1. Session Code: AAC-10
Let’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, 2011
2:15-3:15

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

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

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

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

6. Towards Communicative Independence
Context-
Emerging Independent
Dependent
Unreliable symbolic Reliable symbolic
communication communication
Novel utterances
Basic needs and Limited Unlimited
wants vocabulary vocabulary
Familiar partners Limited partners Multiple partners

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

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

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

10. Emergent Communicator
• App Features
• Single message or errorless sequential
messages
• Digital photos or pictures with words
• Digitized or synthesized speech
Handouts are available at: www.atia.org/chicagohandouts
10

11. Emergent Communicator
• Apps
• Tap Speak Button Plus
• iTalker
• Tap Speak Sequence
• iComm Free
• Click and Talk
• My Pictures Talk
• Sounding Board
Handouts are available at: www.atia.org/chicagohandouts
11

12. Context Dependent Communicator
• Characteristics:
• Reliable symbolic communication
• Limited vocabulary
• Limited partners
• Need to expand vocabulary, partners and
contexts
Handouts are available at: www.atia.org/chicagohandouts
12

13. Context Dependent Communicator
• App Features:
• Limited communication messages per page
• Digitized or Computerized speech
• Digital or symbol pictures
• Messages are phrases or whole sentences
Handouts are available at: www.atia.org/chicagohandouts
13

14. Context Dependent Communicator
• Apps
• FriendLeaf
• Scene Speak
• Photo Tell
• Expressive
• AAC Speech Buddy
• EasySpeak AAC
• Tap Speak Choice
Handouts are available at: www.atia.org/chicagohandouts
14

15. Independent Communicator
• Characteristics
• Not dependent on familiar partners
• Not dependent on others to provide
vocabulary
• Can possibly spell to communicate
Handouts are available at: www.atia.org/chicagohandouts
15

16. Independent Communicator
• Apps Features:
• Digitized or computerized speech
• Color coding pictures
• Text to speech
• Word prediction
• Core Vocabulary
Handouts are available at: www.atia.org/chicagohandouts
16

17. Independent Communicator
• Apps
• MetaTouch
• Proloquo2go
• Touch Chat
• Touch Chat with Word Power
• Speech Tree
Handouts are available at: www.atia.org/chicagohandouts
17

18. Text to Speech and Word Prediction
• Neo Kate/Paul
• Easy Speak
• Typo
• Verbally
• Assistive Chat
• Predictable
Handouts are available at: www.atia.org/chicagohandouts
18

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

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

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

22. Intervention Considerations
• Vocabulary and message selection
• Aided language stimulation
• Focus on core vocabulary
• Facilitator and partner training
Handouts are available at: www.atia.org/chicagohandouts
22

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

24. Thank you for attending this session
• 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 24