New Device Gives Voice to Speech Impaired Children

Children with autism and verbal disabilities are being provided an opportunity to speak, thanks to Proloquo2go an application for iPod Touch, iPhone and the new iPad. Proloquo2go is Assistiveware's new, innovative product making waves in the augmentative speech device arena. Augmentative speech devices are not new. They've been around for years. But they've never been this affordable, high-tech or effective. Not to mention the fact that previous devices lacked the coolness that positively oozes from Apple products.

Augmentative speech devices are portable computers that speak for those that can't speak for themselves. Users type messages on a keyboard or tap pictures on a touch screen that a computer generated voice reads and announces aloud. While filling a need for a time, these devices have a history of being clunky, difficult to customize, chronic maintenance issues and bore a price tag of thousands of dollars. Adding to the challenge was the device's inability to evolve with a user's changing needs. Therefore, many users found the need to purchase multiple devices.

Proloquo2go offers voices that sound more natural as opposed to computer-generated. Through pictures, words, phrases or a combination of all three, children can finally offer insight into their silent world. For older children, removing the stigmatism of a required medical device and replacing it with a highly sought after, wildly popular Apple product levels the social playing field between them and their peers.

Proloquo2go not only advances with your child but also offers clear, concise video tutorials that make customizing ridiculously easy. Because Proloquo2go has the ability to intertwine levels of difficulty and ease, children with vastly scattered skills can depend on it to meet them wherever they are in their personal development.

Both the iPhone and the iPod Touch work extremely well, but there are some differences. The iPod Touch doesn't have a microphone so in order for the user to be heard speakers are required. The iPod doesn't have a camera but the iPhone does. Because Proloquo2go allows for immediate upload and use of pictures having a camera can be handy but isn't a necessity. Pictures can always be uploaded from a phone or camera. The iPhone seemed to be somewhat faster than the iPod though neither was by any stretch of the imagination slow.

The biggest difference between the iPhone and iPod are the ancillary charges. The phone will require the same activation and monthly fees associated with any mobile phone. Additionally, iPhone requires a monthly data plan fee that can be quite costly depending on the plan. The other issue is that the iPhone doesn't have the longevity of the iPod Touch. Currently, the iPad has not been released; but Apple states it will handle Proloquo2go as effortlessly as its related predecessors.

The Proloquo2go bundle package contains a 2^nd Generation 8 GB Apple iPod Touch, an iTunes gift card for the Proloquo2Go application, and a case with speakers that protects the device while providing high quality sound, all for $650.00. If you already own an iPod or iPhone you can purchase the Proloquo2go application for $180.00. This allows families who are unable to purchase the entire bundle package at once to buy the individual products over time, as their budget allows. It is money well spent. Not a single penny is ever wasted on the voice of a child.