Thanks Margaret!  I have started encouraging our patients to use the SGDs for communication and PCs for computer usage.  What is happening is that they end up using the computer so much more (sometimes not using the SGD at all) that they feel like the SGD is a waste of money.   Even if the patient has no out-of-pocket.

I have one patient who feels "used" by the SGD industry as his $500 laptop with a webcam and adaptive mouse is more reliable than his $20,000 SGD (including taxes, mount, etc).  He doesn't speak with his laptop, but could.  He has a call chime he can use and is perfectly happy having people read what he writes. When he will have trouble is when he transitions to spending more of the day in tilt.  I suspect he'll use the SGD then.

Overall, anytime I have someone who loves their computer and spends a lot of time on it,  I know they are going to be unhappy with their SGDs.  I'm just trying to find a way to keep them happy as long as possible.

Jen Coggiola, MA, CCC/SLP
Speech Pathologist
ALS Center at UCSF
400 Parnassus Ave., 8th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94143
(415) 353-2122 clinic phone
(415) 353-2524 clinic fax
(925) 323-0175 cell phone
xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
________________________________________
From: xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Margaret Cotts [xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxx]
Sent: Tuesday, February 09, 2010 9:06 AM
To: xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: RE: using SGDs vs modifying computers

Hi Jen-
I think it's the nature of computers (any kind of computer), that it will
break down at some point... I think trying to rely on tech support from a
conventional computer company (like Dell), could lead to a lot of headache.

A different approach would be to encourage clients to reserve the SGDs for
communication, and to use a standard computer or laptop for things like
watching online television/video, surfing the internet, etc.

(The SGD should be powerful enough to deal with email. But it's possible
that there are so much non-communication software running in the background
that it's slowing the SGD.)

Margaret Cotts

-----Original Message-----
From: xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Coggiola, Jennifer
L.
Sent: Tuesday, February 09, 2010 8:16 AM
To: xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: using SGDs vs modifying computers

Hi eveyone,

My high-tech patients have been really frustrated these past 2 years with
their SGDs.  They are on Dynavox (V Max/EyeMax) or Tobii (P10, C12/Ceye)
devices.  Everyone's devices have broken at some point.  Most have sent them
in for repairs at least 2 times.  The SGD is not a fully functioning
computer, even when unlocked.  Patients have had problems with software
incompatability, device freezing related to RAM or processor, not being able
to watch online television/video due to limited RAM, slow
uploading/downloading of email related to SGD company's server, etc.

I'm really re-thinking the idea of introducing these into peoples lives vs
keeping them on their computer as long as possible.  Maybe only ordering the
eyegaze systems as a last resort for my high tech patients, and having them
give EZKeys a really long trial if they have a switch access point.  My
biggest challenge with using computers instead of SGDs is mounting.  Has
anyone else experienced this?  Any success with mounting computers?

Jen Coggiola, MA, CCC/SLP
Speech Pathologist
ALS Center at UCSF
400 Parnassus Ave., 8th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94143
(415) 353-2122 clinic phone
(415) 353-2524 clinic fax
(925) 323-0175 cell phone
xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx