Session Code: AAC-10Let’s Talk:

A Review of AAC APPS and their Features

Sandy Chiampas schiampas@ladse.org

Deb Malnar dmalnar@ladse.org

Kerrin Tom ktom@ladse.org

November 3, 20112:15-3:15

Objectives:

• Participants will be able to identify 4 features of AAC apps

• Participants will explain how the features of AAC apps relate to the communication needs of their students/clients

2Handouts are available at: www.atia.org/chicagohandouts

The emergence of mobile touch screen devices is changing the landscape for individuals with augmentative communication needs

•Pros:•Broad spectrum of options and functions•Smaller, multi-functional•Cost effective•Cool factor

3Handouts are available at: www.atia.org/chicagohandouts

The emergence of mobile touch screen devices is changing the landscape for individuals with augmentative communication needs

•Cons:•Putting Tool before Process•AAC Service Provider (SLP, PT, OT) may not

be involved in: decision making, training, technical support, follow up

4Handouts are available at: www.atia.org/chicagohandouts

5Handouts are available at: www.atia.org/chicagohandouts

Towards Communicative Independence

Emerging Context-Dependent Independent

Unreliable symbolic

communication

Reliable symbolic communication

Novel utterances

Basic needs and wants

Limited vocabulary

Unlimitedvocabulary

Familiar partners

Limited partners

Multiple partners

7Handouts are available at: www.atia.org/chicagohandouts

App Assessment

• Symbol size and type

• Message type

• Scrolling

• Linking boards

• Voice

• Word prediction

• Saved phrases/sentences

• Programming within app, on computer and/or online

• Subscription requirements (will boards be saved when subscription lapses)

8Handouts are available at: www.atia.org/chicagohandouts

Emergent Communicator

•Characteristics:•No symbolic method of communication that

is easily understood by others•Communication is mostly basic needs•First method of symbolic communication

may be at a concrete level

9Handouts are available at: www.atia.org/chicagohandouts

Emergent Communicator

•App Features•Single message or errorless sequential

messages•Digital photos or pictures with words•Digitized or synthesized speech

10Handouts are available at: www.atia.org/chicagohandouts

Emergent Communicator

•Apps•Tap Speak Button Plus •iTalker•Tap Speak Sequence •iComm Free•Click and Talk •My Pictures Talk •Sounding Board

11Handouts are available at: www.atia.org/chicagohandouts

Context Dependent Communicator

•Characteristics:•Reliable symbolic communication•Limited vocabulary•Limited partners•Need to expand vocabulary, partners and

contexts

12Handouts are available at: www.atia.org/chicagohandouts

Context Dependent Communicator

•App Features:•Limited communication messages per page•Digitized or Computerized speech•Digital or symbol pictures• Messages are phrases or whole sentences

13Handouts are available at: www.atia.org/chicagohandouts

Context Dependent Communicator

•Apps•FriendLeaf •Scene Speak• Photo Tell•Expressive•AAC Speech Buddy•EasySpeak AAC•Tap Speak Choice

14Handouts are available at: www.atia.org/chicagohandouts

Independent Communicator

• Characteristics•Not dependent on familiar partners•Not dependent on others to provide

vocabulary•Can possibly spell to communicate

15Handouts are available at: www.atia.org/chicagohandouts

Independent Communicator

•Apps Features:•Digitized or computerized speech•Color coding pictures•Text to speech•Word prediction•Core Vocabulary

16Handouts are available at: www.atia.org/chicagohandouts

Independent Communicator

•Apps•MetaTouch•Proloquo2go•Touch Chat•Touch Chat with Word Power•Speech Tree

17Handouts are available at: www.atia.org/chicagohandouts

Text to Speech and Word Prediction

• Neo Kate/Paul

• Easy Speak

• Typo

• Verbally

• Assistive Chat

• Predictable

18Handouts are available at: www.atia.org/chicagohandouts

Bridging the Gap Between PECS and Voice Output

• My Choice Board

• iPacs

• Pictures Can Talk

• Grace

• Discover My Voice for iOS

• Spubble Lite

• Pics Aloud

• Augie

19Handouts are available at: www.atia.org/chicagohandouts

Hardware for….

• Visual Scanning or Auditory Scanning• RJ Cooper Bluetooth Superswitch• Ablenet Blue2 Bluetooth Switch• RJCooper Bluetooth Cordless Switch Interface

• Step Scanning• RJ Cooper Bluetooth Cordless Switch Interface• Ablenet Blue2 Bluetooth Switch

20Handouts are available at: www.atia.org/chicagohandouts

Features of Auditory Scanning to Consider

• Row/Column Scanning

• Different voices for auditory cue vs voice output

• Switch Interface vs device as a switch

• How many messages per page

21Handouts are available at: www.atia.org/chicagohandouts

Intervention Considerations

• Vocabulary and message selection

• Aided language stimulation

• Focus on core vocabulary

• Facilitator and partner training

22Handouts are available at: www.atia.org/chicagohandouts

Excellent Resources to Consider

• www.rjcooper.com

• ladseitech.pbworks.com (AAC apps matrix)

• www.spectronicsinoz.com/article/iphoneipad-apps-for-aac

• www.ablenetinc.com

• www.appsforaac.net

23Handouts are available at: www.atia.org/chicagohandouts

Thank you for attending this session

24

• CEUs – Session Code: AAC-10• More Info at: www.atia.org/CEU• For ACVREP, AOTA and ASHA CEUs, hand in completed Attendance

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• Handouts• Handouts are available at: www.atia.org/chicagohandouts• Handout link remains live for 3 months after the conference ends.

Handouts are available at: www.atia.org/chicagohandouts