New Technology Helps Assist Clients
For those struggling with oral speech production because of certain conditions such as cerebral palsy or autism, communication can be a daily challenge. Clinical educators and Speech-Language Pathology students at the Speech-Language Institute (SLI) of Salus University offer a new means of communication for clients struggling with verbal speech through the addition of two augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) technologies – ProLoquo2go and GoTalk 20+.
According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), AAC refers to “all forms of communication (other than oral speech) that are used to express thoughts, needs, wants, and ideas.” Both ProLoquo2go and GoTalk 20+ allow users to select various symbols to form phrases and sentences. SLI staff and students model how the devices work for their clients and how they utilize them in therapy sessions.
Clinical educator Trish Martin Mayro, MA, CCC-SLP, believes the devices are assets to SLI’s treatment options and help promote more productive sessions for the clients.
“These devices are so helpful because there are many clients both young and old who don’t have vocal abilities,” she said. “These devices get communication happening and help reduce frustrations. They can also help families better understand members who struggle to communicate vocally.”
ProLoquo2go is an award-winning app preprogrammed with more than 10,000 words and offers three vocabulary levels: basic communication, intermediate core and advanced core communication. Users can select various categories of symbols they would like to see such as “People,” “Food,” and “Places,” among others, and then select different symbols to construct a response. After their selections, the device will speak the chosen phrase aloud. SLI now has the app loaded onto two iPads on-site. According to Martin Mayro, ProLoquo2go is beneficial for clients on the autism spectrum, with cerebral palsy and adults who have previously had strokes.
GoTalk 20+ is similar to ProLoquo2go, but it utilizes a physical, grid-like electronic device rather than an iPad to function. GoTalk 20+ uses interchangeable templates with 20 programmable buttons. One can select a symbol and record the phrased associated with it. SLI creates custom templates for the device in order to ensure clients have access to the words they need. Users select the buttons they would like to say and the device speaks their choices aloud. Martin Mayro said this device is mainly used for their pediatric clients and those with motor difficulties as it is more durable than an iPad and offers a tactile experience for the user.
SLI is committed to providing clients with a wide variety of treatment options, including incorporating the latest technology available. Learn more about SLI’s treatment options here.