Vocabularies

What is a vocabulary?

A vocabulary organization is a way of organizing words in an AAC system so that people who use the system to communicate can find the words they need to express themselves. How vocabulary should be organized depends on the needs of the individual user - language skills, physical and visual access needs, and what kind of navigation structure is most intuitive for the individual.

Proloquo2Go offers two different vocabularies - Crescendo and Gateway.

Crescendo™

Consistent core word placement, extensive fringe and flexibility

The built-in Crescendo core word vocabulary offers three vocabulary levels in 23 different grid sizes. Users can easily transition as language skills expand while customizations are retained. Core words appear in the same location across folders to support learning through motor planning. Access to an extensive collection of fringe words and personalized fringe word pages support language exploration. Proloquo2Go and the Crescendo vocabulary are available in English, Spanish, French and Dutch, with support for bilingual use so you can instantly switch between languages at any time. Learn more

Gateway to Language & Learning©

High-frequency core word vocabulary with focused fringe

Gateway to Language & Learning is a popular core word vocabulary first developed in 1997 by Joan Bruno, Ph.D., CCC-SLP. Gateway has five vocabulary levels, each targeting a different set of communication needs and abilities. Users with a preference for Gateway can benefit from using it with Proloquo2Go’s additional grid sizes and superior interface design, powerful access options and the ability to easily transition from one vocabulary set to the next without having to copy buttons between users. Gateway is available through an in-app purchase. Learn more

Should vocabulary choice be based on diagnosis?

We do not think you need to choose a vocabulary based on diagnosis. In our clinical experience we’ve found it's not possible to predict communication potential based on diagnosis alone. In fact, it can be harmful to do so. Assumptions about developmental potential can have a significant effect on communication outcomes.

Factors including which words we give people access to and how we teach AAC have a significant influence on communication success. Use of core word vocabularies and modeling are two strategies that have proven successful with all diagnoses.

Crescendo is designed to support users with a broad range of diagnoses that affect typical development of speech and language. These include autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, developmental apraxia of speech, and Angelman Syndrome, to name a few.

Who should choose Gateway on Proloquo2Go?

Gateway on Proloquo2Go is an excellent choice if you are already using Gateway on another system or device. You'll enjoy Proloquo2Go’s powerful features, range of voices and customization options while using a vocabulary you are already familiar with. Gateway is available through an in-app purchase.

Automatic navigation
Gateway is also a good choice if you are a strong believer in automatic navigation. Gateway offers three different kinds of automatic navigation not found in Crescendo:

• Snapback: When you make a choice on a fringe page, Gateway uses the Proloquo2Go Snapback feature to return you automatically to the Home page.
• Semantic Power Strips: Small popups that offer a selection of words related to the button that launched the popup. For example, touching “know” pops up verbs related to “know” such as learn, study, think, and understand.
• Sentence Development Links: Verb folders on the Home page automatically navigate to a fringe page that is likely to be useful in forming a complete sentence. For example, touching “eat” takes you to the food page. (Available only in Child Functional, Teen/Adult Functional, and Developing Language vocabulary levels.)

Automatic grammar features
Gateway also offers a language efficiency strategy called Dynamic Morphology - a set of automatic grammar features not available in Crescendo. With Dynamic Morphology:

• Verb buttons switch to the third person singular (-s), progressive (-ing), or infinitive (to -) forms automatically when words are selected that indicate a good chance these tenses will be needed.
• Pronoun buttons switch to the objective form when certain prepositions are selected.

Dynamic Morphology aims to speed up the communication of people who already have good grammar skills. It makes simple complete sentences quicker to construct, but can make more complex or partial sentences less straightforward to create. It is only available in the Advanced Communicator and Text vocabulary levels. This is because the changing forms in the verb and pronoun buttons can cause confusion and interfere with grammar learning for people still learning language. Dynamic Morphology required complex programming, so customization beyond the usual personalization of fringe pages is not recommended.

Who should choose Crescendo?

Crescendo is Proloquo2Go’s native vocabulary and does not require an in-app purchase. It is an excellent choice if you prefer full flexibility and an extensive collection of fringe words to explore language.

Multiple languages
Gateway is available for English only, and although it works for all regions, it has been optimized for American English. Crescendo offers English localized for the US, UK, and Australia. Crescendo also supports Spanish and offers bilingual Spanish/English vocabulary. As we add other languages and new features to Proloquo2Go we will always ensure Crescendo maximizes their use. For a third-party vocabulary such as Gateway we cannot guarantee this.

Easy fringe page customization
Crescendo’s VocaPriority™ system is also unique. It makes customization of fringe pages a breeze without needing to delete or create buttons.

Time-saving templates
Crescendo is designed to keep relevant core words in the same location throughout the vocabulary, even on fringe pages. We do this using templates for fringe pages such as:

• Nouns (Food, People, Places, Things and Time)
• Situational (Leisure, Phrases, Religion, School and Sport)
• Grammar (Adjectives and Verbs)
• Activity (Create, Daily Life, Let’s Talk, Motor Play, Out & About, Reading and Toys & Games)

These templates save time by giving you all the research-based, relevant words as a starting point. Crescendo's activity templates let you keep the focus on core words even while using activity-specific pages.

Seamless transitions
Crescendo makes it easy for you to switch vocabulary levels and grid sizes but customizations are always retained.