About
Proloquo is AssistiveWare's next-generation Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) app designed for individuals who are unable to speak or have significant speech difficulties, including those with autism, cerebral palsy, ALS, aphasia, and other conditions. It provides a symbol-based and text-based communication system with built-in text-to-speech voices, allowing users to build sentences by selecting vocabulary symbols organized into customizable boards. The app includes word prediction, grammar support, and a large core vocabulary to help users communicate efficiently across everyday situations. Proloquo Coach is a companion application aimed at the caregivers, speech-language pathologists (SLPs), parents, and educators who support AAC users. It offers guided learning modules, strategies, and coaching content to help communication partners implement evidence-based AAC practices — teaching them how to model language, expand vocabulary use, and foster communicative growth in the people they support. Both apps are built for Apple platforms (iOS and iPadOS) and are designed to work together as an ecosystem. Proloquo succeeds the widely adopted Proloquo2Go, retaining its robust symbol library while introducing a modernized interface, improved navigation, and smarter vocabulary organization. Together, Proloquo and Proloquo Coach address both the user's communication needs and the support network around them.
Key Features
- Symbol-Based AAC Communication: Users can select from a large library of symbols organized into intuitive vocabulary boards to construct sentences and communicate in real time, with natural-sounding text-to-speech output.
- Customizable Vocabulary Boards: Caregivers and therapists can tailor vocabulary, categories, and layouts to suit each individual's communication needs, skill level, and personal context.
- Word Prediction & Grammar Support: Built-in word prediction and grammar assistance help users communicate faster and more accurately, reducing the number of taps needed to form complete sentences.
- Proloquo Coach Companion App: Proloquo Coach provides guided training modules and evidence-based strategies for SLPs, parents, and teachers to effectively support AAC users in developing communication skills.
- High-Quality Text-to-Speech Voices: The app includes a range of natural-sounding voices across different ages and accents, giving users a personalized and expressive communication experience.
Pros
- Comprehensive AAC Ecosystem: The combination of Proloquo and Proloquo Coach addresses both the end-user's communication needs and the support network around them, making it a holistic AAC solution.
- Evidence-Based Design: Both apps are developed in collaboration with speech-language pathologists and are grounded in established AAC research, ensuring clinical credibility.
- Highly Customizable: Vocabulary boards, symbols, voices, and layouts can be extensively personalized to match individual communication profiles and evolving needs.
- Trusted by the AAC Community: AssistiveWare has a long history in AAC (previously Proloquo2Go), giving the platform a strong reputation among therapists, educators, and families worldwide.
Cons
- iOS/iPadOS Only: Proloquo and Proloquo Coach are exclusively available on Apple devices, limiting access for users on Android or other platforms.
- High Cost: As a specialized professional AAC application, Proloquo carries a significant price tag compared to general-purpose apps, which may be a barrier for some families without insurance or funding support.
- Learning Curve for New Users: Setting up and customizing the app for a specific user's needs can be complex and typically requires involvement from a speech-language pathologist for optimal implementation.
