Experience of proloquo2go and ipad

[cansu]

I have just become aware that this exists and have had a look at it online. Has anyone had any experience of it? MY dd (pretty much non verbal, although she can say some words) loves screen of all kinds and is very good at the whole PECs thing. I just wondered whether this would offer her more options, wider vocabulary and be less clunky / irritating than the velcro book idea. Any thoughts anyone?

[IndigoBell]

I don't know the app you asked about - but there is also this one for you to check out: www.mychoicepad.com/

I think it would help your DD very much......

[cansu]

Thanks I will have a look.

[Pixel]

Our family clubbed together at Christmas and got ds Proloquo as he loves screens and gadgets of all kinds but he refuses to use it. He's very reluctant with PECS too though so I imagine it would be much better with a child who is already keen to communicate.

[sphil]

Following this with interest as we're just about to trial this with DS2, who is verbal but only really uses single words and only to request. His speech therapist is a bit sceptical that it will work with him because his receptive language is very delayed as well - she says it works best with those whose receptive language is way ahead of their expressive speech. But Ive realised its fully customisable so am going to simplify it right down, starting with things he can already ask for, moving on to things he asks for, but not precisely, and then hopefully moving on to commenting on events, feelings etc. Atm we're seeing a lot of frustration as his awareness is outstripping his language, so Im hoping this will help.

He did very well with PECS when he was 4 - 6, but once he could ask for everything in his book with words, he stopped using it. We had no success with getting him to use it for longer sentences or commenting.

[cansu]

Sphil have you been lent one in order to trial it? I would quite like to have a good look at it and make sure it is right for dd before I splash out as it looks like costing around a thousand with all the accessories.

[AlysWho]

I have no experience, but have just read an article in the National Autistic Society newsletter 'communication'.

The iPad is reviewed as their new communication device of choice, (its lightweight easy to carry so is less intrusive; more affordable than alternatives; huge range of apps available to engage and encourage other interests; its a 'socially desirable item'.)

and proloquo2go as the prefered application.( large vocab with symbol support; highly versatile to suit range of abilities)

They have invested in these in their schools around the country.
I'd take that as a a pretty good recommendation! HTH x

[shrek99]

proloquo2go is great i got it for my daughter
it's easy to use

[silverfrog]

I haven't used proloquo2. I have used iPrompts (very scaled down version, but for scaled down cost too)

we use an ipad extensively with dd1, so any questions there and I can try to help.

iPrompts was useful for: making up visual timetables of what/where we woudl be doing; a countdown timer for when we would start/finish an activity.

I used it then with my itouch, and was fab for having on me whenever needed - so eg dd1 was phobic about escalators, and so when we went shopping, I owuld have ipod ready, and as we parked woudl pull it out, and go through a pre-prepared photo strip of what we would do (including, crucially, NOT going on the escalator). it helped.

but is not anywhere near the same as proloquo. I think saintlydame might have tried it with her ds? not sure though.

I was browsing sites/apps the other week and came across a few that might help - will try to re-trace my steps.

[silverfrog]

here is a blog discussing some of the AAC apps.

like anyhting, though, it would be useful to have user-experience of them. but there is at least a range of prices, so if you are wanting to trial whether it is a good idea or not, there are some inexpensive versions to try out first, maybe? (although ime, cheaper apps are not aways as user friendly as the more expensive ones...)

[silverfrog]

and another - a more comprehensive list, with a table highlighting features (although this is a little hard to read due to poor formatting)

[silverfrog]

oh, hang on, if you follow the link at the top of the last link I gave you get to here which is a LOT easier to follow!

[cansu]

Thanks everyone loads to look at