Communication Sciences and Disorders and Digital Humanities have opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration because both fields use research and technology to better understand human experiences. The IDEAS project demonstrates this connection through its goal “to identify children with symptoms of an autism spectrum disorder at an early stage.” By using digital tools to analyze speech, facial expressions, and gestures, the project shows how technology can support research and practices within CSD. KIZMO’s contribution to the project, including facial-expression analysis, facial-feature recognition, and the development of algorithms, provides another example of how computational methods can be applied to communication research.
However, CSD and DH are not the same field and have different primary purposes. CSD focuses on communication sciences and disorders, including speech, language, and treatment of communication difficulties. Its research is directed for individuals with communication needs. In contrast, DHs has a much broader focus on human culture and uses digital methods to study areas such as language, literature, history, art, and other forms of human expression. DH is not primarily focused on diagnosing or treating communication disorders.
Overall, the differences between the disciplines do not prevent collaboration. Instead, they can allow each field to contribute different knowledge and methods. There are clear foundations for productive interdisciplinary collaboration between CSD and DHs, particularly when digital methods are used to better understand communication