AAC Augmentative and alternative communication
"Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC): 1) The supplementation or replacement of natural speech and/or writing using aided and/or unaided symbols...The use of aided symbols requires a transmission device. 2) The field or area of clinical/educational practice to improve the communication skills of individuals with little or no functional speech."
(Lloyd, L.L., Fuller, D.R., & Arvidson, H.H. (1997) Augmentative and Alternative Communication: A handbook of principles and practices. Boston: Allyn and Bacon. pg 524)
Hardware - the physical device
Software - the AAC program you want to use
Operating System - the intermediary between the physical device and the (AAC)software you want to run
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Okay, this isn't what I was intending to write, I was hoping to write a short list of apps for the iPod or iPad which work in Greek (or other languages), but after some googling and chatting with Christos I now have a worse headache than yesterday and need to write things down in basic steps. This old dog doesn't learn new tricks easily.
The recent flurry of excitement in AAC is largely, completely, due to the release of the iPod and iPad, in conjunction with AAC software that will work on it. It's a cheap touch screen device. The quality and complexity of software available varies as does price.
Proloquo2go - $189.99 (139.99 euros)
Look2Learn -$24.99
Tap to Talk - basic app is free (I'd call it a free trial personally, there are not many phrases or choices), but, to create your own library you buy an on line yearly subscription for $99.95. It was originally designed to work on Nintendo by the way (and still does)
There is a run down of apps at TLMSN, it was written last year so there have been some changes and additions, one to note is possibly Sounding Board which is from Ablenet, an assistive tech company.
So back to my problem, finding something that works in Greek, well, it's a small market, there are no apps for iPod available with a prerecorded Greek voice, so forget that idea. Some apps have a voice recording options so you can laboriously change all the spoken words to Greek, which is what we have been doing.
The most complex and flexible app, Proloquo2go, is only available in English, and does not have a record your own voice option. It may be available in other languages eventually but unlikely to be Greek. They are not developing it for other operating systems.
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So back to why we all want an iPod, it's a cheap touch screen with apps for AAC (that are also relatively cheap). But what you pay for is what you get. Also, you know, I like the iPod, it looks nice.
You can do the same thing with an Android if you have the apps, but as it has a different operating system you can't use apps for iPod and vice versa unless they have been developed to do so. (this is probably really basic stuff to most people but I'm old. And a Luddite).
Voice4u works on both.
Cheap touch screen, software that works with operating system.
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Dedicated devices.
Yesterday, during my googling phase I saw the new Dynavox and started drooling (even though computers aren't my thing)
The Dynavox Maestro is cool. I want one. I mean Dimitri needs one. Fat chance, no price tag on the website, I know it's in the 1000's.
So what is it. An expensive touch screen, with a few specifically adapted features, that runs on a Microsoft operating system. Plus software that runs on a Microsoft operating system.
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Software
Software
Boardmaker has been developed for both Microsoft and Mac (but I believe the OS for a mac pc and the iPad are different, no? So it runs on a Mac pc but not iPad - and still waiting for Mac tablet computer). It cost $749 -$865
The Grid 2 as far as I know works on Windows. Cost 360gpd $570(?)
The Grid 2 is the only software which has been partially translated into Greek
Languages available here. Sorry, I don't know what languages Boardmaker and other software are available in, too tired to Google any more.
There are other software options available, these are just two. Just giving an idea of cost.
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So given that the Grid 2 is the only option for a more complex AAC software in Greek, I just need to find a hardware it will work on.
Dedicated device from Zygos with the Grid 2 costs $4250. Hardware on it's own $2650. EH?(and the Zygos operating system is an old Microsoft XP or some such thing)
or I could just wait for new touch screen tech to become available and add the software myself?
Asus Eee pad $409.00 from Amazon
The Grid 2 $570
Total $979
iPad from $499
proloquo2go $189.99
total $688.99
iPod from $229
look2learn $24.99
voice4u $29.99
stories2learn $13.99
(plus whatever future purchases in ever increasing number of small apps which turn out to be, sometimes useful to a degree, and sometimes useless.)
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Ah.... still confused.
6 comments:
Thank you!
Yes, that Dynavox is drool-inducing----
I don't think we're going to get ProLoquo2Go yet as I don't think Charlie would use al the icons. Even though he of course uses English, I like to record things in my or my husband's voices anyways!
Though it is tedious. I got a major headache trying out to the MyTalkTools as i had to create all the images in iPhoto and then create sound files in GarageBand and then upload everything......... currently am in hiatus (also due to having gotten 2 successive colds, one from Charlie) and about to see my 1 month free trial of My Talk Tools expire.
Maybe I should just learn to write my own software!
I am beginning to sense that the complexities of AAC are similar those of (assistive and augmentive) mobility equipment. You both have my admiration (and sympathy - if it is taken well) for the work - write your own software indeed!
I promise to forward anything I think looks useful - note "I think" makes the offer of questionable value. Barbara
Hi There,
My name is Joe Barnick and I am a member of the support team at AssistiveWare, the developer of Proloquo2Go. We just wanted to let you know that we hope to roll out a Greek localization of Proloquo2Go sometime in 2011. In addition, we also plan to add audio recording and playback in a future update. If you have any questions about Proloquo2Go, please feel free to email us at Support@Proloquo2Go.com.
Cheers,
Joe
Kristina - I guess the recording wouldn't be so bad if my pronunciation was better...I've been thinking that the process of buying and trying out different programs to find that one which isn't to simple or isn't to complicated could end up costing more than just buying a dedicated device, I don't know.
I keep hinting to my husband that he might come up with something better, but recently his interest has turned from commputers to cycling (he's become a "M.A.M.I.L" - middle aged man in lycra)
Hope you are all feeling better.
Barbara - yeah, it is complex. The road should be smoothed if you have access to SLP's experienced in AAC and a school which has devices that can be used to assess appropriateness for your child, but you probably know better than me the access and bureaucratic problems there.
Joe Barnick - hi, thanks so much for your interest and reply. It will certainly be great if there is a Greek version of Proloquo2go in the future. I was doubtful as there is very little available in Greek as it is (1 software), it's a small market, not much profit...
Because of the lack of AAC available in Greece many people like myself are hopeful that the iPad and iPod could open up a new road in communication, so I will remain hopeful.
Thanks again.
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