The difficulty in communicating naturally, through speech or writing, can impede a person demonstrating and developing his or her cognitive, social and creative abilities. This reality has been thoroughly studied, looking for more and better solutions to circumvent said limitation, using the multidisciplinary science known as Alternative and Augmentative Communication. Among the proposed solutions, some use computers as a tool to support communication. Word prediction and on-screen keyboard simulators used for writing are among such facilitators. This paper presents and discusses the results obtained when keyboard simulator were applied along with word prediction techniques based on grammatical class groups for the Portuguese language; this proposal facilitates writing production with good grammatical quality. Data obtained with adolescents with sequelae from cerebral palsy showed that the use of the software was positive, as it enhanced communication and was useful in the learning process for the Portuguese language. Broadening communication possibilities without prejudice to grammatical quality is a means of aiding in the educational process and social inclusion for people with special needs, so as to enhance social participation and improve quality of life.
Special Education; Inclusive Education; Computer Education
