diff --git a/docs/responses.rst b/docs/responses.rst
index b262929..07669cb 100644
--- a/docs/responses.rst
+++ b/docs/responses.rst
@@ -46,6 +46,24 @@ If the user doesn't respond, encourage them by rephrasing the question with ``re
         .reprompt("I didn't get that. When would you like to be seen?")
 
 
+Sending updates with ``progressive_response``
+--------------------------
+``progressive_response`` causes Alexa to speak while your app finishes processing a request::
+
+     @ask.intent('ListAppointmentIntent')
+     def list_appointments():
+         progressive_response("One moment while I add coconut harvesting to your calendar.")
+         return statement('Alright!  Coconut harvesting is scheduled for when the coconut turns brown.')
+      
+``progressive_response`` supports SSML by default::
+
+   @ask.intent('ConfirmAppointmentIntent')
+   def confirm_appointment():
+      progressive_response("<speak>Please wait while I get today's events. <audio src="https://yoursite.com/jeopardy.mp3"/></speak>")
+      return statement('Today at 3pm, you have scheduled feeding deadly cobras!')
+      
+``progressive_response`` may only be used within an intent function.
+
 Session Management
 ------------------
 
diff --git a/flask_ask/__init__.py b/flask_ask/__init__.py
index d878d12..56dea69 100644
--- a/flask_ask/__init__.py
+++ b/flask_ask/__init__.py
@@ -26,5 +26,6 @@
     confirm_intent,
     buy,
     upsell,
-    refund
+    refund,
+    progressive_response
 )
diff --git a/flask_ask/models.py b/flask_ask/models.py
index d159f7b..fbacfa1 100644
--- a/flask_ask/models.py
+++ b/flask_ask/models.py
@@ -440,6 +440,26 @@ def clear_queue(self, stop=False):
 
         self._response['directives'].append(directive)
         return self
+    
+def progressive_response(speech:str):
+    """Causes Alexa to speak before your skill sends its full response."""
+    response = {
+        "header":{
+            "requestId":"amzn1.echo-api.request.xxxxxxx"
+        },
+        "directive":{
+            "type":"VoicePlayer.Speak",
+            "speech":"This text is spoken while your skill processes the full response."
+        }
+    }
+    response['header']['requestId'] = request.requestId
+    response['directive']['speech'] = speech
+
+    authToken = context.System.apiAccessToken
+    alexaAPIendpoint = context.System.apiEndpoint
+    headers = {"Authorization":'Bearer '+authToken, "Content-Type":"application/json"}
+    r = requests.post(alexaAPIendpoint + "/v1/directives", headers=headers, json=response)
+    return r.status_code
 
 
 def _copyattr(src, dest, attr, convert=None):
diff --git a/requirements.txt b/requirements.txt
index 50a7927..e643668 100644
--- a/requirements.txt
+++ b/requirements.txt
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
-aniso8601==1.2.0
-Flask==0.12.1
-cryptography==2.1.4
-pyOpenSSL==17.0.0
-PyYAML==3.12
-six==1.11.0
+aniso8601
+Flask
+cryptography
+pyOpenSSL
+PyYAML
+six