Proxtalker

ProxTalker history:

 

The Proxtalker was developed in U.S.A. by Glen Dobbs for his son Logan, who is diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Logan is a great user of a low tech system using moveable picture cards (P.E.C.S), but his father and friend set about designing a system to give him a 'voice'. He quickly learned to ask for a favourite toy and ordering his own takeaway meals and talking to his mum on the phone.  Logan has moved onto other touch screen systems now, but the ProxTalker formed an important 'stepping stone' to voice output.  

Since this time the Proxtalker has been introduced to U.S.A., U. K. and other European countries. Parents, teachers, therapists and others working with children and adults without functional speech have seen many applications for the Proxtalker. It can be used in group or individual activities or to add to an individual's alternative and augmentative communication systems. The original intended application, Logan's use of the Proxtalker, has been expanded widely to include use with people with a range of diagnoses.

Features:

• rugged construction, water and shock resistant
• 5 zone buttons with hook and loop fastener
• tags coded with radio frequency identification, and with hook and loop fastener
• when the selected tag is placed on the button and pressed, the recorded message will speak
• high quality, loud and clear digitised (recorded) speech in any language or any voice
• a set of 80 pre-programmed vocabulary tags (words and phrases) in British English
• "speak" button (green function tag) speaks all messages from left to right
• programming tags to re-record tags, check battery level, change volume, erase recordings
• place the programming tag on a button and follow the voice prompts
• in-built microphone
• runs on 4 standard C batteries
• USB connectivity for data exchange and web based download
• can hold more than 10,000 words
• App to photograph content for tag labels. Print out on supplied label sheets.

Options:

• available in a backpack (standard) or folder 
• large key tags available 
• see 'accessories' section

How to use the Proxtalker:

The Proxtalker is so simple to set up; it can quickly be used as the focus of an activity. The hook and loop fabric pages store the tags. The tags can be recorded with any content required, from words, phrases, sentences or sounds in any language or voice. The tags can be labeled with photos, symbols, object symbols or words. Alternatively the pre-programmed vocabulary set can be used with little preparation.

Activity ideas:

• use the buttons to start a sentence e.g. "where is....?" To enable the participants to complete the question, the options can be positioned on the fabric page. Take turns to choose the item that becomes the object of a treasure hunt.
• making choices: with or without a sentence starter, offer a selection of items that relate to choosing a snack, a play activity, song. For example, participants make their choices, choosing the next verse/animal in "Old McDonald had a Farm".
• giving an opinion: lay out the tags relevant to a question asked such as "what do you think about X?" Available responses might include tags "I like it", "I don't like it", "it's scary" etc.
• requesting: lay out the choices relating to an activity or song choice.
• and so many more ....
• See BLOG for more ideas 

• dimensions of device: 285 x 175 x 37 mm
• dimension of buttons: 37 x 37 mm
• space between buttons: 7 mm
• weight of Proxtalker: 1.10 kgs
• weight of carry bag with 4 fabric pages and 80 tags: 1.05 kgs
• total weight of Proxtalker in backpack kit: 2.15 kgs
• power: uses 4 x C batteries
• size of standard tags: 37 x 37 mm
• Regular Proxtalker - key press activation force required:   18 oz (5 N)

Manual for Proxtalker (PDF download)

Vocabulary list for pre-recorded tags supplied. (PDF download)

How to remove the Proxtalker from the backpack (YouTube video 13 seconds)

How to record to a Proxtalker tag (YouTube video 21 seconds)

How to use the Label Sheets with the App (PDF download)

QuickStart Guide (PDF download)

Managing Sound Tags for ProxTalker and ProxPAD

The sound tags come in two sizes small ( ) and large (). These are managed in exactly the same way. Customised and blank tags can be managed in the same way recording over any pre-recorded sounds. The only difference is that when a factory set customised tag is erased it will default to original factory recording. To make any picture or object ‘talk’ simply attach sound tag, we recommend use of large tags for ProxPAD

Making Custom Tags

Recording a new sound on a Sound Tag:

1. Place the Sound Tag to be recorded on any button on the Proxtalker®.or ProxPad

2. Press and release the Record Programming Tag on any other button on the ProxTalker®.or ProxPad

3. The ProxTalker® will prompt you to RECORD a new sound. Start speaking when the ProxTalker® or ProxPad beeps. The recording time is over when the ProxTalker® or ProxPad beeps again.

4. Apply a picture label to identify the blank Sound Tag (see below).

NOTE: by default, the ProxTalker® or ProxPad will record a 2-second sound. However, if you press and hold the blank tag, you can extend the recording time up to 8 seconds.

NOTE: make sure tags are not duplicated e.g. two x number 5’s or two x ‘dad’

Re-recording a previously programmed Sound Tag:

Any Sound Tag can have its sound replaced - whether it is a pre-programmed Sound Tag or a customized blank Sound Tag. The steps required are identical to creating a new Sound Tag. Follow the steps above.

Resetting a Sound Tag:

1. Place the Sound Tag you want to reset to its original sound on a button on the ProxTalker®.

2. Press and release the ERASE Programming Tag on any other button.

3. ProxTalker® will prompt you to press the Sound tag to be erased.

4. Press and release the Sound Tag to be erased.

5. Remember to change the label.

NOTE: If you erase a pre-recorded Sound Tag it will return to its original sound. If you erase a blank Sound Tag that you had customized it will return to having no sound.

Making Custom Labels

New custom images, symbols, photos or words, can be printed and applied with pressure sensitive adhesive labels to Sound Tags and laminated with clear tape.

Sound Tags are very robust and can withstand lots of abuse. Labels and laminates are available for purchase from Zyteq as a kit.

There are several ways to generate images for the small and large tags using our custom made sticker sheets:

ProxTalker App Lite from the iTunes store is a free app which enable the user to import new or stored photos directly into our sticker sheet templates
ProxTalker App Plus enables symbols to be imported directly to templates available either as an in app purchase or directly from iTunes. Options of SymbolStix or Widgit libraries are available https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/proxtalker-app-lite/id593099176?mt=8
Templates are available on the website for Word, SymbolStix and Communicate in Print users to generate label sheets and print directly onto our sticker sheets
The ProxTalker website has a Resource Exchange Network with many ready-made resources which can be printed free of charge http://resources.proxtalker.com

Supplied with

• instruction card
• 80 pre-programmed tags using British English voice and vocab list.
• 100 blank tags with printable sticker/label set
• 4 double-sided fabric binder pages (backpack page set)
• 6 programming tags
• backpack or binder
• 4 x C batteries
• blank labels for tags

How many tags can be used with one ProxTalker?

In Australia, 80 pre-programmed tags and supplied with the ProxTalker and 100 blank tags.  Adidtional blank tags are available.  It is important that the numbering of the tags is not duplicated so when ordering extra tags we may need further information about the numbering of the tags already in use.  You can also expand your available tags by recording over the pre-programmed tags.  If the original recording is ever required simply CLEAR the tag using the tool tags and the original factory recording will be restored.  With adding tags, storage and organising tags may become a  more important issue.  Additional storage pages and folders are available.