SVOPower Light Edition app for iPhone and iPad

SVO Power™ is a communications app and methodology developed by Dr. Julie Ray Roberts. In her autism-focused speech pathology practice, she saw learners who experienced significant challenges in developing functional communication using traditional approaches. Often, learners would be unable to move beyond one-word expressions.

As a multidisciplinary speech-language-pathologist Dr. Roberts brought together her knowledge of the syntax structures in American Sign Language, Skinner’s Analysis of Verbal Behavior (1957) from the science of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and created the SVO Power™ system and app.

SVO Power can bridge the gap from little communication to more complex communication. It provides a mechanism for teaching the meanings of words and an understanding of how we use language to communicate. For many learners, especially those with autism spectrum disorders, we see that they are often very literal and successful with concrete concepts. SVO Power provides a very specific meaning attached to a word allowing the learner to know exactly what it means, leaving less room for confusion and more for meaningful use of language.

The use of concrete words is encouraged, avoiding ambiguous words that could hold multiple meanings. This helps the learner avoid development of a rote repertoire of button pushing on a voice output device that often leaves one wondering whether the learner truly comprehends the message being created.

As a result of a language disorder, many individuals will not develop the full English language or need an intermediate step in building a complete language system. SVO Power supports helping the learner build a framework in his or her mind, but a less complicated one than that which is required by many other methods and AAC devices. Through practice, the learner will know they need to select a subject, verb and object to create a clear SVO expression; then, they will have the means necessary to convey a complete message.

The components and syntax of a full language may be overwhelming and inefficient for some. When working with learners who have difficulty acquiring a full language system including parts of speech such as articles, conjunctions, and prepositions, SVO Power may be the perfect alternative. SVO Power does use some prepositions, but only when the preposition is absolutely necessary for the meaning of a verb.

The SVO Power app organizes the learner’s objectives by goal. Within a particular goal there can be a range of subjects, verbs and objects from which to choose. In this Light Edition of the app, a number of goals are provided so the concept may be tried with your learner. The app is offered in a Home Edition for a single learner, a Professional Edition for up to five learners, and an Institutional Edition for schools and other facilities. In each of these, you can build your own goals with your own pictures and select from the provided picture library as needed.

For a complete learning experience, one of the other editions can be purchased through the in-app SVO Power store allowing you upgrade in seconds.