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)