Dynavox = Clueless?

Dynavox's stock price has taken a nose dive of late. Sales are down.

For the 13-weeks ended October 1, 2010, net sales were $21.6 million or 11% below net sales of $24.3 million during the 13 weeks ended October 2, 2009. Sales of the Company's speech generating devices declined 8% from the prior year to $17.2 million, and sales of its special education software declined 22%, to $4.4 million, for the first quarter of fiscal year 2011.

They blame lack of government money in a time when government spending is through the roof.

The Company believes that reduced domestic government funding, and particularly more constrained state and local government funding of school budgets, is adversely affecting its product sales in the United States.

How about this? Dynavox won't let me purchase the software to run on a computer or other device which would be a huge benefit for us. We have touchscreen computers and laptops at our house that my daughter loves and it would be great if we could run the Dynavox software could be used elsewhere.

They seem a tad oblivious to the fact that iPads and similar devices are on the verge of cleaning their clock and providing superior products at a fraction of the cost. Wake up, Dynavox. You make your money on the durable devices, drop the paranoia about your software.

First Then Visual Schedule

First Then Visual Schedule - Good Karma Applications

First-Then visual schedule application is designed for caregivers to provide
positive behavior support for those with communication needs. This application provides an affordable and convenient audio-visual prompting tool for use on the iPhone or iTouch. The portability of the iPhone and iTouch and ease of use of the application make it perfect for use at school, home or in the community.


















Visual schedules provide positive behavior support through the use of
images that show daily events(i.e. morning routine or therapy schedule) or steps needed to complete a specific activity, (i.e. using the restroom).
For individuals with communication needs, developmental delays, spectrum disorders or those who benefit from a structured environment; visual schedules serve to increase independence and lower anxiety during transitions through different activities. Visual schedules help set a
child up to be successful with clear expectations by promoting understanding
of upcoming events.

















First-Then application is unique in that it is completely customizable. User
can *record their own voice*, *add their own images* from their computer or
iPhone camera, or simply use images from the application’s stock library to create a schedule. This customization allows the application to be unique to the user and their needs. This also allows for schedules to be created “on-the-go” to help transition through unexpected changes in a routine.

First Then Visual Schedule - Good Karma Applications

Apps4Autism: iCommunicate (iPod, iPad, iPhone)

iCommunicate - Grembe Inc.




iCommunicate - Grembe Inc.

Kick that Dynavox to the Curb on a budget with Grace

Kick that clunky Dynavox to the curb ... on a budget.


Grace - Picture Exchange for Non-Verbal People - Steven Troughton-Smith

A simple picture exchange system developed by and for non-verbal people allowing the user to communicate their needs by building sentences from relevant images. It can be customized by the individual using their picture and photo vocabulary with the user taking photos and saving pictures to the app.

The application works in real time and allows the user to select their preferences, then rotate the device to present a full sized sentence to the listener - who will read it with them and respond to their request.

The beauty of Grace is that it ensures the interaction of the user with the listener, and mutual understanding of the user's real needs help to increase communication opportunities and build trust.

Grace is now available for iPhone and iPod touch, and version 1.0.1 and beyond fully support iPad at no extra charge.

Grace - Picture Exchange for Non-Verbal People - Steven Troughton-Smith

Proloquo2Go: Time to Dump that Dynavox to the Curb?

Proloquo2Go - AssistiveWare















Proloquo2Go - AssistiveWare


Proloquo2Go™ is a new product from AssistiveWare that provides a full-featured communication solution for people who have difficulty speaking. It brings natural sounding text-to-speech voices, up-to-date symbols, powerful automatic conjugations, a default vocabulary of over 7000 items, full expandability and extreme ease of use to the iPhone and iPod touch.

iPad

Proloquo2Go is now available also on iPad, Apple’s revolutionary new tablet device. Now you can use it on an iPad at home, at work or at school and use it on an iPod touch or iPhone when going to the movies, a restaurant or hiking.

iPhone and iPod touch

Proloquo2Go is a custom designed, full-featured communication solution for iPhone, iPod touch and iPad. Never has AAC been so portable and affordable.

How does it work?

If you know how to use an iPhone or iPod touch you know how to use Proloquo2Go. While Proloquo2Go has a lot of advanced features the basics are extremely simple and easy.

Proloquo2Go includes natural sounding text-to-speech voices, up-to-date symbols, powerful automatic conjugations, a default vocabulary of over 7000 items, full expandability and extreme ease of use.

The vocabulary: VocaSpace™

The basic structure of Proloquo2Go is made to utilize the best of both worlds: word based construction and powerful phrases. So whether you are chatting with a friend, answering a question about a current event, or constructing a story to tell later in the day, the system is designed to be easy and effective for a broad range of individuals.

Autism and the iPad: Proloquo2Go Demo Video

iPrompts

Q: What is iPrompts®?

A: iPrompts is a software application for the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad. It is designed for caregivers of those with special needs. iPrompts® allows parents, therapists, and special educators to configure and present picture-based prompts (no audio prompts or voice output) to help language and behaviorally challenged individuals stay on task, transition between activities, and communicate their needs.

Related:
HandHeld Adaptive: iPrompts Website

8 Best Therapies For Children With Autism

Autism Dan's 8 Best Therapies For Children With Autism

1. Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
2. Dietary Interventions
3. Augmentative Communication
4. Floor Time
5. Son Rise
6. DAN! (Defeat Autism Now)
7. Fast ForWord
8. Auditory Integration Training

FULL ARTICLE / DETAIL : Autism Dan's 8 Best Therapies For Children With Autism

Medicare covers $8k Dynavox, not $300 iPhone

OK, let's see. Medicare will cover an $8,000 talking device, but not a $300, because you might play games on it. It sure seems like someone might be missing the point.

For voiceless, gadgets speak but insurers balk

By Ashlee Vance
THE NEW YORK TIMES

SAN FRANCISCO — Kara Lynn has amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, which
has attacked the muscles around her mouth and throat, removing her
ability to speak. A couple of years ago, she spent more than $8,000 to
buy a computer, approved by Medicare, that turns typed words into
speech that her family, friends and doctors can hear.

Under government insurance requirements, the maker of the PC,
which ran Microsoft Windows software, had to block any nonspeech
functions, such as sending e-mail or browsing the Web.

Dismayed by the PC's limitations and clunky design, Lynn turned to
a $300 iPhone 3G from Apple running $150 text-to-speech software. Lynn,
who is 48 and lives in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., said it worked better and
let her "wear her voice" around her neck while snuggling with her
5-year-old son, Aiden, who has Down syndrome.

Medicare and private health insurers decline to cover devices such
as iPhones and netbook PCs that can help people with speech
impairments, despite their usefulness and lower cost. Instead, public
and private insurers say that if Lynn and others like her want
insurance to pay, they must spend 10 to 20 times as much for dedicated,
proprietary devices that can do far less.

The logic: Insurance is supposed to cover medical devices, and
smartphones and PCs can be used for nonmedical purposes, such as
playing video games or browsing the Web.

"We would not cover the iPhones and netbooks with
speech-generating software capabilities because they are useful in the
absence of an illness or injury," said Peter Ashkenaz, a spokesman for
the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Private insurers
tend to follow the government's lead.

Two years ago, iPhones and netbooks barely existed, so it may not
be surprising that the industry has yet to consider their role as
medical devices.

[MORE]

DynaVox Xpress (<1 KG)

This product looks very promising. While I love the Dynavox Vx, it is seriously bulky!

DynaVox Xpress - The new lightweight device from DynaVox-Mayer Johnson!

The DynaVox Xpress is a lightweight hand-held custom built speech generating device with a lot of power in a small package. Weighing less than 1kg and of durable construction, this new device has a lot of communication power. All the InterAACT page sets are included in the Xpress software and the device can be accessed via Touch Enter, Touch Exit, Scanning and Auditory Scanning. The 8GB flash drive not only increases the durability but also provides storage for photos and MP3s. Calendar, Contacts, MP3 Player and a Video Player also allow the device to be used for some PDA functions if desired. And an optional web browser also allows the user to take advantage of the built-in WiFi for surfing the internet and sending and receiving emails.

Communication page design can be done on any computer using the included Xpress Design software.

For more information please click here. The Xpress will be released in September and we should have pricing available soon.

Devices Aim to Help Children With Autism Speak

Imagine feeling ill and being unable to tell anyone what hurts. Or longing for pizza on your eighth birthday but ending up with Chinese takeout because you couldn't explain what you wanted. These are the kinds of frustrations, experts say, that are faced by the more than 1 in 150 children in the United States who have a diagnosis of autism.

The solution to some of those problems could be the push of a button away. A set of aids -- ranging from simple, notebook-size plastic boxes to more sophisticated devices that resemble a clunky BlackBerry -- has been developed to help those with autism express their needs. The devices range in price from about $100 to several thousand dollars. Many are designed to be portable and the simpler ones are also nearly indestructible, a key advantage for children who may rock in a seat against a backpack or are prone to throwing things.

Karen Kaye-Beall, a mother of two children with autism, became interested in so-called augmentative devices for their ability to increase the communication skills of her son, Tyler, who is 15. The director of an autism support center in suburban Maryland, Kaye-Beall has created a small showroom in her Montgomery County home where people can test the devices and find what best suits their family's needs.

[FULL STORY]

No Limits 2 Learning

The No Limits 2 Learning Blog has been added to the Augmentative and Alternative Communication blog feeds on the left sidebar.

Dynavox for Autism Success Stories

We have been using the Dynaxox for a couple of months now and I must say that it is a lot of work. It's a great device and does give our daughter the ability to communicate. I would love to hear from some of you that have had success with this or a similar device. Drop me a line at autism.parent@gmail.com and share your story.

DynaVox v. 1.05 Enhancements

DynaVox Releases Software Version 1.05 for DynaVox V and Vmax Latest Software Enhances Communication Options and Provides Greater Flexibility PITTSBURGH, Oct. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- DynaVox, the world's leading provider of advanced communication solutions that assist individuals with significant speech, language and learning disabilities, announced the release of software version 1.05 for the V and Vmax speech-output devices. This new release includes a range of new features that enhance communication options, ease device setup and use, and provide greater flexibility when working with applications outside the V/Vmax communication software. New features include: -- EyeMax Support - A robust new eye gaze system, the EyeMax enables individuals with significant physical limitations to access all Vmax features using just their eyes. -- eBook Reader - This tool allows users to download books from sites such as bookshare.org and eBooks.com directly to the V or Vmax. Books added to the eBook Reader can be read onscreen using multiple access methods, or the V/Vmax can read the book aloud to the user. -- Navigator - This intuitive user interface provides quick access to speech, email, internet, computer, eBooks, and environmental control capabilities. An alphabet-based core word strategy that combines seamlessly with the InterAACT language framework, Navigator supports fast, easy and independent communication for literate adults. -- Onscreen Keyboards - These specialized keyboard pages enable V/Vmax users to operate other Windows software applications using the same selection method (e.g., scanning or eye gaze) used for their communication software. -- Enhanced Environmental Control Functionality - An intuitive setup interface allows individuals with significant physical limitations and their care teams to quickly configure V and Vmax devices to operate common household appliances such televisions, DVD players, etc. equipped with infrared remote controls. -- Bluetooth Connectivity - The V or Vmax can now be configured to control another computer through a Bluetooth connection. This benefits users who wish to use another computer as their primary computer. "This latest software release for the V and Vmax is very exciting," said Jim Shea, DynaVox's vice president of marketing. "Software version 1.05 streamlines communication and device support and makes basic tasks such as reading a book or using computer software easier and more accessible. This release is the direct result of customer feedback and DynaVox's commitment to supporting our customers by continuing to enhance our product line to better meet their needs." Software version 1.05 for the V and Vmax is available free of charge and is included with all devices shipped on or after September 24, 2008. Individuals with devices that shipped before that date can obtain the software by visiting Support at Dynavoxtech.com. Instructions for determining the current software version running on a specific V/Vmax can be found on the same page. About DynaVox DynaVox pioneers speech communication technology, giving an opportunity for a better life to the millions of adults and children around the world challenged by significant speech, language and learning disabilities caused by conditions such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig's Disease), stroke, traumatic brain injury, cerebral palsy, Parkinson's Disease, autism and mental retardation. Driving by a strong entrepreneurial culture, the company applies proprietary and third-party technologies, and applied research efforts to deliver a broad range of speech communication hardware and software tools, and offers an extensive customer support program, which enables individuals and their families to access the latest technology and reimbursement counsel regarding the company's suite of products. For more information about DynaVox, visit http://www.dynavoxtech.com.

Dynavox Symbols Changed, Setup for failure? One of these things is not like the other, one of these things does not belong...

Teaching Learners with Multiple Special Needs: One of these things is not like the other, one of these things does not belong...

Dynavox Stolen

This is pretty sad. I don't guess there can be much of a backup plan if your communication device is stolen. I am sure insurance will cover this type of thing if you have insurance, but this girl is stil without her device at the moment.

Police: Girl's Computerized Voice Box Stolen From Car

It's probably a good idea to make sure that you ...

• Have the proper insurance
• Keep the documentation showing what you paid for the device in case you have to submit a claim.
  

Assistive Technology Advancements Offer A New Wave of Possibility For Your Child With Special Needs

Assistive Technology Advancements Offer A New Wave of Possibility For Your Child With Special Needs

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Augmentative Communication, and Assistive Technology

Autism is a developmental disability that is characterized by deficits in social and communication skills (Autism Society of America, 2005). While in typically developing children, speech and language develop rapidly during the first three years of life, children with autism have major difficulties in the acquisition of verbal communication (Child Development Institute, 2005; Kaiser, Hester, & McDuffie, 2001).

These difficulties can exacerbate other problems related to autism. Without a means of communication, children who already have severe deficits in social skills find it almost impossible to interact with others. Also, the frustration of not being able to communicate is responsible for many of the behavior problems associated with autism (National Research Council, 2001).

Alternative Augmentative Communication is one way in which to provide children with a means of communicating. AAC takes many forms and I will try to tackle all on this blog. These may include but are not limited to ...

• Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS)
  
• Sign Language
• Alternate Communication Devices (aka: Assistive Technology) such as the DynaVox