Apps for AAC Adding iPads to your AAC Toolkit Jane Farrall, Janelle Sampson and Kelly Moore
Jun 14, 2015
Apps for AAC Adding iPads to your AAC Toolkit
Jane Farrall, Janelle Sampson and Kelly Moore
“Other” AAC apps � Apps that fill a specific purpose � Apps that offer people a solution for a
communication need � Often used as part of an AAC system
TapSpeak Sequence � Allows the user to build a sequence of
things to say � Great for: ◦ Joke telling ◦ Stories ◦ Scripted situations e.g. Malkara canteen ◦ Sequenced social scripts ◦ School concerts ◦ Giving a talk
� Direct access or switch access
Fat Cat Chat apps � A range of apps focusing on conversation
� Some apps target a facet in AAC that some AAC users feel is a weakness for them e.g. Communication breakdowns
� Every app is designed to develop a conversation
� Check out:
◦ Fat Cat Chat Repair
◦ Fat Cat Outback Chat (for a laugh)
◦ Fat Cat Snappy Chat
◦ Fat Cat Pirate Action
� Direct access
Alexicom Elements Story Maker � Story telling is an important part of
communication � It is estimated that a 5 years spends 11%
of their day story telling. As we get older, the percentage increases.
� Story Maker lets the user tell stories with photographs
� Direct access or switch access
GoTalk Now � Has many other uses but has great
support for quickly constructing pages with photos using recorded speech or synthesised speech
� User can use the app to give directions, easily accompanied by photos if needed
� Pages can be arranged in a traditional grid format or more as a visual scene display
GoTalk Now � Visual scene displays are an alternative
way of organising vocabulary � Have been shown to be successful with
different groups e.g. Young children with cerebral palsy, children with autism spectrum disorder, adults with severe aphasia
� GoTalk Now allows you to create visual scenes using your own photographs and also create chat bars with symbols
� Direct access or switch access
iMovie � For putting together custom movies for: � News � Concert items � Educating carers � Presentations � And many other uses J
Accessibility Settings � Guided Access ++++ � Speak Selection � AssistiveTouch � Home Click Speed � VoiceOver
iPad accessories � Covers � Speakers � Keyboards � Stylii
Alternative Access � Switch accessible apps � Switch access through VoiceOver � Joystick access through VoiceOver � Bluetooth keyboard and VoiceOver
Selecting an app Picking and Choosing the best option
Access trumps communication � Access is always a BIG consideration in
choosing a communication system � Need to consider whether the system is a
primary or secondary system in deciding access
Vocabulary and Language System • A good comprehensive, well balanced vocabulary (for primary communica:on system)
• Can you use it to chat/model – range of vocabulary for varied situa:ons
• Symbol system – having one and which one • ‘Predic:ve selec:on’ in English word order or not? What suits the individual?
• Message display op:ons – does it have a message bar?
• Words rather than full messages • Text to speech op:ons and word predic:on
Ease of Use • Can you add items in the moment – for
user and communication partner • Ease of programming in general • Ease of manipulating settings • Recents or history function (pros and
cons) • Copy and Pasting from other applications
and store text to button • Tech support and communication with app
developer • Ability to lock settings
Other things to consider � Option for creative use – eg. Playing
video, using photos, etc � Varied layout options � Sharing pages you have made with others � Sending to other applications especially
social media for teens and adults � Access to pictures/symbols (camera
versus photo library) � Aussie voice and pronounciation options
(text to speech)