LOGAN PROXTALKER
Annotated Bibliography
1. Autism Health and Wellness Editorial Board. (2010, October 5). Universities Studying
the Benefits of Uniquely Exceptional Communications Device, The ProxTalker.
Retrieved from http://www.autismhealthandwellnes.blogspot.com
The ProxTalker is a user friendly device. It is important to provide children and users
with a device that is not too complex to use properly. Purdue University and Northern
Arizona University are conducting research on the Logan ProxTalker which speaks
volumes for the device. Research is only conducted on products they view as
breakthroughs. The product facilitates communication allowing for more social
interaction and increased positive outlook with less frustration. The device was designed
to be durable and has withstood being thrown in a pool twice by the designer’s son as
well as driven over by his car. This is an important feature because users can put the
device through a lot.
2. Merion Matters. (2010, December 16). Logan ProxTalker Wins BHTA Independent
Living Design Award. Retrieved from http://speech-language-pathology
audiology.advanceweb.com
The Logan ProxTalker won the British Healthcare Trades Association’s industry award for
Independent Living Design. This was the first time a communication device won the award.
The Logan ProxTalker had the innovation, aesthetic appeal, ease of use, enhancement of quality
of life and clarity of user instructions the judges were looking for. The article goes on to
describe how Glen Dobbs wanted the ProxTalker be portable, versatile, reliable and simple to
use. The technology used is RFID which allows phrases, songs, sounds, and words to be
LOGAN PROXTALKER
recorded to a picture so that the user can quickly and easily communicate. The device was
designed for people with Autism but has been used for people of all ages with various
communication difficulties.
3. Swedberg, C. (2009, May 19). RFID Gives Voice to Nonverbal Children. Retrieved
from http://www.rfidjournal.com/article/view/4907
New York Public School district 75 noticed the improvement in communication for
students with multiple disabilities because of the Logan ProxTalker. The school was
given the devices as a trial and from day one children who are not able to speak began
putting entire sentences together. The technology that the Logan ProxTalker uses is
called Radio Frequency Identification or RFID for short. The device comes with sound
takes that can be used to record words directly on the tag and then labeled with a
corresponding image or written words. This device gives a voice to the words a person is
choosing to use which makes it easier to use in all settings. The person receiving the
message does not need to see or understand what the image represents because it is
spoken out loud by the device. District 75’s Assistive Technology coordinated said the
students testing the Logan ProxTalker took off with it. First by using one word, then
putting multiple words together and using it to communicate with each other. The device
can be used by those who know PECS but with a larger volume of words to choose and
having a voice makes communicating quicker and easier for all involved.
4. Various Authors. (2011, May). Testimonials. Retrieved from http://proxtalker.com
One teacher felt her student was exploring language and building sentences more so
than when using PECS. She also felt it was unintimidating for his mother to learn how to
use. Another 9 year old user with limited communication can use the device
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independently and it has helped improve his vocalizations in conversations. Others who
have felt their children became bored with PECS became more motivated to
communicate with the Logan ProxTalker. One such user was able to communicate that
he preferred a glass of milk over his usual Ribena. His mother recorder Ribena over the
drink tab and he was able to rip that off and put down the milk tab which came with the
system. His mother was excited that he was able to communicate outside of the
constraints PECS holds on children because many times choices are limited to what
others in a person’s life thinks he or she needs or wants.