Effective+Apps

There are numerous apps for the iPads all found on the [|Apple Store Website]. Some of the popular apps being used for Autistic Students are Proloquo2Go and iCommunicate. However, let me make clear that the popular apps are //not always// the best apps, so be careful as you pick and choose apps for your students or children. media type="custom" key="9285606" align="center"

In the video above, one of the students is using a very pricey DynaVox communication device, while the other student is seen using the iPad with the app Proloquo2Go. What is amazing about the iPad is that it is being used by everyone - and special education students are a large group among those people. In the [|video], Assistive Technology Specialist Dan Phillips points out that, "If you go onto the iTunes website, the fifth item down is special education links. That just shows you the power that special ed has right now on what's happening with this movement" (2011). The iPad is an up and coming assistive technology device for special education students. The iPad may seem pricey to people, but when compared to other devices such as the DynaVox or the Gus Pocket Communicator, it is much cheaper and has more capabilities. For more information of other Assistive Communication Devices and their prices check out this site - [|EnableMart - Speech Generating Devices].

**Proloquo2Go**: What is it?
Proloquo2Go is designed to "provide a full-featured communication solution for people who have difficulty speaking. It brings natural sounding text-to-speech voices, close to 8000 up-to-date symbols, powerful automatic conjugations, a large default vocabulary, full expandability and extreme ease of use to the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad" ([|AssistiveWare], 2010). To sum up Proloquo2Go, it is a communication device for anyone who might have difficulty speaking and it also serves as a device to plan a child's schedule out for them that is easy to understand. Proloquo2Go can be customized exactly to the student - with description of who they are, what they typically would say, and what they usually need. Advantages of Proloquo2Go: - User Friendly - Customizable to each student - Compact Device (via iPad, iPhone, or iPod) - Cost Effective - Alternative Schedule Disadvantages of Proloquo2Go: - Time consuming to customize the program for each student - Students may have trouble touching the screen.

iCommunicate: What is it?
iCommunicate is set up a lot like Proloquo2Go, its design is incredible! - "Create pictures, flashcards, storyboards, routines, and visual schedules. Record custom audio in any language. Converts any words with Text to Speech that do not have custom audio recorded. We include 100+ pictures(first 5 have audio) to get you started. Add pictures with your camera, or from your camera roll, or use online image search. Utilize as audio visual prompting tool or AAC device" ([|iTunes Preview: iCommuni] [|cate], 2011).

When choosing between Proloquo2Go and iCommunicate, or other text-to-speech apps, the teacher must examine what the students needs are first and foremost. The teacher also must examine how much time she has to customize the students program. Proloquo2Go can be a time consuming app to customize. There are several factors that need to be taken into consideration before an app is purchased. What is most important is how successful the student will be using the app! Getting used to a new program or software will always be frustrating, but don't give up on the iPad apps, they require learning from the teacher and the students.