1/31/2024 0 Comments Proloquo platform![]() "They don't have an eye/hand coordination problem like with a mouse. "Especially kids with autism have this instant attraction to the iPad," says Niemeijer. Children with ASD are no different, and in fact, may derive even more benefits. It's become increasingly clear over the last five years that many children have an instinctive feel for touchscreen technology and the apps that come with it. "And in fact, traditional devices would often stay in the classroom, so the child going out to the playground or canteen would not have access to communication." ![]() "For someone like Ruby, having an iPod touch in her hand while in gym class works a lot better than taking an expensive computer in," he says. Niemeijer is keen to stress that the video of Ruby shows the impact the app has had for one specific child – "we don't claim that our app is the only option: there are cases when one of our competitors might be a better choice" – but he says it reflects the impact of putting AAC technology on consumer devices rather than more expensive, specialised hardware. It can be customised by parents to suit their child's age, abilities and interests. The app shows on-screen buttons for words and phrases, which are tapped by its users to form sentences that are spoken by the app. Proloquo2Go launched for iPhone and iPod touch in April 2009 – the latter device is possibly more important than the former for children with ASD – before extending onto iPad in 2010 when that device went on sale. "In 2009, only a thousand of those devices sold in England, but there have been estimates that there are around 300,000 people in England that could actually benefit from having this technology." "In the past, there were very expensive devices that might cost £3k or £5k," he says. The company has been making desktop AAC software since 2000, but spotted an opportunity in Apple's App Store when it launched in 2008. It's a striking video, so I talked to chief executive David Niemeijer to find out more. One of the developers making these apps is AssistiveWare, which came to my notice with this YouTube video about a six year-old girl called Ruby, and her use of its Proloquo2Go augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) app on an iPad. Speak with your individual therapist regarding the need for in clinic versus virtual sessions.It's also a day to consider the way smartphone and tablet apps are being used by people with ASD and other complex communication needs, including cerebral palsy, down syndrome and developmental disabilities. Although we currently have a hybrid model –some children benefit more from virtual sessions. In the video below, you will see our AAC specialist – Alex Koller -highlighting the benefit of using a telepractice platform for AAC therapy. We will teach ALL modes of communication and work with each family to find the modalities that are most empowering for each child. Our bottom line at Playworks is – everyone deserves a voice. In some cases, the communication device is a BRIDGE to verbal speech and is only used for a time to improve intelligibility and give the child access to communication. When children receive more visual input from their device, or picture symbol, they frequently use MORE verbal speech because of the benefit of multi- modal learning. For example, if they are using picture symbols, sign language, or high tech devices (such as LAMP or ProLoQuo), we also encourage speech, gestures, and vocalizations. Over time, the use of AAC may change, although sometimes very slowly, and the AAC systems chosen today may not be the best systems tomorrow.Īugmentative and alternative communication (AAC) describes multiple ways to communicate that can supplement or compensate (either temporarily or permanently) for the impairment and disability patterns of individuals with severe expressive communication disorders.” At Playworks, we do not put any limitations on our clients. AAC is truly multimodal, permitting individuals to use every mode possible to communicate. AAC incorporates the individual's full communication abilities and may include any existing speech or vocalizations, gestures, manual signs, and aided communication. AAC is used by people who, some or all of the time, cannot rely on their speech.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |