Local boy gets voice through unlikely technology

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May 24, 2010

Local boy gets voice through unlikely technology

When the makers of iPod said they have " an app for that " , they weren't kidding.

A new application however could be the best one yet especially for a local child

who's never had much of a voice.

Romeo Fridley is a nine-year-old of few words. Not by choice, more so because

of his condition.

" There's times that he gets so upset because we don't understand him, " says Rita

Fridley, Romeo's mother.

Romeo is autistic and suffers from apraxia of speech - a disorder that makes it

difficult for a person to get their words out clearly. In Fridley's case he is

taking therapy.

" Currently when he tries to express himself verbally it's very frustrating for

him so he might have a tantrum and then the rest of his day is difficult.

People are trying to calm him down, " says Scarfe, Fridley's speech

therapist at Carilion Roanoke Community Hospital.

But Romeo's days of tantrums could be numbered thanks to the iPod touch and a

new program that makes communicating a click away.

The program is called the Proloquo2Go and is compatible with iPads, iPhones and

the iPod touch. Along with the equipment, the total cost (including the

program) can run a couple hundred dollars.

Fridley's parents weren't able to afford the device so imagine their excitement

when a grant from the Virginia Independent Automobile Dealers made it possible.

The association gives money to the Ladies Auxiliary. A local chapter of the

auxiliary grants wishes of handicapped and developmentally disabled children

each year.

Traditionally patients with speech difficulties have been able to rely on

another machines to express themselves. However they are much bulkier and

harder to tote around.

" It's too heavy for him (Romeo) to walk out on the playground with this. It's

not realistic. Now that he has the iPod touch he can have it on his arm he can

run around and play, he can fall down, " says Scarfe.

Fridley who just turned nine in April knows what an iPod is according to his

mother; however, he doesn't fully grasps the concept of the new gift he's been

given. When he does, she says he may never stop talking and frankly, that's

fine with her.

" Since we haven't heard him talk, just little words once in a while, we are

ready, " says Rita Fridley