Hi! not a parent, but question about AAC devices?
There's a good chance I'm autistic (but I don't personally need an AAC device) but I still am curious because I heard one lady say the app she uses for her child was 300 bucks?!
what features are IN those things and what features do you wish they had? it sounded like it was oddly difficult to figure out from what she said to the point they're supposed to have someone teach you how to use it, and used a lot of power, so I was wondering just what the deal was with this. I had a loved one who passed who had ALS who also used a similar device to communicate with people and...I just kind of want to know is how it all works and all and if there's like , at least some open source alternatives out there for you guys or what specific features are worth that level of money. I mean it's probably a lot more complicated than I'm expecting but I am kind of thrown off by the entire concept of an app let alone one so important being...that expensive. and I just am hoping to understand better out of curiosity. I know it's probably partially because it's a medical app of some sort but is that really the only reason an app with basic speech synthesis and text to speech + some basic premade buttons and the ability to make your own buttons that expensive? Is there more to it than that?
(note: sorry if I come across as rude at all I don't think I am but I can't always tell, please read this assuming I only mean the best and fully sympathise with those who have to deal with this stuff and the only anger or frustration I feel is on behalf of those who can't afford a voice and I worry that might have come out in my tone, thank you for understanding!)