any ASD mom here using the talking app proloquo2go

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Maya's mom here.

With keyguards and/or other assistive gear (modified gloves, etc) access to small buttons can be attained for many users, although I would concede possibly not all. Targeting is much easier for a new user, who will have a small number of widely scattered buttons open.

A great deal of research supports the huge impact that motor planning has on learning of all kinds. The large button premise is really falling off in favor of core word layout, which is why even P2G added a core-word layout a few years back.

I agree that every user has unique strengths, but think it's so important for parents and professionals to consider the long term needs of the user. It stink to begin with something simple and then switch it out . . . better to invest in something that can last literally for the duration of the user's needs.

Both SFY and LAMP: WFL operate according to many of the best practices principles, although (in my opinion) SFY has some stand out features that make it a better option.

Hi Maya's mom!

How cool is it that you saw this and came here. I'm the PP above, and I really love reading your blog, and watching the video on your site. I'm also a special educator, who has worked with kids who use AAC. Your daughter is absolutely adorable, and you write about her so wonderfully.

I'm not dissing SFY, I'm really not, but I work with very little kids, and have in the past worked with teens and adults who have waited far too long for communication (although to be clear, I haven't worked with this population since apps became popular). In both of those populations, for different reasons, you sometimes see individuals who don't automatically come to a device and realize that the marks on the screen are what is important. Sometimes you need to set up situations where individuals communicate "accidentally" by hitting a large button so you can provide reinforcement, and teach them that the marks have power, before you move on.

The nice thing about living in these times, and not 20 years ago when I began in this field, is that with apps replacing devices, it's much more feasible to buy something to use for a few months while a user gets a key concept, even if it's outgrown quickly. A child who might benefit from large buttons or a very limited 1 touch = 1 word system at 14 months, might be very ready for SFY at 2. A 40 year old who has never been treated as a communicative partner, never been listened to, and has half a lifetime of neglect to overcome, might need something very easy until they learn that they have a voice, and someone's listening, which will provide the motivation for them to do the difficult work of focusing on smaller pictures, or tolerating a stylus, or allowing some hand over hand support.

That's just my experience, but it leads me to feel pretty strongly that the "best" system is the one that's right for a specific user, and that that decision is best made with the user and the people who know him/her best (e.g. parents, other caregivers) driving the process.

[Anonymous]

"That's just my experience, but it leads me to feel pretty strongly that the "best" system is the one that's right for a specific user, and that that decision is best made with the user and the people who know him/her best (e.g. parents, other caregivers) driving the process."

Amen to that

I would also add that whatever system is introduced should be crafted to mimic the motor planning principle as much as possible!

[Anonymous]

(Oops---that last post was from me, Maya's mom. I'm not used to not having my name pop up with stuff.)