Proloquo2Go is an AAC application used in conjunction with a "high-tech" device such as an iPad or iPod touch. This application allows a user to communicate using speech output. This communication medium is accessed using a touch screen and a combination of pictorial symbols to represent meaning. It allows users to start conversations, participate in them, and answer questions. First and foremost, it allows individuals to communicate their basic needs and wants. Secondly, it gives people new ways to express themselves, sometimes revealing the knowledge and emotions that have been silenced for years. In addition to these, Proloquo2Go:
- Supports functional spontaneous communication
- Facilitates access to social information
- Facilitates inclusion at home, school, and community
- Facilitates greater independence in the home, school, and community
- Facilitates access to literacy experiences
- Reduces frustration
- Facilitates an improved sense of self concept
Proloquo2Go was featured on a CBS News 60 Minutes segment on children with autism. It shows examples of how Proloqu2Go and other AAC apps are having an impact on the lives of children with special needs and their families.
The Proloquo2Go application is top-rated and includes features such as text-to-speech, word prediction, and a recent banked phrases section for spontaneous communication. It does come with a price close to $200 dollars, but users agree it's worth it! In the following table I will compare Proloquo2Go with other applications, weighing the strengths and downfalls of each.
A Comparison of AAC Applications for the iPad/ iPad Touch
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Application
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Cost
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Client
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Features
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Downfalls
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Proloquo2Go
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$189
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A full-featured AAC application for people who are non-verbal or have difficulty speaking.
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- natural sounding text-to-speech voices
- default vocabulary of over 7000 items
- advanced word prediction
- high resolution and up-to-date symbols
- great for all ages
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- only available in American, British, and Indian English
- price
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OneVoice
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$199
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This is a great app for non-verbal students and adults and is very user friendly. It is a simple and focused application with a reasonable number of levels for ease of use.
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Supports over 20 languages
- easy to understand
- designed for usability
-includes a pre-populated vocabulary (based on children)
- can easily add own phrases and photos
- 5 high quality voices
- allows full customization
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- price
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TapToTalk
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FREE plus $1.99 for TapToTalk photo uploader
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This is best for students with cognitive and severe physical disabilities who are attempting communication for the first time.
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- Simple and easy to use
- one-cell communication application
- great for first time communicators
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- not comprehensive enough for students with large vocabularies or conversational use
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Speech Button
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FREE with $1.99 charge for full features
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This app was created to help individuals who are non-verbal or have difficulty speaking to communicate their basic wants and needs.
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- clear vocal quality
- gender neutral child’s voice
- created by a school psychologist and an SLP
- can be used as a springboard to more complex speech generation applications
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- pre-programmed vocabulary
- limited vocabulary with a focus more on basic needs and wants/behaviour problems
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GoTalkNow
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$79.99
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This is an easy-to-use yet powerful app for individuals who are non-verbal or have difficulty speaking.
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- created by a company with 25 years years of AAC experience
- adjustable page layouts - customizable navigation - recorded and text-to-speech capable - included symbol set - full feature scanning - many other exciting features! | |
TapSpeak Button Plus
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$49.99
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This is the modern equivalent of a mechanical switch that records and plays messages. It is used for basic teaching and communication. Great for SLP's!
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- similar to a single phrase switch device but has many phrases to choose from and only requires one tap of the on-screen "button"
- 4500 symbol library - adjustable screen response | |
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