ASD Resource Review: Proloquo2go

  Proloquo2go is an augmentative and alternative communication (ACC) tool that is used to support and enhance one's receptive and expressive communication needs (Collette, et al., 2019). The application is an AssistiveWare that runs on Apple products, maily iPad’s, and is distributed through the Apple Store (https://www.apple.com/itunes/). In order to do so, Proloquo2go offers features including symbols, visual support, voice output, and touch screen input through the application once downloaded on an iPad  (Alzrayer, et al., 2019). Proloquo2Go provides the user with over 8,000 default symbols, and photographs can be organized in a variety of ways to express customized sentences, stories, schedules, cues, and messages with high-quality voice output (Sennott & Bowker, 2009). Additionally, it allows its users to choose from 100 voices, ranging from friendly adult voices to genuine children’s voices and bilingual voices.

  This app benefits various individuals, including teachers, families, and children with exceptionalities, specifically with ASD, as it allows one to use customized pictures, words, folders, and phrases for immediate and gratifying communication (Sennott & Bowker, 2009). Many individuals with ASD have difficulty developing language skills and understanding what others say to them. Additionally, they may also have difficulty communicating nonverbally, such as through hand gestures, eye contact, and facial expressions (Bennett, et al., 2019). This being said, through the use of the application, Proloquo2go eliminates the various communication boundaries that many individuals with ASD struggle with on a daily basis (Collette, et al., 2019) Proloquo2go allows individuals with ASD to obtain their voice and thus their identity, by enabling them to clearly and effectively communicate their thoughts, moods, emotions, and feelings.  Direct Quote from Academic Study:  “When the...

 

  The benefits of Proloquo2Go, would be the communication aspect it brings to students with exceptionalities in the classroom and the user friendly software. When using the software, students with ASD were able to respond to academic opportunities, with less support than they would have with either no technology. This technology can help students with ASD enhance academic occupational performance, through being able to communicate with voice output and a variety of response choices (Collette et al, 2019, p. 143). Proloquo2Go offers students with features such as symbols, visual supports, voice output, and touch screen input, which allows students with ASD to communicate their needs both receptive and expressive. On the app pictures, words, folders, and phrases can be customized to benefit teachers, families and children using it so communication can be immediate. Proloquo2Go can be customized by sentences, stories, schedules, cues, and messages and have a clear voice output. The be...

  The application can be used as a constant support for students with ASD, both inside and outside of the classroom. Furthermore, in Collette’s (2019) study, it was stated that “The iPad appears to enhance classroom activity performance, adding opportunities for voice output and a variety of response choices (p. 148).

  Proloquo2Go is accessible for students with various exceptionalities, such as hearing, verbal, social interaction and language/communication impairments, with an emphasis on supporting individuals with ASD (Kleinstiver, 2017). There are some obstacles that individuals may face when it comes to the operation of the application. More specifically, in order to operate Proloquo2Go, they have to learn how to activate symbols efficiently, navigate through pages, combine multiple symbols, and select the target symbols that convey the message the individual wants to communicate (Collette, et al., 2019). This may take some time and support for individuals to comprehend, which may bring with it various anxieties and or frustration towards the use of the tool.  This app for the iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch can be purchased for approximately $350, without the cost of the iPad. This aspect contributes to the drawbacks of the application, as it may not be accessible for students with SES ...

  When it comes to the wide range of users across disciplines, including teachers, caregivers, social workers and the individuals who directly use the device, there could be room for potential improvements that incorporate a strong line of communication between these individuals. It is important that the device is being appropriately and effectively used in a consistent manner, therefore if Proloquo2Go implemented an additional communication aspect so various people can communicate through the app, it may benefit its usefulness and effectiveness.  Furthermore, after reading various reviews, some improvements may point toward “bugs” that could be fixed in order to increase the application speed and glitches that occur. Additionally, there have been recent improvements to the application. The new Proloquo2Go 7.5.2 includes some small bug fixes plus: Full grammar support for gender-neutral pronoun inflections, accompanied by a new gender-neutral symbol New female superhero symbol...

  Support & Help  Although the application may be difficult for caregivers, teachers and students to get used to, there are support groups that aim to help individuals on their ACC journey. SPecifically, there are Facebook groups for this community, where you can discuss and share tips about the app and AAC. Join AssistiveWare’s Teachers and therapists AAC community Join AssistiveWare’s Family members AAC community Join AssistiveWare’s Adult AAC users community Proloquo2Go has support sites, which include:  Proloquo2Go support materials Tips to get started with Proloquo2Go There are also various blogs that help individuals get started  Getting started with Proloquo2Go An overview of the Do's and Don'ts of AAC

Alzrayer, N., Banda, D., & Koul, R. (2019). The Effects of Systematic Instruction in Teaching Multistep Social-Communication Skills to Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder Using an iPad. Developmental Neurorehabilitation, 22(6), 415–429. Bennett, S., Dworet, D., Gallagher, T. L., & Somma, M. (2019). Special education in Ontario schools. (8th ed.). St. David’s, ON: Highland Press. Collette, D., Brix, A., Brennan, P., DeRoma, N., & Muir, B. (2019). Proloquo2Go Enhances Classroom Performance in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder. OTJR (Thorofare, N.J.), 39(3), 143–150. https://journals-sagepub-com.proxy.library.brocku.ca/doi/pdf/10.1177/1539449218799451 Kleinstiver, K. (2017). Proloquo2Go, an augmentative and alternative communication application for the iPad®: Examining its effectiveness. ProQuest Dissertations Publishing. Sennott, S., & Bowker, A. (2009). Autism, AAC, and Proloquo2go. SIG 12 Perspectives on Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 18, 137-145.