apps for aac - adding ipads to your aac toolkit part 3
DESCRIPTION
Preconference workshop for AGOSCI 2013TRANSCRIPT
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)