My daughter is 4 yrs old with a speech delay, but she is making some progress. She will make requests, I want......, is started to understand and respond yes/no, getting basic 1 step directions, and is starting to use more and more words spontaneously - including verbs. But she is not speaking in full sentences, or conversing per se. One SLT that has just started to see her suggested using some assistive device - like an Cheap Talker - the special education support teacher and school speech therapist are very hesitant about the idea. They feel we should focus on getting her to use her own words more. But, from what I read - the assistive device might just do that..... Would be interested in hearing from anyone that has used tools like Cheap Talker or similiar products and if it was a bridge to more speech.In my experience when you get a lower end device (ie. cheap talker) you severely limit what the child can/will say. You can not program it to support spontaneous speech and this is really the goal for our kids. I would aggress with the special ed teacher and speech therapist that it is not a good idea.
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