation and clinical practice, by creating AAC systems that are not only technically advanced but also user-centered and accessible. Through collaborations with interdisciplinary teams, his lab investigates how personalization, symbol design, emotion-adaptive output, and other emerging technologies can enhance usability, engagement, and access for people who use AAC. His research includes the development and evaluation of display design strategies, such as visual scene displays and the use of motion, to support communication across a wide range of users, including children and individuals with cortical visual impairment (CVI).
He has received funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Science Foundation (NSF) to support this work. Dr. Pitt received his doctoral degree in speech-language pathology from the University of Kansas.
MY SESSIONS
Beyond the BCI Speller: Rethinking Pediatric BCI-AAC with Symbol Grids and Visual Scene Displays
Brain–computer interface for AAC (BCI-AAC) research has largely centered on the P300 brain signal. Many P300 BCI-AAC systems have been built around the traditional letter speller. Yet many children who use AAC communicate through symbol-based grid systems, and visual scene displays. This session explores emerging work extending P300 BCI-AAC beyond spelling to picture-based communication for children.
We will discuss work adapting P300-BCI-AAC systems to symbol-based grid layouts and visual scene displays, and how child perspectives can guide future development. The presentation will also highlight new design directions, including the potential role of animation and other engaging interface features, to inform emerging directions in pediatric BCI-AAC.