by Margaret Edwards, MA, MEd, CCC-SLP (Speech-Language Pathologist); NWACS Board Member
reading time: 4 minutes
The views expressed in this post are that of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of NWACS. No endorsement by NWACS is implied regarding any device, manufacturer, resource, or strategy mentioned.
If you are an AAC lover, then you are likely familiar with the company called AssistiveWare. They are one of the leading AAC app developers. The company started in 2000, and in the year 2009, they released their first AAC iOS application called Proloquo2Go. Even though this was more than 12 years ago, the day I first learned of this app is very clear in my mind. Why? Because finally there was an AAC application that could be used on an iPad. For many, this was life-changing because the cost of an iPad and AAC application was far less expensive than a comprehensive dedicated AAC device from a company.
AssistiveWare went on to release several other apps that support many types of learners. Several months ago, they began to advertise their newest apps called Proloquo and Proloquo Coach. They advertised it as being ‘the next generation of AAC’. I was immediately curious. What could this app offer that was so significantly different from Proloquo2Go? What were the unique features? And finally, why were the names so similar?
You can go to the AssistiveWare website and find several blog posts that explain Proloquo and how it supports AAC users. If you are finding yourself short on time (like most of us), I’ll give you a quick overview and comparison of Proloquo and Proloquo2Go.
App Feature
Proloquo
Proloquo2Go
Robust vocabulary
yes
yes
Efficiency (easy access to core words)
yes
yes, depending on grid size
Grid size choices
no - this app is one grid size with a home screen of 48 buttons with symbols and 12 text-only buttons
yes
Category folders
yes & no - Prologuo uses 9 tabs that allow access to additional core and fringe words; there are also traditional ‘folders’ for categories such as food, etc.
yes
Grammar support
yes
yes
Voice options
yes
yes
Related words feature
yes, this is a very nice feature that really sets this app apart; for example: when the word ‘friend’ is activated, the word-only columns on the far right includes ‘buddy’, ‘BFF’, ‘pal’, etc. (*see photo below)
no
Search feature
yes
yes
Companion app
YES! In my opinion, the companion app (called Proloquo Coach) makes Proloquo more user-friendly for families. You can only get this companion app with Proloquo.
no
Variety of languages
no - English only
yes
Annual subscription
yes - the subscription allows you to share the app with others such as teachers, grandparents, etc.
no
(Image is a screenshot of the Proloquo app after the ‘people’ button has been activated. It shows color-coded buttons in the top two rows. Under these two rows are buttons with words and pictures such as people, person, friend, mom, dad, and baby. The far-right column has associated word buttons such as buddy, mate, etc. without symbols.)
The Proloquo App comes with a separate companion app called Proloquo Coach. It includes topics such as “Starting Proloquo With Your Child” and “Learn About AAC”. Under each of these topics, the user can go through a series of training sessions. There is a support tab that allows the user to send a message directly to AssistiveWare and a usage tab that shows a weekly graph of how often the Proloquo app was used. It appears as though the user must go through each training in the order in which they are presented. I wanted to skip around but wasn’t able to do so.
Overall, the Proloquo app is pretty impressive. I like the static core words and also the column feature that is used alongside certain folders. I appreciate the core words that do not have symbols. Trying to represent words such as ‘but’ and ‘because’ in pictures is very difficult. I like the solution to just omit the picture altogether. While this might be challenging for certain users, others will likely appreciate the simplicity of just the word. It is so important to have choices with AAC apps, and AssistiveWare has done a great job in providing a bit of variety to already existing options.
As with all AAC apps, I would caution providers to first experience this app before recommending it to an AAC user. Fortunately, AssistiveWare has made this easy by offering a free one-month trial. As an SLP, I was able to get the Proloquo and Proloquo Coach apps at no cost for one full year.
So now that you have a bit more information about the new Proloquo app, let’s go back to the name. I started my research for this blog by first searching for the definition of the word proloquo. When Proloquo2Go was introduced, I thought I read that the word proloquo meant something in a different language. If you know, can you please comment below and tell me the meaning and what language this word might be? Thank you!
