Speech Generating Device (SGD)

What is an AAC speech generating device (SGD)?

"Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) is a term used to describe any mode of communication used to support and/or replace natural speech, such as...electronic speech-generating devices (SGDs)" (Griffiths, Price, & Bloch Clarke as cited in Luckins & Clarke 2021). Moreover, Luckins and Clarke state that "for children with minimal or no intelligible speech, and for whom use of gesture and signing is severely restricted by significant physical limitations, high dependence on the use of aided AAC systems, particularly SGDs, provides clear theoretical and clinical rationale for intervention" (p. 131). For these children, SGD use supports linguistic development, and provides a bridge between language understanding and their capacity for expression (Griffiths et al., as cited in Luckins & Clarke 2021).

With the proliferation of iPads, Proloqu2Go has paired its software provide greater access and affordability of SGDs to this popuation of aforementioned children. One recent study (Lorah et al. (2014) of significant importance "discovered that the iPad™ and application Proloqu2Go as a SGD are effective for the acquisition of tacting (labeling) in a complete sentence, as well as, discrimination between picture icons and sentence frames, for young children with ASD or developmental disability."

Therefore, these findings demonstrate the critical impact an SGD, such as Ipad/Proloqu2Go, may have on a child that presents with cognitive, motoric, and language deficits.

Who may benefit from its use?

Children with:

Apraxia
Down Syndrome
Intellectual Disabilities
Cerebral Palsy

Evidence-Based Practice

According to Tegler et al. (2018) several studies reveal that "findings on communication with [speech communicating devices] SGDs show promising results from single-subject and case studies of children with developmental disabilities or autism communicating with SGDs (Sevcik et al., Rispoli et al., and Schlosser & Koul, as cited in Tegler et al., 2018, p582). In addition, they affirm that "communication with SGDs has the potential to promote social relationships, enhance participation, increase independence and promote inclusion in learning within the school curriculum, given that there are supportive communication partners (Kent-Walsh et al., Light et al., Ballin et al., Rispoli et al., and Caron & Light as cited in Tegler et al., 2018, p. 582). As such, SGDs may be of great help in supporting children with special needs across different developmental domains, including language, speech, and social relationships.

Objective

By December 2023, when provided a clinician's model on his SGD, John will identify and use four-word phrases that include adjective + noun + verb + object phrases through the use of his SGD with 80% of opportunities given min verbal, gestural, and physical cues as needed across 5 consecutive sessions as measured by SLP data collection.

Activity & Materials

iPad
SGD (Proloquo2Go) Software
Language Activity
Data Sheet
Farm/Food Plastic Toys

Functional Language Program for Children Activities

-The Functional Language Program for Children contains an array of activities that teach children how to use language effectively. According to Foster et al. (1973) these activities use words (i.e., adjective, noun, verb, object phrases) that are considered "critical elements" to a child's functional communication (p. 5).

Plastic Toy Food

Big and Small Plastic Toy Animals

Prompt Hierarcyhy & Data Tracking Sheet

Data Tracking

Speech and Language Therapy Data Collection Sheet Freebie by Speechy Musings (teacherspayteachers.com)

Teaching Resources & Lesson Plans | Teachers Pay Teachers

Suggested Prompt Hierarchy:

Independent (requiring only wait time)

Tactile (tap)

Partial Physical (push)

Physical Prompt (Hand over hand)

Reference

Select an iPad. (n.d.). Retrieved December 21, 2022, from https://www.apple.com/ipad-select/

Faulk, J.P. (2012). Functional Language Program for Children. p. 5,44, Austin, TX. PRO-Ed, Inc.

Foster, R., Giddan, J., & Stark, J. (1973). Assessment of children’s language comprehension (ACLC). Palo Alto, CA: Consulting Psychologists Press, Inc.

Lorah, E.R., Parnell, A., Speight, D.R. (2014). Acquisition of sentence frame discrimination using the iPad™ as a speech generating device in young children with developmental disabilities. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 8(12), 1734-1740. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rasd.2014.09.004

Luckins, J. M., & Clarke, M. T. (2021). Can Conversation-Based Intervention Using Speech-Generating Devices Improve Language in Children With Partially Intelligible Speech? Communication Disorders Quarterly, 42(3), 131–144. https://doi-org.csumb.idm.oclc.org/10.1177/1525740119880299

Proloquo2Go - AAC app with symbols. (n.d.). Retrieved December 21, 2022, from https://www.assistiveware.com/products/proloquo2go

SpeechyMusings. (n.d.). Login: Teachers pay teachers. Retrieved December 21, 2022, from https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/FreeDownload/Speech-and-Language-Therapy-Data-Collection-Sheet-Freebie-2125576

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