About
Proloquo2Go is an Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) app developed by AssistiveWare, designed for individuals with speech and language disabilities such as autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, or aphasia. It uses a symbol-based interface to help non-speaking and minimally-speaking users express themselves, build vocabulary, and develop language skills at their own pace. The app is grounded in clinical research and natural language acquisition principles. It features a core vocabulary system that mirrors how children naturally learn language, growing from simple symbol selections to more complex sentence construction. Vocabulary sets are fully customizable to match the user's communication needs, interests, and motor abilities, with support for grid-based and visual scene displays. Proloquo2Go is widely used in schools, therapy settings, and at home, making it a trusted tool for speech-language pathologists, educators, parents, and caregivers. It supports bilingual communication and offers a range of voices so users can have a personalized and dignified means of expression.
Key Features
- Symbol-Based Communication: Users communicate by selecting symbols that generate spoken output, enabling non-verbal and minimally-verbal individuals to express thoughts, needs, and feelings effectively.
- Natural Language Development Model: Vocabulary and interface design are structured around how language is naturally acquired, supporting users from early communicators to advanced language users within a single app.
- Fully Customizable Vocabulary: Caregivers, therapists, and educators can tailor vocabulary sets, layouts, and symbols to match individual communication goals, interests, and physical abilities.
- Research and Clinically Grounded: Built in collaboration with speech-language pathologists and backed by user research, ensuring features align with best practices in AAC therapy and communication development.
- Bilingual and Voice Personalization: Supports multiple languages and offers a range of synthesized voices, allowing users to communicate in their preferred language with a voice that feels personal and dignified.
Pros
- Clinically Validated Approach: The app's design is rooted in established language acquisition research, making it a trusted choice among speech-language pathologists and educators worldwide.
- Scalable for All Communication Levels: A single app accommodates beginners through advanced communicators, eliminating the need to switch tools as the user's language skills develop.
- Deep Customization: Extensive options to personalize vocabulary, page layouts, symbol sets, and access methods (touch, switch, eye gaze) make it adaptable to a wide range of user needs.
- Widely Supported in Educational Settings: Proloquo2Go is accepted and used across schools and therapy clinics, making collaboration between home and professional environments seamless.
Cons
- High Upfront Cost: The app carries a significant one-time purchase price (approximately $249.99), which may be a barrier for some families without insurance coverage or funding support.
- iOS/macOS Only: Proloquo2Go is exclusive to Apple devices, limiting access for users who rely on Android or Windows-based hardware.
- Steep Learning Curve for Customization: While powerful, fully configuring the app to a user's specific needs can be time-consuming and may require guidance from a trained speech-language pathologist.
