Re: Proloqou VS Taptotalk

February 2, 2011

I've been researching the communication programs for Taptotalk versus

proloquo2go. These 2 seem most similar to PECs and most likely to grow with

Darwyn's needs. I know other parents are considering these, so I have some

questions and thoughts to share.

It seems the Tap2talk might be better for starting simple and then getting more

complex as Darwyn (6) grows up - also it seems relatively easy to use our own

photos or the PECS pictures he already knows. We have to pay $100 every year

(forever) to alter his " albums " , on the other hand it seems his " albums " could

be used on a Nintendo or ipad or iTouch or even more than one at a time. Also I

suppose if I didnt need to add anything for a year, we would not pay - but I

assume he's going to need new vocab every year. Tap2talk seems very versatile

and we don't lose it if he breaks the iPad.

On the other hand it seems if we download Proloquo, we can just get going right

away (although it looks rather more complex than he can handle yet. I'm assuming

I can simplify it easily. Has anyone simplified proloquo by removing most of

the options so its not overwhelming?

However, it seems that when (and I mean when, not if) the ipad is broken, we

lose the app and all. our alterations? Has anyone transferred proloquo from one

iPad to another or to an iTouch? I can imagine paying twice, but not having to

redo all the alterations.

Also, I saw some youtube videos where the proloqou seemed to freeze if not

tapped properly. We need a program that will take improper tapping (and some

licking)! Has anyone used either of these and had results like this? Or any

comments?

Lastly, are there any groups that anyone found that are particularly useful on

this decision? I looked online, but didn't find much useful (but I'm not a great

searcher). I'm looking for a comparison of the two programs. I'm betting some

speech therapy student is writing a thesis on this - anyone have that

connection?

Thanks,

February 3, 2011

Is verbal victor an IPAD app?

>

> Hi ,

>

> I don't know what stage Darwyn is at, but we just got verbal Victor for Aden

and

> it's actually working great. It's very basic but lets you add any picture you

> want and then you record your own words. Aden figured it out in less than 5

> minutes. And the best part is that it only costs $6.99 so it won't cost an arm

> and a leg to try out.

>

> Hope that helps,

>

> Mom to Aden 7 (DS, ASD, ADHD) and Aren 4

>

> ________________________________

>

> To:

> Sent: Wed, February 2, 2011 12:47:13 PM

> Subject: Re: Proloqou VS Taptotalk

>

> Â

> I've been researching the communication programs for Taptotalk versus

> proloquo2go. These 2 seem most similar to PECs and most likely to grow with

> Darwyn's needs. I know other parents are considering these, so I have some

> questions and thoughts to share.

>

> It seems the Tap2talk might be better for starting simple and then getting

more

> complex as Darwyn (6) grows up - also it seems relatively easy to use our own

> photos or the PECS pictures he already knows. We have to pay $100 every year

> (forever) to alter his " albums " , on the other hand it seems his " albums " could

> be used on a Nintendo or ipad or iTouch or even more than one at a time. Also

I

> suppose if I didnt need to add anything for a year, we would not pay - but I

> assume he's going to need new vocab every year. Tap2talk seems very versatile

> and we don't lose it if he breaks the iPad.

>

> On the other hand it seems if we download Proloquo, we can just get going

right

> away (although it looks rather more complex than he can handle yet. I'm

assuming

> I can simplify it easily. Has anyone simplified proloquo by removing most of

the

> options so its not overwhelming?

>

> However, it seems that when (and I mean when, not if) the ipad is broken, we

> lose the app and all. our alterations? Has anyone transferred proloquo from

one

> iPad to another or to an iTouch? I can imagine paying twice, but not having to

> redo all the alterations.

>

> Also, I saw some youtube videos where the proloqou seemed to freeze if not

> tapped properly. We need a program that will take improper tapping (and some

> licking)! Has anyone used either of these and had results like this? Or any

> comments?

>

> Lastly, are there any groups that anyone found that are particularly useful on

> this decision? I looked online, but didn't find much useful (but I'm not a

great

> searcher). I'm looking for a comparison of the two programs. I'm betting some

> speech therapy student is writing a thesis on this - anyone have that

> connection?

>

> Thanks,

>

February 3, 2011

This might be a good app, but i thinkthere are some bugs for IPAD users. (See

most critical reviews before purchasing and see if those are things you can live

with). Still wondering if 'my son' needs an aat app since his language has

started dramatically improving with diet and sign language helps. (of course,

speech therapy)

>

> Haven't heard of it before - I'll check it out too. Thanks

> Sent on the TELUS Mobility network with BlackBerry

>

> Re: Proloqou VS Taptotalk

>

> Â

> I've been researching the communication programs for Taptotalk versus

> proloquo2go. These 2 seem most similar to PECs and most likely to grow with

> Darwyn's needs. I know other parents are considering these, so I have some

> questions and thoughts to share.

>

> It seems the Tap2talk might be better for starting simple and then getting

more

> complex as Darwyn (6) grows up - also it seems relatively easy to use our own

> photos or the PECS pictures he already knows. We have to pay $100 every year

> (forever) to alter his " albums " , on the other hand it seems his " albums " could

> be used on a Nintendo or ipad or iTouch or even more than one at a time. Also

I

> suppose if I didnt need to add anything for a year, we would not pay - but I

> assume he's going to need new vocab every year. Tap2talk seems very versatile

> and we don't lose it if he breaks the iPad.

>

> On the other hand it seems if we download Proloquo, we can just get going

right

> away (although it looks rather more complex than he can handle yet. I'm

assuming

> I can simplify it easily. Has anyone simplified proloquo by removing most of

the

> options so its not overwhelming?

>

> However, it seems that when (and I mean when, not if) the ipad is broken, we

> lose the app and all. our alterations? Has anyone transferred proloquo from

one

> iPad to another or to an iTouch? I can imagine paying twice, but not having to

> redo all the alterations.

>

> Also, I saw some youtube videos where the proloqou seemed to freeze if not

> tapped properly. We need a program that will take improper tapping (and some

> licking)! Has anyone used either of these and had results like this? Or any

> comments?

>

> Lastly, are there any groups that anyone found that are particularly useful on

> this decision? I looked online, but didn't find much useful (but I'm not a

great

> searcher). I'm looking for a comparison of the two programs. I'm betting some

> speech therapy student is writing a thesis on this - anyone have that

> connection?

>

> Thanks,

>

February 4, 2011

I was wondering if school has refused to provide him with a device? The

reason I am asking is that you mentioned he will break the Ipad. The Dynavox

devices and probably others are made to withstand the treatment they are going

to get, and I can say that since my son got his first device before turning 3,

and he experiences a lot of frustration at school, his devices have been thrown

many times. It does not happen much anymore, but did a lot. He has a Vantage

Lite now and had a Dynavox prior. We use that as the main device.

I also have an Ipod with Proloquo for when we are out. It is complicated-and my

son is very good with picture word power making up to 8-9 word sentences and

sharing whole ideas. I have not been able to figure out how to organize Prolo.

We are using it situationally, so when we are going somewhere that we want the

freedom of not carrying the bigger device I set up the pages for that place.

And he has " my spaces " set up with his people, places, toys, etc. Because he

uses word power, I think I am going to wait for the Ipod/Ipad app that has word

power-which I think will be called Chat talk -not sure.

I worry about durability with the Ipad, and we are getting him his own device,

not school systems, thru insurance and decided to go with the Dynavox Maestro.

But I like the Ipod to keep in my purse so he always has something.

Hope this info is helpful-and not more confusing.

Pam

> > ________________________________

> > From: Nash <cathynash@>

> > To:

> > Sent: Wed, February 2, 2011 12:47:13 PM

> > Subject: Re: Proloqou VS Taptotalk

> >

> > Â

> > I've been researching the communication programs for Taptotalk versus

> > proloquo2go. These 2 seem most similar to PECs and most likely to grow with

> > Darwyn's needs. I know other parents are considering these, so I have some

> > questions and thoughts to share.

> >

> > It seems the Tap2talk might be better for starting simple and then getting

more

> > complex as Darwyn (6) grows up - also it seems relatively easy to use our

own

> > photos or the PECS pictures he already knows. We have to pay $100 every year

> > (forever) to alter his " albums " , on the other hand it seems his " albums "

could

> > be used on a Nintendo or ipad or iTouch or even more than one at a time.

Also I

> > suppose if I didnt need to add anything for a year, we would not pay - but I

> > assume he's going to need new vocab every year. Tap2talk seems very

versatile

> > and we don't lose it if he breaks the iPad.

> >

> > On the other hand it seems if we download Proloquo, we can just get going

right

> > away (although it looks rather more complex than he can handle yet. I'm

assuming

> > I can simplify it easily. Has anyone simplified proloquo by removing most of

the

> > options so its not overwhelming?

> >

> > However, it seems that when (and I mean when, not if) the ipad is broken, we

> > lose the app and all. our alterations? Has anyone transferred proloquo from

one

> > iPad to another or to an iTouch? I can imagine paying twice, but not having

to

> > redo all the alterations.

> >

> > Also, I saw some youtube videos where the proloqou seemed to freeze if not

> > tapped properly. We need a program that will take improper tapping (and some

> > licking)! Has anyone used either of these and had results like this? Or any

> > comments?

> >

> > Lastly, are there any groups that anyone found that are particularly useful

on

> > this decision? I looked online, but didn't find much useful (but I'm not a

great

> > searcher). I'm looking for a comparison of the two programs. I'm betting

some

> > speech therapy student is writing a thesis on this - anyone have that

> > connection?

> >

> > Thanks,

> >

February 4, 2011

Hi Kathy,

I've come to the understanding that it doesn't matter what device our kids get

to help them communicate.....it's the quality of the training that they get to

use it.

We were fortunate enough to start Drew out on augmentative communication at the

University of WI. There they tested him on many devices until they found one

that suited his needs. They decided that the Vantage was the best for him &

immediately started weekly sessions (1 day per week for 1 hour) to teach he & I

how to use it. The University allowed us to borrow one of their devices until

the Beckett program approved us & paid for his own device...so there was

never a time that he was without it once the training started. Every week I took

the information we had learned back to his school & showed his teachers, ST &

aides what we had learned. The company that makes the Vantage (Prenke Romich)

have support staff in every region that will come to hold teaching session for

the school staff, which we took advantage of once a month. From there, we used

the Prentke Romich website to come up with ideas for lesson plans, books to make

(mostly

about Drew, his favorite subject), and even games that could be played using

the device. They have a wealth of info for all of their devices on the website,

and for every stage of learning, so we were never without ideas to keep his

interest growing.

All was going great until we moved to St. Louis 2 years ago, and the new school

was not prepared for Drew or his device. I brought 2 large plastic totes with

all of his learning materials so that they wouldn't have to start over, but due

to ST changes, a maternity leave for his SE teacher, and the normal change of RE

teachers, the info was ignored in the shuffle. They dumbed down his device so

that they could learn it, but he then lost interest in it in the process. We've

changed schools 3 times in 2 years, trying to find the proper support he needs,

but he still continued to shut-down & lose interest in his Vantage. It was then

that I decided to try the i-pad, primarily due to the Pro2go app, because I

thought it would make him want to use a device again.

The current school is teaching him on the device, but he is back to using it

only for basic info. The problem is the Pro2go app is soo new that the district

is " testing " it this year, & they felt Drew was too young to be part of the test

group. The instruction on the Pro2go website is pretty basic, and there are no

lesson plans or ideas for how to use it in a school environment. So it is up to

me, his SE teacher & PT to come up with ideas for lesson plans & programming.

I'm using the info & materials from Prentke Romich to help us through it. But

the i-pad is soo much easier to use than the Vantage (i.e. 1 button says a

complete sentence for Drew, whereas he was used to pressing 3 or more to make

the same sentence on the Vantage). He is just starting to show interest in

using it at home, but only because I have put some of his favorite movies on it

to reward him with when he uses it to communicate. There are NUMEROUS teaching

apps that we have

also put on it, like letter tracing, counting/number sequences, books that read

to him & highlight the words being spoken, & classifying objects, etc. All of

them are FUN to look at (he's very visual) and also respond with positive

accolades when he does something right (another plus). But I still feel like

the training process is lacking, and only wish Pro2go had the support that

Prentke Romich gives.

Lastly, when we purchased the i-pad for Drew I also bought the extended warranty

for it & then added it to our homeowners insurance just in case something

happens to it. I haven't had a problem with the Pro2go app freezing, so am not

sure if that problem is widespread.

Here are my suggestions for you, before you decide upon the device you want your

son to use:

1. Have him properly tested by an EXPERIENCED augmentative device

facilitator.2. Have him tested on numerous devices & make sure he LIKES it

before you decide upon the device. 3. Make sure the device you decide upon has

continuing support & training for your son, for you, and all of your son's

school staff.4. Make sure your son's school staff is ready for the challenge!

Have it written in his IEP that they are required to continue on-going training

on his device & that they are responsible for making his lesson plans. The IEP

should also include how much time he spends on the device for educational

purposes & how much for basic communication needs, with exact goals for what is

expected . Also include in the IEP that you should be consulted/aware/trained

of everything they plan to teach him on it. 5. But make sure YOU are the only

one programming the device....you don't want everyone having access to doing it

as the info needs to be

concise & from one person's thought process.

If I think of anything else I've learned he HARD WAY, I will pass it on. Good

Luck. Drew started on the Vantage when he was 7. He will be 13 in 2 weeks, and

is less verbal now than he was at 7. Oh the lessons we learn.....guess that's

why this group is soo important!

I wish you GREAT SUCCESS. Let me know how it goes!

GerryMom of Drew, almost 13, DS/ASD & speech apraxia

February 4, 2011

Sorry, I got soo caught up writing about Drew in my post that I didn't answer

the most important question....

You only pay for the Pro2Go once. It transfers onto my mac & iphone, so I have

it on all 3. It also reminds you to update itself, which is a BIG PLUS (sure

wish the Vantage did that!).

Is there a college/university nearby that has a strong Speech Department? If

so, Augmentative Communication will be part of their curriculum, & they should

have up-to-the-minute info on everything new on the market along with the

pros/cons.

February 5, 2011

Thanks for the detailed information Gerry. My husband and I have been

considering purchasing an iPAd ( or seeing if the school would provide one) for

my 7 year old son, Liam.

Liam currently has a SpringBoard Lite that travels to school and back but it's

not getting much use presently. The device really help push Liam over the " Wall

of frustration " of communicating as he wouldn't even try to verbalize before it.

Initially, the SpringBoard was used (~year and a half ago) but everyone has

backed off of it, including us here at home, since Liam has had this jump in

speech. We are all at a place that is requiring " more " , whether help in knowing

how to use his device at Liam's new level or needing to jump to using something

else. Liam is verbalizing but understanding him is another matter so he still

needs some sort of way to communicate his needs and wants at times. He is

capable of full sentences but using his current device has become cumbersome

plus everyone encourages him to speak b/c that's the only way he will improve

his articulation and that's what we ultimately want for him.

Anyway, I am leaning towards the iPad now just because of all the other

capabilities it offers on top of the speech programs. I just want the school on

board with it as I want it incorporated into his educational program at school.

Thanks for the great IEP ideas as well.

Marie, mom of Liam, 7, DS/PDD/Celiac

and Owen,4,??

>

> Hi Kathy,

> I've come to the understanding that it doesn't matter what device our kids get

to help them communicate.....it's the quality of the training that they get to

use it.

> We were fortunate enough to start Drew out on augmentative communication at

the University of WI. There they tested him on many devices until they found

one that suited his needs. They decided that the Vantage was the best for him &