10-Minute Speech Practice That Doesn't Require Sitting Still

Last updated 2026-07-11

What is Proloquo2Go and who is it actually designed for?

Proloquo2Go is a symbol-based augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) app made by AssistiveWare. It runs on iPad and iPhone, and it lets non-speaking or minimally-verbal people select symbols (pictures paired with text) that the app then speaks aloud. It costs $249.99 on the App Store as a one-time purchase, though pricing does change, so check the current listing before budgeting ^[1].

The app is used across a huge range of ages and diagnoses: autistic children with limited speech, kids with childhood apraxia of speech, those with cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, and many others who benefit from a high-tech AAC system ^[2]. It is more than a last resort for kids who will never talk. ASHA's position statement is clear that using AAC does not slow speech development and may support it ^[3].

If you are reading this because your child was just recommended for AAC, you are in the right place. This guide walks through setup from the very first screen. If you want broader context on AAC device types before you buy, the aac devices overview is a good starting point.

What vocabulary system should a beginner start with in Proloquo2Go?

Use Crescendo. It ships with Proloquo2Go, AssistiveWare built it specifically for new AAC learners, and it is what most speech-language pathologists (SLPs) recommend for beginners. Crescendo keeps the most-used core vocabulary (words like 'more', 'go', 'want', 'stop', 'I', 'you') on a consistent Home screen, which matters enormously because motor learning depends on buttons living in the same place every time ^[4].

Do not start with a blank vocabulary and build from scratch. That approach takes dozens of hours and produces inconsistent layouts that work against motor learning.

When you first open Proloquo2Go, it asks you to create a user. Choose 'Crescendo' from the vocabulary picker. You will then select a starting stage. AssistiveWare labels these Basic (around 12-15 buttons per page), Intermediate, and Advanced. Most beginners should start at Basic. The goal is not to hand the child the fewest words forever. It is to give them a layout where they can build reliable motor patterns, then grow from there.

One thing parents get wrong constantly: they assume their child needs a giant vocabulary on day one because 'we want to give them everything.' Motor learning research on AAC tells the opposite story. A smaller, consistent vocabulary the child can move through independently beats a 100-button grid they cannot reliably access ^[4].

How do you choose the right grid size for a beginner?

Grid size means the number of symbol buttons visible at one time. Proloquo2Go lets you set this per user. For most beginning AAC users, somewhere between 12 and 30 buttons per screen is the right starting range, but the real test is simple: can your child touch the button they are aiming for without hitting a neighbor?

Here is a rough practical guide:

You can change grid size any time inside Settings > Users > (user name) > Vocabulary. It is not a permanent decision. Err smaller to start. Watching a child miss-tap a neighbor button over and over is discouraging for them and for you.

For children with significant motor differences, a physical screen guard with cutouts for each button cell can dramatically reduce errors. It is a cheap foam or plastic grid that sits on top of the iPad screen. SLPs who specialize in apraxia of speech or motor-based communication differences often recommend these.

How do you lock settings so a child cannot accidentally change them?

This is the step most families skip and then regret a week later when the vocabulary has been deleted or the grid has been rearranged. Proloquo2Go has a built-in Editing Lock. You reach it through Settings > Lock (the padlock icon). Set a 4-digit PIN, then lock the app before handing the device to your child.

With Editing Lock on, the child can use the AAC system normally but cannot get into settings, delete buttons, or rearrange pages. You can unlock temporarily to make edits, then re-lock.

A second layer of protection is iOS Guided Access. Go to the iPad's Settings > Accessibility > Guided Access, turn it on, and set a passcode. Triple-clicking the Home or Side button (depending on iPad model) then activates Guided Access, which stops the child from leaving the app entirely. This matters in therapy settings and during meals when accidental Home button presses are common.

Using both Proloquo2Go's Editing Lock and iOS Guided Access together gives you two independent safeguards. I'd use both.

What is aided language stimulation and why does it matter more than the setup?

Aided language stimulation (also called 'modeling' or 'aided input') means that the adults in the child's life use the AAC device themselves throughout the day to communicate, without requiring the child to do the same ^[5]. You touch the button for 'more' when you want more of something. You touch 'stop' when you pause a game. You touch 'like' while watching a show together. The child watches you move through the device hundreds of times before they are expected to do it themselves.

This is, bar none, the most evidence-supported strategy for getting a new AAC user communicating. A 2014 study by Drager and colleagues found significant gains in symbol comprehension when communication partners used aided language stimulation consistently ^[5]. The hard part is that it takes real effort from parents, teachers, and caregivers, more than any well-configured app does.

A realistic daily target is 25-50 models per day across activities. That sounds like a lot, but it breaks down to roughly one model every 20-30 minutes across a waking day. You do not stop what you are doing to 'do AAC.' You reach over to the device while you are already talking and point to or tap the word that matches what you just said.

Never use the device only to ask questions ('What do you want? Pick something.'). That teaches the child the AAC system is a test, not a conversation. Use it to comment, to refuse, to joke, to describe. All the things you do with spoken language.

How do you add personalized vocabulary for a specific child?

Crescendo comes with a solid core vocabulary out of the box, but every child has fringe vocabulary (specific people, places, foods, characters, activities) that matters to them personally. Adding these early keeps the device motivating.

To add a new symbol: unlock editing, go to the page where you want the word (for a child who loves trains, open the 'things' or activity-related page), long-press an empty cell, choose 'Edit Button,' then add a label, choose or photograph a symbol, and record or use text-to-speech for the audio.

A few practical tips:

• Use real photos for fringe vocabulary when possible. A photo of their actual dog is more meaningful than a generic clip-art dog.
• Keep core vocabulary (the main page and navigation) consistent. Only add new buttons in fringe/topic pages, not on the Home screen.
• AssistiveWare has a free Symbol Library inside the app. You can also use Boardmaker symbols or the built-in SymbolStix set.

Do not add 50 fringe words in the first week. Add 3-5 highly motivating items and model them. A smaller vocabulary added slowly beats a huge vocabulary used by nobody.

If the SLP is also working with your child, sync with them before making structural changes to the layout. Inconsistency between home and school setups is a common source of frustration for kids.

What are the access method options beyond direct touch?

Most beginning AAC users start with direct touch (they just tap the screen), and for a large share of kids that works fine. But Proloquo2Go also supports other access methods, which matter a lot for children who have limited hand control ^[6].

Switch scanning is the main alternative. With switch scanning, the app highlights buttons one at a time (or row by row) and the child presses an external switch when the desired button is highlighted. One or two switches can be connected via Bluetooth or the headphone jack. AssistiveWare supports this through iOS's built-in Switch Control accessibility feature.

Eye gaze access requires separate eye-tracking hardware (like Tobii Dynavox eye gaze cameras), and Proloquo2Go can be used with some of these setups, though purpose-built eye gaze devices often run their own AAC software.

For most children who are new to AAC because of autism or a speech delay without significant motor involvement, direct touch is the right starting point. If your child has a known motor condition, ask the evaluating SLP or occupational therapist to do an access assessment before you commit to a configuration.

The device should sit in a stable position the child can reach easily. A mount for the wheelchair, a stand on the table, or a sturdy case that props the iPad up at an angle: these physical setups matter as much as the software.

How do you run a productive AAC session at home without being a speech therapist?

You do not need to run formal 'sessions.' The most effective AAC learning happens inside real activities, not structured drills. That said, having a few go-to routines helps parents who are brand new to this feel less lost.

A simple structure for any activity: 1. Bring out the device before the activity starts. Having it present says 'this is a communication tool, not a therapy device.' 2. Follow the child's lead. If they are interested in blocks, narrate the block play on the device. Touch 'fall down' when the tower falls. Touch 'more' before adding a block. 3. Create communication opportunities. Pause before giving them something they want. Wait with an expectant look (not a verbal demand). If they do not respond in 5-10 seconds, model the word yourself and move on. No pressure. 4. Respond to everything. If your child touches any button, even accidentally, respond as if it was intentional. 'Oh, you said ball! Here's the ball.' Over time this teaches that the device produces real responses from real people.

A consistent routine, like 15 minutes of AAC-supported play after dinner four nights a week, beats sporadic marathon sessions. If your child is also in speech therapy, ask the SLP to demonstrate one activity per session that you can copy at home.

For families earlier in the process who are not yet sure if AAC is the right direction, the early intervention system in your state provides free evaluations for children under age 3. Do not wait.

How long before a beginner AAC user starts communicating with Proloquo2Go?

Honest answer: it varies a lot, and nobody has clean population-level data on this with Proloquo2Go specifically.

What the research says is that consistent aided language stimulation tends to show measurable gains in symbol comprehension and use within 3-6 months of reliable implementation ^[5][7]. Some children make their first intentional selection within days. Others take several months before selections look clearly intentional. A small number take longer.

The factors that speed things up: consistency of modeling across all environments (more than therapy alone), a device that is always within reach, vocabulary that includes things the child actually wants to talk about, and zero pressure to perform.

The factors that slow things down: the device only comes out during 'speech time,' adults asking questions constantly rather than modeling, frequent vocabulary changes that reset motor learning, and comparing progress to a sibling or peer without AAC needs.

If you are six months in with consistent effort and seeing no change at all, that is a signal to go back to the evaluating SLP and reassess. Sometimes the vocabulary level needs adjusting. Sometimes a different access method is needed. Sometimes the diagnosis picture is more complex, as with autism spectrum speech therapy contexts where multiple approaches may be layered.

The single best predictor of AAC success is how often communication partners model. It is not the app. It is you.

What does an SLP actually do to set up Proloquo2Go, and do you need one?

Technically, any parent can download Proloquo2Go and set it up without any professional. AssistiveWare's own tutorial resources are genuinely good. But an SLP who specializes in AAC adds things no tutorial can: a proper feature-matching evaluation (making sure this specific system fits this specific child), an access assessment, vocabulary customization based on the child's communication profile, and an implementation plan that coordinates home, school, and therapy ^[3].

For many insurance plans and school district placements, a formal AAC evaluation by a licensed SLP is required before the device is funded. That evaluation typically includes standardized language testing, an assessment of current communication modes, a trial period with candidate devices, and a written report.

If cost or access to an in-person SLP is a barrier, online speech therapy has expanded significantly and many teletherapy SLPs now specialize in AAC. AssistiveWare also runs free online training called 'AAC Learning Journey' for families and professionals.

One honest note: a single device purchase plus good consistent modeling at home, without any SLP involvement, still produces better outcomes than an SLP-configured device that sits in a bag 23 hours a day. The two together are best. But if you must choose one, daily modeling at home wins.

What should you do if the child ignores or refuses to use Proloquo2Go?

Refusal or ignoring is normal in the first weeks, especially for children who have no prior AAC experience. The device is new, strange, and nobody has shown them yet that it actually works to get them things they want.

Four things that usually help:

First, never force. Hand-over-hand guiding of a child's arm to the device against their will is contraindicated in AAC implementation and creates negative associations. Just model yourself and move on.

Second, put the device everywhere. If it only appears at the therapy table, the child learns it belongs at the therapy table. Put it at breakfast. On the couch during TV. In the car.

Third, respond to everything as communication. If the child pushes the device off the table, you can say 'Oh, all done? Okay,' and model 'all done' on the device yourself. The message is: everything you do is communication, and I'm listening.

Fourth, reduce the demand. If you have been saying 'Tell me what you want, use your talker,' stop. Completely. For a few weeks, just model with zero expectation of response. This is counterintuitive but it reliably reduces avoidance.

Some children resist the text-to-speech voice that Proloquo2Go uses by default. Try different voice options in Settings > Speech. AssistiveWare includes several voices, and some children respond much better to certain ones.

How do you coordinate Proloquo2Go use between home and school?

Consistency across environments is one of the strongest predictors of AAC progress. If the vocabulary layout at school differs from the one at home, the child is essentially learning two different motor maps. That slows everything down.

For school-aged children, the AAC system is often part of the Individualized Education Program (IEP). The IEP should specify which vocabulary system is used, who is responsible for device maintenance, how often the vocabulary is updated, and what training communication partners receive ^[8]. Under IDEA, schools must provide AAC devices if they are determined necessary for a child to access their education, though what qualifies and how this is administered varies by district ^[8].

Ask the school SLP or special education coordinator for a shared implementation plan. At minimum, both home and school should use the same vocabulary version (Crescendo at the same stage) and agree on a process for adding new words.

AssistiveWare allows vocabulary backups via iCloud and their own cloud backup system. Use this. Devices break, get lost, or need to be wiped. A backup means you do not lose months of customization.

If you are also thinking about whether your child might benefit from other communication supports, the piece on echolalia is relevant: many children who use AAC also use echolalia as a communication mode, and understanding both helps you respond more effectively.

Frequently asked questions

How much does Proloquo2Go cost?

Proloquo2Go costs $249.99 as a one-time App Store purchase (as of 2024; check the current listing since prices can change). Many insurance plans, Medicaid waivers, and school districts will fund the app as part of an AAC evaluation and recommendation. AssistiveWare also has a free trial version called Proloquo2Go Lite that lets you try the core features before committing.

What iPad is best for Proloquo2Go?

Any iPad running iPadOS 16 or later works. The standard 9th or 10th generation iPad is the most common choice because it balances cost and screen size. For younger children, a 10.2-inch screen is usually easier to handle than the larger Pro models. Use a protective case with a handle or kickstand. Screen size matters more than processing power for AAC use.

Can Proloquo2Go be used without wifi?

Yes. Once the app and vocabulary are downloaded, Proloquo2Go works entirely offline. No internet connection is needed for daily communication use. You need wifi for updates, cloud backups, or downloading new symbol sets, but the child's communication is never dependent on a network connection. This is one reason families prefer dedicated AAC apps over web-based tools.

Is Proloquo2Go appropriate for a 2-year-old?

AssistiveWare lists no minimum age. Children as young as 18-24 months have been introduced to high-tech AAC successfully, and research supports early introduction. The key is grid size (use the smallest, 9-15 buttons) and heavy adult modeling with zero demand. A 2-year-old cannot be expected to use the device independently; the goal at that age is exposure and early associations between symbols and their meanings.

Does using Proloquo2Go mean my child will never talk?

No. ASHA's official position is that AAC does not prevent speech development and may support it. Multiple studies have found no negative effect of AAC on spoken language, and some report improvements. AAC is a bridge, not a ceiling. Many children who begin using high-tech AAC as their primary communication mode do develop spoken words over time, while others communicate primarily through AAC long-term. Both outcomes are valid.

What is the difference between Proloquo2Go and TouchChat?

Both are symbol-based AAC apps for iPad. Proloquo2Go uses AssistiveWare's Crescendo vocabulary and SymbolStix symbols by default. TouchChat uses WordPower vocabulary and can run PCS (Picture Communication Symbols) from Boardmaker. SLPs who trained on one system tend to have stronger implementation support to offer for that system. Both have comparable evidence bases. The choice often comes down to which your SLP knows best.

How many words should a beginner AAC user's device have?

Start with the smallest Crescendo stage that covers the child's communication needs, usually 12-25 buttons on the main screen. Research on aided language stimulation and motor learning supports beginning with a consistent core vocabulary of 20-40 high-frequency words rather than a large fringe vocabulary. Add fringe words gradually based on the child's specific interests. More buttons are not better if the child cannot move through them independently.

What is core vocabulary in AAC and why does it matter?

Core vocabulary refers to the small set of words that account for the majority of what people say across all situations: words like 'more,' 'stop,' 'go,' 'want,' 'help,' 'I,' 'you,' and 'like.' Research shows roughly 200-400 words make up about 80% of what people actually say day to day. AAC systems like Proloquo2Go's Crescendo vocabulary put these words on a consistent home page so the child builds reliable motor patterns for the most communicatively powerful words first.

Can two children share one Proloquo2Go app?

Yes. Proloquo2Go supports multiple users on one device, each with separate vocabulary, grid size, and settings. However, for school-aged children who take their device between home and school, a shared device creates scheduling and access problems. If possible, one device per user is ideal. Families often purchase a single iPad for home use and coordinate with the school district for a second device funded through the IEP.

How do I know if my child needs AAC or just more speech therapy?

These are not mutually exclusive. AAC is recommended when a child's communication needs are not met by their current speech alone, regardless of whether spoken language is developing. An SLP can evaluate this. In general, if a child cannot reliably communicate wants, needs, or basic social messages through speech, signs, or other means, AAC is worth exploring immediately. Waiting for speech to develop before introducing AAC has no evidence basis and can delay functional communication by months or years.

Does Proloquo2Go work for kids with apraxia of speech?

Yes, and it is commonly used for children with childhood apraxia of speech who need an alternative or supplementary channel while motor speech therapy progresses. The motor learning principles in Proloquo2Go, specifically the consistent placement of core vocabulary across all pages in Crescendo vocabulary, align well with the motor learning demands for kids with apraxia. More detail on this is in the guide to childhood apraxia of speech.

How do I back up Proloquo2Go settings so I don't lose customization?

Go to Settings > Users > (user name) > Backup Vocabulary. You can back up to iCloud or to AssistiveWare's own cloud service. Do this every time you make significant changes. Also enable automatic iCloud backup for the entire iPad in iOS Settings > your Apple ID > iCloud > iCloud Backup. If the device is lost or damaged, you can restore the entire vocabulary onto a new device within minutes rather than rebuilding from scratch.

Sources

1. AssistiveWare, Proloquo2Go product page (App Store): Proloquo2Go costs $249.99 as a one-time purchase on the App Store
2. ASHA, Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) overview: AAC is used across diagnoses including autism, cerebral palsy, and apraxia of speech
3. ASHA, AAC Practice Portal: ASHA position: AAC does not inhibit speech development and may support it; SLP evaluation is the standard of care for AAC recommendation
4. Beukelman, D. & Mirenda, P. (2013). Augmentative and Alternative Communication: Supporting Children and Adults with Complex Communication Needs. 4th ed. Paul H. Brookes Publishing.: Motor learning in AAC depends on consistent button placement; smaller grids support reliable motor pattern development in beginners
5. Drager, K. D. R., et al. (2014). Effects of aided AAC modeling on the expression of multi-symbol messages by preschoolers who use AAC. Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 30(2), 136-147.: Aided language stimulation produced significant gains in symbol comprehension and use; consistent modeling shows measurable gains within 3-6 months
6. AssistiveWare, Access methods for Proloquo2Go (support documentation): Proloquo2Go supports direct touch, switch scanning via iOS Switch Control, and partner-assisted scanning
7. Romski, M., et al. (2010). Randomized comparison of augmented and nonaugmented language interventions for toddlers with developmental delays and their parents. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, 53(2), 350-364.: AAC intervention showed gains in symbol use and parent-rated communication within months; AAC did not inhibit speech development in the toddler sample
8. U.S. Department of Education, IDEA Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 34 CFR 300.105: Under IDEA, schools must provide assistive technology including AAC devices if determined necessary for a child to access their education
9. AAP, Policy Statement: Role of the Pediatrician in Supporting Communication Development: AAP supports early referral for communication delays and recognizes AAC as a valid communication support across developmental conditions
10. Ganz, J. B., et al. (2012). Meta-analysis of single-case research studies on aided augmentative and alternative communication systems with individuals with autism spectrum disorders. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 42(1), 60-74.: Meta-analysis found aided AAC systems produced consistent communication gains for individuals with autism across studies
11. Zangari, C. & Van Tatenhove, G. (2009). Supporting more advanced linguistic communicators in the classroom. In G. Soto & C. Zangari (Eds.), Practically speaking: Language, literacy, and academic development for students with AAC needs. Paul H. Brookes.: Core vocabulary of approximately 200-400 words accounts for roughly 80% of everyday communication across speakers