Proloquo2go: Anyone have experience?

[Moocher]

I have a friend with ALS who is considering this app as a communication assistant since he is losing his ability to talk. There isn't a way to get a lite version and since it costs $190 I'm a little leery of recommending it. If you have any direct or indirect experience with this app I would appreciate a response below or a pm.


Moocher

 

[ssennott]

Considering Proloquo2Go

Hello,

Samuel Sennott, co-developer of Proloquo2Go here. Proloquo2Go is an Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) app for the iPhone and iPod touch, which emulates systems costing between $4,000 and $8,000 dollars, as featured on the front page of the NY Times, http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/15/technology/15speech.html .

With considering any AAC system, it is important to have a proper evaluation. A qualified speech language pathologist is usually the best person to start with.

If you need help finding one in your location, please do not hesitate to contact me personally through macrumors pm or contact us at support@proloquo2Go.com

Anyway, long story short, good for you for reaching out. P2G, while an incredibly powerful tool, is not for everyone, so it is important to match you with the right features.

Good luck.

From, Samuel Sennott

 

[arsenalgear]

I have a friend with ALS who is considering this app as a communication assistant since he is losing his ability to talk. There isn't a way to get a lite version and since it costs $190 I'm a little leery of recommending it. If you have any direct or indirect experience with this app I would appreciate a response below or a pm.


Moocher

Hi Moocher,

First, let me say it is fantastic that you are are looking out for your friend. Having a disability myself, I know how invaluable good friends are when dealing with the challenges that accompany a serious disability. This is particularly true in finding details on potentially helpful products, as it can be extremely difficult sifting through all the info on the web and finding people who have used them. As an associate of the company that develops the software, I would be happy to help you with your question, although any followups should be directed to support@Proloquo2Go.com so that we can respond to your inquiries more efficiently.

As you know, Proloquo2Go (http://www.proloquo2go.com/) is a full-featured iPhone/ iPod touch communication solution for people who have difficulty speaking. Featuring natural sounding voices and advanced grammar technology, speech can be generated by tapping vocabulary items, typing with its built-in keyboards, or tapping recently spoken messages. All vocabulary and images are fully customizable.

Like Sam said, the first step your friend should take is to contact a local AAC or disability center and have an evaluation by a speech language pathologist to determine the best course of action. To see if there is a participating local center where he could trial, loan or receive an evaluation that includes Proloquo2Go as an option, he can check out this list of Proloquo2Go Resource Centers (http://www.proloquo2go.com/resources/). If there is no center in his area, he may contact a local AAC center and suggest that they acquire an iPod touch and Proloquo2Go and contact us to get listed. Relative to other AAC solutions, Proloquo2Go is a relatively small investment for a center to be able to serve the community and offer it as an option in evaluations, loaner programs, etc.

Again, it is important to stress that although Proloquo2Go has proven successful for many with language difficulties, it is critical for your friend to work with an SLP as there may be solutions that better suit his needs.

If your friend would like to learn more about Proloquo2Go, he should check out the following links:

4 Steps to Proloquo2Go –
http://www.proloquo2go.com/buy/article/4-steps-to-proloquo2go

About Proloquo2Go –
http://www.proloquo2go.com/About/

Introductory Videos –
http://www.proloquo2go.com/resources/article/introductory-videos

Proloquo2Go Manual –
http://www.proloquo2go.com/Manual/

Finally, if your friend would like to discuss the software with other Proloquo2Go users, he can do so on the AssistiveWare Assistive Technology Community Forum here: http://forum.assistiveware.com/

Best of luck to you and your friend,

Joe Barnick

 

[Moocher]

Thank you both for your responses. They are informative and I have passed them on.

I have no influence over whether or not, or how, my friend contacts adaptive centers or specialists. What I can do is answer questions and tell him what I know about the Touch. After spending time with AssistiveWare's site I felt I could recommend the software. What I could not do was give him any Touch enthusiasts' experience and insights into the software based on real experience. My degrees and experiences give me some credentials in the area so my opinions are worthwhile. But, I don't have direct experience with this software on a Touch. Whether he chooses to purchase or use the system and whether or not he chooses to go through an evaluation first is completely up to him and his family.

I also have a question for you. Why is there no description of the software on it's iTunes app page? I realize that those looking for it will not need one, but others who might benefit won't be able to find it or understand it within the store.

Moocher

 

[arsenalgear]

Thank you both for your responses. They are informative and I have passed them on.

I have no influence over whether or not, or how, my friend contacts adaptive centers or specialists. What I can do is answer questions and tell him what I know about the Touch. After spending time with AssistiveWare's site I felt I could recommend the software. What I could not do was give him any Touch enthusiasts' experience and insights into the software based on real experience. My degrees and experiences give me some credentials in the area so my opinions are worthwhile. But, I don't have direct experience with this software on a Touch. Whether he chooses to purchase or use the system and whether or not he chooses to go through an evaluation first is completely up to him and his family.

I also have a question for you. Why is there no description of the software on it's iTunes app page? I realize that those looking for it will not need one, but others who might benefit won't be able to find it or understand it within the store.

Moocher

Moocher,

I totally understand about your friend's decisions. We just like to make it clear that Proloquo2Go may not be the perfect solution for everyone.

That is very odd that you cannot see the description. What version of iTunes are you using? This is something we would like to look into since it is likely other people are experiencing the same issue.

This is what the description looks like in the App Store in iTunes 9.02 on Mac OS X 10.5.8.

Cheers,

Joe

 

[Moocher]

My fault. I got the proper page this time with the description. Thanks again for your responses.

Moocher

 

[arsenalgear]

My fault. I got the proper page this time with the description. Thanks again for your responses.

Moocher

Not a problem. Always happy to help.

Take care,

Joe

 

[sam10685]

Hi! I have a brain injury that prevents me from being able to speak and my hand movement is a tad off but I'm able to operate an ipod touch quite well. I was looking over proloquo2go last night and it would be an EXCELLENT option for me! I already have a computer provided by insurance that costed around 9 grand. The computer is great but it is big and sometime if I go places with lots of people, I don't even bring it-- just type text messages on my cell phone or ipod touch. I'd be willing to open my wallet right now and drop 200 dollars on this right now... just a few questions-- Is there an external speaker available that i could carry around that wouldn't add too much bulk? The speaker on the 3rd generation ipod touch is not very loud. Also, can the keyboard be used in landscape? I can use it the other way, but the bigger keyboard is much faster.

 

[Moocher]

Hi! I have a brain injury that prevents me from being able to speak and my hand movement is a tad off but I'm able to operate an ipod touch quite well. I was looking over proloquo2go last night and it would be an EXCELLENT option for me! I already have a computer provided by insurance that costed around 9 grand. The computer is great but it is big and sometime if I go places with lots of people, I don't even bring it-- just type text messages on my cell phone or ipod touch. I'd be willing to open my wallet right now and drop 200 dollars on this right now... just a few questions-- Is there an external speaker available that i could carry around that wouldn't add too much bulk? The speaker on the 3rd generation ipod touch is not very loud. Also, can the keyboard be used in landscape? I can use it the other way, but the bigger keyboard is much faster.

I recommend you spend some time on their website to see if the software meets your needs [http://www.assistiveware.com/index.php]. And, as earlier posters pointed out, it is best if you see someone who is a specialist and is familiar with the software so that you can try it out and perhaps have it customized for your use. As for a case, several users of the software seem to like this one: http://www.amazon.com/iMainGo-Handheld-Speaker-iPhone-Black/dp/B001DJJO2W/ref=pd_cp_e_1.

Please read the earlier posts from the founders of the software carefully.


Mooch

 

[sam10685]

So far it sounds and looks like it'll work for me... Wondering though... is there anyway I can hear the available voices before I buy and does it type in landscape mode?

 

[RiceRacerDX]

You may be interested in a text-to-speech application by Neospeech. Just search for Neospeech in the app store and you will find three different applications, each with their own unique voice. I think it's something like NeoPaul, NeoJulie, and NeoKatie. I got it because the company has a decent reputation in this business (they are supposedly providing Stephen Hawkings new voice software) and the best part about it is, they're all FREE.

 

[arsenalgear]

So far it sounds and looks like it'll work for me... Wondering though... is there anyway I can hear the available voices before I buy and does it type in landscape mode?

Hi there,

Proloquo2Go uses Acapela text-to-speech technology for iPhone (http://www.acapela-group.com/acapela-for-iphone-26-speech-solutions.html), and generates excellent sounding speech. The US voices are very similar to what can be heard in this demo:

http://www.acapela-group.com/text-to-speech-interactive-demo.html

We have plans to offer a landscape keyboard, but do not have a timeline that we can announce for its availability.

If you would like to stay informed of Proloquo2Go updates, you can do so by signing up for the AssistiveWare News here:

http://www.proloquo2go.com/Support/

Cheers!

Joe Barnick