Articles
Categories
- News And Updates 68
- Blog 85
Recent Topics
- No recent topics.
Recent Articles
- No recent articles.
Archives
- April 2024 1
- August 2023 2
- June 2023 1
- May 2023 1
- April 2023 3
- February 2023 2
- January 2023 3
- December 2022 2
- November 2022 1
- October 2022 1
- August 2022 4
- July 2022 2
- May 2022 1
- April 2022 1
- February 2022 2
- December 2021 3
- November 2021 1
- October 2021 1
- September 2021 4
- July 2021 1
- May 2021 1
- April 2021 1
- March 2021 2
- February 2021 2
- November 2020 1
- October 2020 2
- August 2020 2
- July 2020 3
- June 2020 4
- May 2020 2
- April 2020 2
- March 2020 2
- February 2020 1
- January 2020 1
- December 2019 1
- November 2019 1
- October 2019 4
- September 2019 2
- July 2019 1
- May 2019 1
- March 2019 2
- January 2019 3
- December 2018 2
- October 2018 4
- September 2018 3
- August 2018 4
- June 2018 1
- May 2018 2
- April 2018 4
- March 2018 3
- February 2018 4
- January 2018 2
- November 2017 3
- October 2017 9
- September 2017 6
- July 2017 2
- June 2017 1
- May 2017 3
- April 2017 9
- February 2017 1
- January 2017 6
- December 2016 2
- October 2016 4
Updated 5/2/24 to remove additional weekend hours. 4/25/2024 update: (weekend hours added for 4/27 & 4/28) 4/22/2024 update: (correction to AC 800 Serial numbers and instructions within the links below updated to include resolving a missing keyboard) Enabling individuals with speech and language impairments to ...
Check out the latest changes in TouchChat®, LAMP Words for Life®, and Dialogue® AAC when you update your iOS apps to version 2.44. Introducing Head Tracking for the LAMP Words for Life app Head tracking is now available for LAMP Words for Life bringing this research-based vocabulary to more individuals with co...
Empower® software update 1.20 arrived with something special for new generation Accent® 1400 devices. Join-In the fun of YouTube™, TikTok™, and WhatsApp PRC-Saltillo partnered with D-Bur, the creator of Join-In web apps, to bring you more ways to engage in life and meaningful conversations...
Check out the latest improvements to TouchChat®, LAMP Words for Life®, and Dialogue® AAC when you update your iOS apps to version 2.43. Additional head tracking options for TouchChat & Dialogue There are several ways to customize head tracking in the settings menu including tracking speed...
Everyone has the desire and the ability to communicate despite physical and neurological challenges. The upcoming Minspeak® Academy (formerly Semantic Compaction Systems) master class led by Karen Kangas, OTR/L offers a unique neurological perspective on how kids with complex bodies learn considering their positioning n...
Check out the new features available in TouchChat®, LAMP Words for Life®, and Dialogue® AAC when you update your iOS apps to version 2.42. We regularly improve your app experience so you can communicate to the fullest. New features for all AAC apps Compatibility with Mac If you’re a Mac user with an App...
Hope to see you in Cancun July 24-27 as the International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (ISAAC) presents the 19th Biennial Conference: Communication Beyond Borders. PRC-Saltillo is proud to be a member of ISAAC as we work toward the vision of AAC being recognized, valued, and used throughout the wor...
Make plans to join us for summer learning with the four-week AAC for Families Summer Series from Minspeak Academy at PRC-Saltillo. Summer is often a more laid-back season without the school routine. Take advantage of the time to focus on using your AAC device with home routines and fun summer activities. You won’t reg...
This week, PRC-Saltillo released version 2.41 updates to our three AAC iOS Apps: TouchChat®, LAMP Words for Life®, and Dialogue® AAC. Included in the 2.41 release are new app features, bug fixes, and vocabulary updates. Here’s what you need to know. New features for all AAC apps Moveable Cursor The bigg...
Experience the newest features of Empower when you update your software to the newest 1.18 version. This user-friendly software just got even better! Noteworthy Features & Fixes You can now add button actions to your vocabulary to control your device’s volume including volume up, volume down, and mute Increas...
Stay in the know with your favorite PRC-Saltillo AAC iOS Apps. Tutorials, support videos, and technology features can now be found on one YouTube Channel. Explore the ever-growing list of resources for LAMP Words for Life®, TouchChat®, and Dialogue® AAC and subscribe to the new channel today. There’s alwa...
ATIA 2023 is just around the corner! We hope to see you in Orlando January 31 to February 4! PRC-Saltillo is proud to be a Platinum Sponsor of this annual conference that brings the latest assistive technology and strategies to a network of people who care about individuals with special needs. Stop by our booth (#413) and ...
We're excited to bring you the totally NEW Via® Mini and the next generations of the Accent® 800 & 1000! These three dynamic speech-generating devices are designed to help you and your AAC partners engage freely in communication. Here’s a preview of the latest AAC tools from PRC-Saltillo with the features ...
PRC-Saltillo aspires to provide exceptional service and quality products. That’s why we’re thrilled to announce two new industry-leading warranty programs, the High Five Warranty and Peace of Mind Add-on Warranty, to keep you actively communicating with a device that’s operating at its highest level! ...
It’s time to update your PRC-Saltillo AAC apps to version 2.40 for Dialogue® AAC, LAMP Words for Life®, and TouchChat®. To access new features for the best app experience, make sure your device is operating with iOS version 14.0 or later. Important Information Starting with version 2.40,...
Update to Empower 1.17 to discover more sounds added to the phonics page in Unity® and LAMP Words for Life®! Phonics Pages provide an AAC learner with opportunities to practice word building using recorded speech sounds. Available in Unity 84, 60, and 45 locations, as well as LAMP Words for Life To expand...
AAC Education Brought to You by PRC-Saltillo & Semantic Compaction Systems PRC-Saltillo is excited to announce the launch of the Minspeak Academy! This partnership with Semantic Compaction Systems (SCS) solidifies our commitment to ensuring the longevity of Minspeak, one of the world’s most trusted language repre...
Make Practice Time Fun with Your AAC Learner Score points with the AAC learners in your life with implementation ideas that make practicing with speech-generating devices fun and engaging! Our fan favorite online resources AAC Language Lab® and ChatCorner will help you plan your implementation strategies for success wi...
Exclusively Designed for Parents and Family Members of AAC Learners You’ll knock your communication partner skills out of the park with invaluable support and guidance from our AAC Group Coaching Program. Developed specifically for parents, guardians, family members, and other caregivers of communicators using AAC, t...
Your Back-to-School Resource for Communication Success Start the school year off right by training and flexing your AAC muscles with PRC-Saltillo’s AAC Learning Journey, one streamlined platform featuring a winning array of resources including e-learning classes and instructor-led trainings. You’ll score big wi...
Take a few moments to update your TouchChat®, LAMP Words for Life® and Dialogue® AAC apps to the newest 2.38 version and enjoy the latest these popular apps have to offer. All English and Spanish Acapela Voices for Adults and Kids Now Free Now available in the following versions of the TouchChat app: Cla...
Take a few moments to update your Accent device with the newest 1.16 version of Empower to experience its latest features! This easy-to-use software is made even better with these helpful updates. Exciting New Empower 1.16 Features: It’s even easier to calibrate NuPoint head tracking with a new centered curs...
Forever in Our Hearts as a Friend, Colleague, and Champion for the AAC Community Passionate. Joyful. Artistic. Fun. Caring. These are just some of the words that are consistently top of mind for Jane’s closest friends and colleagues as they reflect on her life and legacy. Words somehow don’t seem sufficie...
Be sure to update your Accent device with the newest 1.15 version of Empower to take advantage of the latest features that make this easy-to-use, intuitive software better than ever! Exciting New Empower 1.15 Features: Entire keyboard will now change to reflect the use of shift and caps lock, helping user visually...
Experience PRC-Saltillo’s new AAC Learning Journey website and discover a great variety of resources including eLearning classes and live online instructor-led trainings. From parents looking for ways to help their augmentative communicator to clinicians, educators and other professionals committed to expanding their ...
It’s time to update your Accent device to the newest software version – Empower 1.14 or NuVoice 2.24. Here are some of the cool new features you’ll find in the latest updates: Accent with Empower 1.14 Add a delay between button actions When user adds a new word to a vocabulary, it automatically gets a...
With this software update you’ll see that: Updates have been made to the Almagu TTS engine PRC/Minspeak symbols have been updated
If you haven't updated to Empower 1.13, you won't want to miss these cool new features! Streaming capability added to the Empower browser for websites like Netflix or Spotify Type with core sequences instead of a keyboard for Text Messaging and other Empower Apps New button action to link directly to a remote control p...
On December 9th, 2021, PRC-Saltillo released version 2.34 updates to its three AAC industry-leading iOS Apps: TouchChat®, LAMP Words for Life®, and Dialogue® AAC. Included in the 2.34 release are many exciting software features, as well as brand new Inclusive Voices by Almagu. These voices vary in age and backg...
Files created in software version 2.34 or higher cannot be imported into devices running software version 2.33.2 or lower. This affects any file backed up, transferred, or exported from software version 2.34, even if the vocabulary was initially created in an earlier software version. For example, if you have updated your...
The connection between Prentke Romich Company (PRC) and Semantic Compaction Systems (SCS) is one rooted in friendship and common goals. Barry Romich recalls that he first met Bruce Baker at a conference in the late 1970s where Bruce explained the Minspeak® System to him as a way of increasing the speed of communicatio...
LAMP Words For Life Update 2.33.0 is here…read below for important information. “Include default buttons” option when creating a new page in LAMP WFL has been removed. Starting with this 2.33.0 release, support is discontinued for iOS 11. Why? With every release, we ensure that new features can be...
Haven’t upgraded your Accent device to Empower 1.12 yet? You could be missing out on some great new features! List-o-Matic List-o-Matic is a fun new way to create one button that executes a list, either in order, or at random. Use it to create: A random dice roll Your own Mad Libs Magic 8 Ball Jokes List-o...
Tamira, an African-American Adult Female voice, is the latest addition to voices available from PRC-Saltillo. Your Voice Is Important Created in conjunction with Acapela Group, Tamira is the first of four African-American voices that will be coming to PRC-Saltillo products. Every AAC communicator should be able to communi...
New! For parents/caregivers interested in learning how to be more effective when interacting with a child using augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). Working with a new speech-generating device is exciting, and there’s so much to learn… from understanding the vocabulary system to programming the ...
Now, learning about your favorite AAC apps is easier than ever AACapps.com, the former site for the LAMP Words for Life app, now hosts all three of PRC-Saltillo’s industry-leading AAC apps: LAMP Words for Life TouchChat Dialogue AAC Visit these sites today and learn what makes these popular, research-based la...
Better performance. More precise. Faster tracking. The new Look module for the Accent 1000 from PRC-Saltillo provides the latest in technology for users of eye tracking. The Accent 1000 now offers the same world-class eye tracking performance as the Accent 1400, bringing the same features and powerful configurability to a...
In honor of ALS/MND Global Day of Recognition on June 21, PRC-Saltillo’s newest iOS AAC app, Dialogue™ AAC, will be offered for 50% OFF. The sale will run June 21-27, 2021. Designed for literate individuals who require AAC, Dialogue AAC is based around a keyboard, word prediction, and quick phrases. With its ...
The new Via Pro from PRC-Saltillo combines the most powerful iOS technology with the freedom to choose the features that suit you best. Via Pro comes preloaded with your choice of LAMP Words for Life® or TouchChat with WordPower™, two of the most popular research-based AAC apps. LAMP Words for Life is PRC&rsqu...
Reprinted with permission from CommuniCare Who is Jenny? Our relationship with Jenny began fifteen years ago or so, when we worked with her to get an updated AAC device (a Pathfinder from Prentke Romich Company). More recently, Jenny’s Pathfinder was no longer supported by the company and we needed to make the switc...
New for our Empower software for Accent® devices, enhancements to make using Empower – and your Accent – even easier to use for faster communication. Updates include: Record directly to a button. Now you can record commands, commonly-used phrases, and other shortcuts directly to a button. Create a page o...
With multiple quarantines and lockdowns, it's been a difficult year. But there's no doubt that for kids, it's been especially hard. It was a topic that weighed on Jenn Seiff's mind. Her own son, L.J., himself an AAC device user, was part of a very social group at school that spent time together at lunch. But distance learn...
It's a question we hear fairly often: Keyguards? TouchGuides? KeyGuides? What are they? How are they different? How do I know what to buy? Keyguards, TouchGuides, KeyGuides: A Definition Keyguards, TouchGuides, and KeyGuides are types of access technologies that support touch access on speech generating devices. These are...
Message Banking from PRC-Saltillo is for literate adults who, due to a degenerative neurological disease such as ALS, are transitioning to augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) to communicate and actively engage in life. Message banking has traditionally been a common way to save and use important pieces of comm...
PRC-Saltillo CEO Dave Hershberger cuts the ribbon! PRC-Saltillo celebrated the completion of its recently renovated headquarters with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday, October 20, 2020. Special guests included Wooster Chamber of Commerce (WCC) President Samira Zimmerly along with Katie Foster, Laurent Behrendsen, a...
Introducing Dialogue AAC from PRC-Saltillo. Loved for its power and simplicity, the Essence vocabulary on PRC’s Accent® devices is now available within the new Dialogue AAC app from AAC industry pioneers, PRC-Saltillo. Essence + iOS = Dialogue The Essence® vocabulary is designed for literate adults who, due...
Our page has moved! Please visit AACFunding.com to read the article.
PRC-Saltillo has teamed up once again with Israeli-based Almagu to allow individuals who use its speech-generating devices and iOS apps to create their own unique voices. "PRC-Saltillo currently offers a variety of high-quality voices within its devices and apps," said Sarah Wilds, VP of Product & Service Development. ...
The new Via Pro from PRC-Saltillo combines the most powerful iOS technology with the freedom to choose the features that suit you best. New from PRC-Saltillo: Via Pro, the iOS-based device that offers a choice of apps and a whole lot more. Your Via Pro, Your Way Via Pro comes preloaded with your choice of LAMP Words for ...
Want to rock your virtual therapy and evaluations? If so, don't miss our upcoming TeleTips Guest Webinar Series with five presentations fine-tuned to provide real-world tips and tools from your industry peers. Join us to amp up your virtual experience! Evaluate via TeleAAC Tuesday, August 44 – 5 p.m. ET Guest Pre...
PRC-Saltillo is pleased to partner with Chive Charities to give the gift of communication to a child in need. In July, Chive Charities reached out to PRC-Saltillo on behalf of Wesley G., a 14 year-old from Michigan. Born without eyes and suffering from Selective Mutism, Wesley was unable to communicate and express his need...
PRC will discontinue support for iOS 9 & iOS 10 starting with the 2.26 release coming in July 2020. Why? With every release, we ensure that new features can be used by supported iOS versions (currently iOS 9-13). As technology advances rapidly, it is increasingly difficult to ensure compatibility with out-of-date iOS ...
Jokes and learning and fun – it’s time for camp! While outdoor gatherings and camping right now are on hold, that doesn’t mean kids can’t go virtual and still have a good time. Starting today, the AAC Language Lab is kicking off six weeks of fun, all online, and all guaranteed to have something for...
The tragic death of George Floyd in Minnesota, the worldwide protests in response, and the international movement for racial equality and justice have led to widespread soul searching over the past few weeks. At PRC-Saltillo’s core is our belief that everyone has the right to be treated with respect and fully particip...
How do I create a Virtual Background? As of today, Microsoft Teams and Zoom offer the option of uploading your own virtual backgrounds. If you choose to use these platforms this might be an option for you! If you are not familiar with these platforms, you can learn more about them from this Virtual Meeting Platforms grid. ...
PRC's latest update for Empower now includes Essence! Now available for PRC's Empower™ software, Essence is PRC's language system for literate adults who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). Following a stroke, traumatic brain injury or degenerative neurological disease such as ALS, an individual may...
It is with great sadness that we announce the loss of our friend and colleague, Bruce Baker. Over the past 40 years, Bruce's work has given voice to tens of thousands of individuals. He first conceived of his innovative system of in the 1970s, as he was looking for a topic for his doctoral thesis in modern linguistics and ...
PRC-Saltillo is excited about the release of ALPforAAC.com! What is ALP? The Assessment of Learning Process (ALP) for AAC is a simple clinical framework for understanding how someone learns an access method in AAC. Regardless of access method – eye tracking, switches, head tracking or touch – the ALP for AA...
It’s here! PRC is proud to introduce the latest version of our Accent® 1400 speech-generating device. The new version of the Accent 1400 was designed with eye tracking in mind, with our Look module redesigned to incorporate seamlessly into the device. The new Accent 1400 is: Modular: Fully integrated with ...
AeroSwitch™ Wireless. Versatile. Convenient. Meet AeroSwitch, the new Bluetooth-compatible, wireless switch from PRC-Saltillo. Designed for compatibility with most devices* running iOS, Android and Windows devices using Bluetooth 4.1 or higher, the AeroSwitch offers a host of options: Use it as a hub. Two switch...
cleaningJust like hand washing, cleaning and disinfecting your PRC-Saltillo device on a regular basis is an important habit to get into. To aid in the fight against the spread of germs, here are some helpful steps for properly sanitizing your device and other equipment: First Step: Put on protective gloves Next Step: Clea...
Is your client considering upgrading to a new device? Here are some questions you can ask and considerations to be made when making a request for a new device: Before considering replacement: Has the device been repaired? If so, is there a record of repairs? Is the device beyond repair? If so, how old is the client&rsq...
Recess. Is there any other time at school that children like as much as time spent playing? Children who use AAC, however, face a unique challenge. When playing outside with their classmates, taking an AAC device with them means the device can get broken or lost. But without it, there is no way for the child to communicate...
PRC-Saltillo has been named the 2020 "Business of the Year" by the Wooster Chamber of Commerce. The award is presented annually to a business for its longevity in the community, positive impact on the local economy, contributions to the community's well being, their concern for the well being of its employees, and support ...
AeroText™ is a simple-to-download, easy-to-use, Android™ application that allows the user to call and text through their Android phone using their Accent® device AeroText uses Bluetooth to connect to your phone. You can make changes in the Phone Configuration page of your vocabulary on the Accent device so ...
Least costly equally effective alternative, or LCEEA, is a valuable phrase to understand when putting together evaluation report. LCEEA is defined as the least costly, equally effective SGD alternative that will achieve the treatment goal (see https://www.isaac-online.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018-02-08-USSAAC-Slid...
"These micro:bits may be small, but they're seeds." On October 21, PRC-Saltillo Director of Innovation, Robert Read, presented Superintendent Jeffrey Layton and the Northwestern Local Schools Board with a check for $2,045.65. The amount represents half the purchase price of 120 micro:bits, with the Romich Foundation contri...
My name is McKenzie Tuckson. I am a fashion-forward and intelligent 16 year-old varsity cheerleader, Ambassador of Nashville public schools, Vice President of my junior class and student advocate for the state of Tennessee. l live with Rett Syndrome, but it does not define me. I enjoy attending classes at Whites Creek...
Last year, PRC-Saltillo was pleased to sponsor two Academy of Neurologic Communication Disorders and Sciences (ANCDS) Fellowship Awards. Founded in 1988, ANCDS is non-profit, professional organization with the goal of "enhancing the communicative lives of people affected by neurologic disorders." Every year, ANCDS offers ...
— by Beth Studdiford Standardized Assessment is defined on the ASHA website as an empirically developed evaluation tool with established reliability and validity. Formal testing may be useful for assessing the structure and form of language, but may not provide an accurate assessment of an individual's use of languag...
Introducing Engage! Designed for the emerging users of AAC, Engage™ helps those using eye tracking (or eyegaze) technology to facilitate growth through simple explorative and interactive activities. Start simple…and build Engage provides an array of interactive activities and communication displays. Entirely...
Kyleigh Kramlich, 17, has competed in close to two dozen marathons and half-marathons, and is getting set to compete in the Atlanta, Georgia area Peachtree Road Race this holiday weekend. She is the daughter of PRC-Saltillo’s own Kristine Kramlich, a regional consultant for PRC in the northern part of the state. Kyl...
Establishing the medical necessity of an SGD for your client is the primary goal of your SGD evaluation report and it can be a daunting task. What are medically based funding sources looking for in SGD evaluation reports that will satisfy this requirement of establishing medical necessity? Make the path to proving medical n...
It was a project near and dear to her heart. For PRC-Saltillo’s Jane Odom, M.Ed., the Language Lab has been the fulfillment of a desire to provide augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) materials to educators, SLPs, parents and communicators themselves. “Helping to facilitate language development mea...
PRC, a world leader in providing AAC communication solutions for people with speech-related disabilities, announced that it will discontinue production of the NuEye eye tracking module. This decision is a result of key components no longer being available from suppliers. "The NuEye has been an important part of the commu...
PRC-Saltillo has announced the introduction of a new eye tracking module for its PRC brand, the PRC Look™. Debuting at the annual Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA) conference at the end of January 2019, the PRC Look will replace its previous eye tracking solution, NuEye®. Look is smaller and light...
Clean. Fresh. Modern: Empower™. Empower is PRC’s new interface for Accent® devices that’s easy to use. Empower uses common terms and familiar actions, with clear directions and descriptions. The streamlined and simpler navigation makes it easy to start communicating – fast. Empower is designed ...
The Prentke Romich Company is pleased to announce the merger of Prentke Romich Co. (PRC) and its sister company, Saltillo. Established in 1966 by Ed Prentke and Barry Romich, PRC has grown into a worldwide developer of speech-generating devices (SGDs) as well as several innovative language systems that allow individuals wi...
Once again it’s time for the annual ATIA conference in sunny Orlando, Florida, and PRC will be there to introduce some exciting new goodies! Ready to Empower? Empower™ is our new system software for all Access® devices, from the sleek new next-generation 800 to the 1400. Empower™ makes it easier tha...
PRC is pleased to introduce the new Accent® 800. The updated Accent 800 now includes the features you already love, but improved: All-day Portability. The new Accent 800 is smaller and lighter, making it even easier to carry. Increased Audio Fidelity. Improved audio for a richer sound with less distortion across ...
When speech and vision are an issue, LAMP Words for Life can be adapted and used by those unable to see and communicate For Ani, communication was a struggle from the beginning. Ani lost her vision shortly after birth and spent the first years of her life in a Bulgarian orphanage, but at age two was adopted into a loving ...
“Here’s my new mission. Here’s my new battle.” For Samantha Brant, the diagnosis of Rett Syndrome for her 3-1/2 year-old daughter, Macy, came as a complete surprise. But once she came to grips with it, she determined to fight back – and in a big way. In honor of her daughter and for all the ...
“It really opened my heart.” For Samantha Brant, her daughter Macy has been one surprise after another, beginning with finding out she was pregnant. “Little did I think I would have any more children,” she laughed. Sam, a hardworking, busy executive for a major retailer, was already the mother of ...
Our page has moved! Please visit https://www.prentrom.com/caregivers/world-cerebral-palsy-day to read the article.
Join PRC as we celebrate AAC Awareness Month! All this month we'll be posting infographics, success stories, facts, FAQs and more about AAC. Bookmark this page and check back often and discover how AAC has helped children and adults to communicate, learn the history of AAC and a whole lot more. We look forward to seeing y...
Once again, a hurricane has devastated homes, communities and families. And once again, PRC and Saltillo are reaching out to help. Make a Donation To assist those in the AAC community whose lives were upended, PRC and Saltillo have donated $10,000 to the United States Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication...
Despite her diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy (CP), Haleigh has worked hard to overcome many challenges in her 11 years. "Haleigh wakes up every day with a smile on her face, ready to face whatever the day may bring," reports her mom, Becky. When Haleigh was younger, she used a form of simple sign language she had taught hersel...
"When she was eight months old, I had a nagging feeling something was off." For Marta Conner, this was the first indication that something was happening with her daughter, Caroline. Searching for a Diagnosis "Our girls develop normally for the first year or so," she said, so while Caroline seemed to be hitting her develo...
Back-To-School; Are You Ready? Here are 10 Things You Need to Know! It’s that time again –school bells are ringing! It’s tough to adjust from the long, slow summer days to the hectic pace of the school year, but we’re here to help. But, we want to make sure you’re prepared to support your stu...
News of note: Remembrance: Amber Tatro Amber Tatro, who's family sued on her behalf to expand services schools were required to provide disabled children, has recently died at age 42. Read her obituary in The New York Times Read her obituary in The Washington Post Poetry Is a Way of Being in the World That Wasn&rsq...
“It kind of surprises me how nervous people get about the device.” For Mary Kvitko, PRC’s Accent 800 has meant the world to her family – and to her five year-old son, Oscar. The Road to PRC Because he is nonverbal, Oscar – a bubbly, happy, easygoing little boy – first began communicati...
"Making sure children with speech disorders receive the speech therapy and technology they need." For Orange Effect founder Joe Pulizzi and his wife, Executive Director Pam Pulizzi, it's more than just a mission statement - it's their joy and their passion. Cleveland-based Orange Effect is the foundation they establishe...
Our page has moved! Please visit https://www.prentrom.com/caregivers/cri-du-chat-awareness-week to read the article.
"I love him sooooo much!" I squeal and clap my hands, then stretch my fingers out and wiggle them, eyes wide, crouched, ready to tickle my six-year-old son Tobin. He looks me right in the eyes, an expectant grin growing across his face. We lock eyes for a good five seconds: I’m crouched and ready, while he stands wit...
Our page has moved! Please visit https://www.prentrom.com/caregivers/may-is-better-hearing-and-speech-month to read the article.
Our page has moved! Please visit https://www.prentrom.com/caregivers/april-is-autism-awareness-month to read the article.
The Prentke Romich family of companies is pleased to announce the introduction of its new funding website: AACFunding.com. A joint venture between Prentke Romich Co. (PRC) and sister company Saltillo Corporation, the site was designed to assist speech-language pathologists (SLPs) and clinicians to make the entire funding p...
For nearly 20 years, outgoing CEO Dave Moffatt has been a leader, an inspiration and a guiding figure to those of us at Prentke Romich. As he transitions to the next phase of his life, Dave would like to thank many of YOU who have been an inspiration to him. Below is a letter he asked we publish on this, his first full day...
Our page has moved! Please visit https://www.prentrom.com/caregivers/march-is-cerebral-palsy-awareness-month to read the article.
Our page has moved! Please visit https://www.prentrom.com/caregivers/march-is-brain-injury-awareness-month to read the article.
Our page has moved! Please visit https://www.prentrom.com/caregivers/international-wheelchair-day to read the article.
Meet: Anthony Darrah Age: 12 Device: Accent® 1000 for 2 years. Unity® 84 sequenced Lives in: OH Favorites: Ice cream for sure!! Reading books, cheering for his sister at softball, playing baseball, music and dancing, and of course socializing with everyone!! Anthony has never met a stranger. Loving, friendly, ou...
The date? March 7-9. The location? Seattle, WA. The event? The 2018 General & Special Education Conference, where PRC’s own Jane Odom, along with Dr. Caroline Musselwhite, will be presenting. The conference is a continuing education and networking opportunity for special education teachers, SLP, specialists, tuto...
Welcome to the Next Generation You know the PRC Accent® 1000: portable, easy to access and complete with an extensive vocabulary. Now the best just got even better. The updated Accent 1000 includes the features you already love, but improved: All-day Portability. The new Accent 1000 is smaller and lighter, making i...
Our page has moved! Please visit https://www.prentrom.com/caregivers/international-angelman-day to read the article.
This month, PRC will be attending the Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA) 2018 Conference. The conference, held annually, is a showcase for manufacturers, sellers and providers of assistive technology products, equipment and systems that enhance learning, working and daily living for persons with disabilities....
PRC is pleased to announce that it has partnered with wheelchair mount provider Rehadapt to offer a streamlined system of mounts designed to complement their full range of communication devices. “Rehadapt’s mounting solutions are the perfect complement to PRC’s devices,” said PRC CEO Dave Hershberge...
This year marks the 21st year of the Edwin and Esther Prentke AAC Distinguished Lecture held at the annual American Speech-Hearing Association (ASHA) conference. This year, ASHA is in Los Angeles, and visitors will have the opportunity to hear Yoosun Chung, of George Mason University. She’ll share her unique life ex...
We’re happy to announce that our tough and durable Xtreme™ Case is now available for the Accent 800! Much like it’s larger cousin, the Xtreme Case for the Accent 1000, the Xtreme Case for the Accent 800 offers an extra layer of protection to our already-tough devices. The case fits on snugly, and screws ...
Saltillo President Dave Hershberger Named to Lead PRC Prentke Romich Co. (PRC) has announced the appointment of a new Chief Executive Officer for the PRC family of companies, including PRC, Saltillo and the international subsidiary businesses in Canada, the UK, Germany and Australia, effective January 1, 2018. Dave Hershb...
Like most children with Angelman Syndrome, Alex only communicated with natural gestures. “He really didn’t have a way to communicate effectively at home,” said his mom. “Alex would point to things he wanted, go to the pantry and/or refrigerator to obtain items, or simply pick from choices given to ...
Earlier this month, we were pleased to host longtime PRC device user Anthony Dale, his father, Peter, and family friend, John, from the U.K.! Anthony has been using our devices since he was five, for a total of 24 years. At a reception held to welcome him and his family, they were interviewed by the Wooster Daily Record a...
Our page has moved! Please visit https://www.prentrom.com/caregivers/down-syndrome-awareness-month to read the article.
Our page has moved! Please visit https://www.prentrom.com/caregivers/national-disability-employment-awareness-month to read the article.
Congratulations Barry! PRC is proud to announce that our own Barry Romich was honored Oct. 10 by the Wayne County Communication Foundation (WCCF) as this year’s recipient of the Friend of Philanthropy Award. According to the WCCF website, the award “recognizes the difference that individuals and families can m...
Prentke Romich Company has updated its look with a new logo, tagline and more. The company will begin introducing its new identity throughout the fall as part of a phased rollout. “It was a large undertaking,” said Dave Moffatt, CEO. “But the current PRC logo and tagline have been in place, in some form,...
October is Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) Awareness Month! Many people aren’t aware of, or don’t understand AAC. For those whom communication is difficult or impossible, AAC allows them to express their needs and wants, and more fully participate in decisions that affect their lives. AAC also...
Our page has moved! Please visit https://www.prentrom.com/caregivers/rett-syndrome-awareness-month to read the article.
Fall is here: Falling leaves, warm cozy sweaters, and, of course, Halloween! But October is also filled with awareness days and observances. It's a busy month, and here’s what PRC has in store: Rett Syndrome Awareness Month Affecting mostly girls, Rett Syndrome is a rare, non-inherited genetic disorder. Girls affec...
Our page has moved! Please visit https://www.prentrom.com/caregivers/international-ataxia-awareness-day to read the article.
Happy Fall! PRC has been busy over the summer, ensuring our language systems, access methods and support are updated to meet the needs of our clients, their clinicians and their families. So: “What’s New with PRC?” Watch the video for in-depth details, or see below for the highlights. We have new ...
This page has moved! Please visit https://www.prentrom.com/caregivers/national-rehabilitation-week to read the article.
Earlier this year, we received a call from someone representing The Eric Fund; would we be interested in helping a young man receive a device? Of course we would. Overcoming Multiple Adversities At 14, James has endured more than any young boy should. He has undergone two open-heart surgeries and a bone marrow transplan...
The company now includes a free, one year subscription to both its Realize and Language Lab services with the purchase of a new device September 6, 2017, Wooster, Ohio - PRC is pleased to announce that two of its most popular products, Realize Language™ (www.RealizeLanguage.com) and the AAC Language Lab® (www.AAC...
Updated to reflect the impact of Hurricane Irma They broke records, destroyed homes and devastated neighborhoods. Coming into Texas and Florida as Category 4 whirlwinds, Hurricanes Harvey and Irma brought unprecedented destruction to the city of Houston and surrounding areas and the entire state of Florida. All of us at P...
It started with a single phone call. The caller was a grandmother looking for a pair of laceless shoes for her grandson, who was unable to tie his own. Unable to help, Zappos resolved to change that. As a result, the company launched the “Zappos Adaptive” line, featuring clothing and shoes designed for people ...
New bilingual language app brings the power of motor planning to bilingual communicators on an iPad Once again, PRC leads the way in language system innovation for individuals with autism. Prentke Romich Co. (PRC) is pleased to announce an upgrade enhancement to the LAMP Words for Life application. Introducing LAMP Words ...
Last month, PRC was in Washington, D.C., as part of The ALS Association’s 2017 Advocacy Conference. Over 600 ALS advocates and people living with the disease came to share their stories to their Congressional representatives and urge them to act on behalf of the ALS community. PRC is proud to sponsor The ALS Associa...
“When a person is diagnosed with ALS, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, he is expected to fade away quietly and die. This is not okay.” In 2015, Congress overwhelmingly approved a bill that made sweeping changes to Medicare. Included in the bill: a provision to no longer fund the purchase of speech-ge...
Augmentative and Alternative Communication’s most innovative language system is now even better! PRC is pleased to announce the release of the Unity 2.0 language system. The most innovative and established AAC language system in the industry, the Unity language system is now even easier to use – and easier to ...
A recent article from the Associated Press highlights the soothing effect pets can have on children with autism. The story includes photos of Zucca, a black Labrador, and Perry, who provide a calming influence during potentially stressful trips to the dentist. After years of terrifying visits to the dentist, the 9-year-...
“There is hope…don’t give up.” When a child is diagnosed with a rare illness, it can be devastating for parents. Depending on the condition, there may be multiple resources that can be tapped into for advice, information…and a shoulder to lean on when it becomes overwhelming. But what if t...
On Thursday, April 27, 2017, the United States Senate’s Special Committee on Aging conducting a hearing on Aging Without Community: The Consequences of Isolation and Loneliness. The hearing was live-streamed on the Committee’s website, and was an insightful look into one of the biggest challenges faci...
Virtual reality. Once, it was the stuff of science fiction and fantasy, conjuring up fantastic worlds and possibilities. Fast forward to today, and virtual reality is no longer a futuristic idea – it’s here and now. Although still in its infancy, virtual reality is rapidly becoming not just a tool for gamers ...
PRC is pleased to introduce two new language systems designed specifically for those building communication skills in a bilingual environment. Introducing: UNIDAD UNIDAD is based on the innovative Unity language system and delivers the power and flexibility of Unity with a system that enables identical motor plans...
It's almost summer, and it's almost time for summer camp! Summer camp is a great opportunity for kids to learn independence, make friends, have fun…and be kids! Looking for a camp to attend? Visit our Summer Camps page to find a camp experience near you. Have an AAC-friendly summer camp you'd like to include? Subm...
Parents who pull their children out of public schools on the strength of a private school voucher could find themselves unknowingly giving up their rights to the very help they were hoping to gain. The New York Times reports that many parents may not realize that by abandoning public schools, they give up their protections...
PRC is happy to announce it has partnered with with RettSyndrome.org. As part of its sponsorship, we will be on hand in nine national Strollathons, Rettsyndrome.org’s signature fundraising event, providing information and education to families. The Strollathon was first introduced in 2004 in only four locations &ndas...
According to the Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics, the national average wait time for developmental pediatric evaluations is approximately 5 months. Of 244 hospitals listed, 140 unique programs were identified and called in English. One hundred four programs were reached. Ninety programs met inclusion...
Ohio-Based Company provides Communications Solutions for People Living with ALS Ohio-based Prentke Romich Company (PRC) today announced its sponsorship of The ALS Association, including its 2017 National ALS Advocacy Conference in May. PRC, a global leader in the development of augmentative and alternative communication (...
Meet Karla! She is the super dedicated mom to sweet Luz who battles Rett Syndrome, a neurological disorder that mainly affects girls and robs them of their ability to speak, use their hands ... or run. She says she doesn't consider herself an athlete, but dictionary.com says an athlete is "a person trained or gifted in exer...
This page has moved! Please visit https://www.prentrom.com/caregivers/moebius-syndrome-awareness-day to read the article.
Ready…set…go! PRC is proud to be a Silver Sponsor of Team Girl Power 2 Cure (GP2C) as they participate in the Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend, presented by Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. Made up of women determined to help find a cure for Rett Syndrome, Team GP2C will be joining other team...
We’re headed off to sunny Orlando, Florida, to attend this year’s ATIA Conference, January 18-21, at the Caribe Royale Hotel and Convention Center! ATIA is “the place to learn more about advances in assistive technology, stay on top of best practices and trends and network with others who make, sell, deli...
Congratulations to Josette Drees of Mary Cariola Children’s Center, winner of PRC’s American Speech-Hearing Association Conference (ASHA) drawing! She came to it later than most. “I discovered speech-language pathology in my mid-20s,” said Josette Drees. But when she did it came as no surprise; &ld...
For a growing number of people, their eyes are the key to unlocking the world of communication. At the dawn of eye gaze technology, it was considered nothing short of a miracle. Today, however, it’s become a necessity for many, a way of communicating and navigating the world. But for longtime PRC partner SensoMotori...
A new year…a new online resource! PRC is proud to unveil its brand-new website in time for the start of a new year. The site has been refreshed to be not only more visually appealing but to focus on the needs of professionals – and now caregivers, as well. The new prentrom.com has been updated to include a se...
The odds, they told her, were astronomical. The chances of her son having a rare disorder were the same as being struck by lightning. And then lightning struck once more. For Barrington, NJ, residents Kelly Sexton and her husband, Ryan, getting an official diagnosis for their two sons, Dylan, 7, and Logan, 5, was a myster...
PRC has been a proud supporter of VocaliD from its inception, as they have worked to create customized, individualized voices for individuals who cannot speak.The combination of a PRC language system and VocaliD voice means that both the words that are spoken and the voice that is heard is one-of-a kind. People who use o...
Stephanie Taymuree has witnessed huge advances in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) during her nearly 40 years as a speech-language pathologist (SLP) and special educator, and her implementation of AAC technology in the classroom is unrivaled. But she still finds it thrilling when a student embraces AAC to ex...
"Every day you have with your child is a gift," says Natalie Bailey, mother of six-year-old Adeline. That philosophy has helped Natalie and her husband, Dr, Stephen Bailey, contend with Adeline's developmental disabilities stemming from Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS). "During a routine sonogram at 24 weeks gestatio...
Joey Summers, the recent winner of a prestigious award for exemplary Ohio special education students, enjoys using his augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) device to tell jokes and charm his teacher and therapy team. But communication hasn’t always come easy for this bright young man. It took a caring pro...
Diagnosed with cerebral palsy at age six months, Mindy Thomas of Bluffton, Indiana has significant physical and communication challenges. Now in her 40s, married and a mother, she has successfully met those challenges with the help of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). As a young child, Mindy used a simple f...
