Atia aac 10 let's-talk_a_review_of_aac_apps_and_their_features

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

Forms to REGISTRATION DESK at the end of the conference.• For general CEUs, apply online with The AAC Institute:

www.aacinstitute.org

• Session Evaluation• Please help us improve the quality of our conference by completing your

session evaluation form.• Completed evaluation forms should be submitted as you exit or to staff at

the registration desk.

• 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