iPad Cases with Rotating Stand for iPad 7th gen / 8th gen / 9th gen: Pepkoo & Rug-Ed Buddy 10 (plus cases for Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite tablet, Samsung Galaxy A03s phone, and Amazon Fire HD 8 tablet) – updated 11/21/22

Posted on April 30, 2021 by OMazing Kids

I recently bought this Pepkoo case for my new iPad (8th gen) and here’s what I LOVE about it:

* Nice thick foam with a similar “feel” as my GripCase, deep recessed openings and comfortable shape on the back (easy to hold)

* Good quality plastic case edging around the front of the iPad that does NOT have a built in plastic screen protector. If needed, you could add a Zagg (or other high quality) tempered glass screen protector to your iPad before putting it in the case.

* Built-in stand that can rotate 360 degrees so it can accommodate AAC apps in Portrait and Landscape orientation. The stand lays flush when pushed in so the case doesn’t wobble when it’s used flat on the table / desk.

* Comes in four color combos:

– Green Blue (as seen in this video)

– Blue Mint

– Pink Purple

– Gray Black

* Affordable ($19.99 – $20.99 varies based on the color, prices may vary outside the USA and prices tend to vary over time on Amazon)

Update: I just checked again on Amazon and it now shows that this case also fits the iPad 9th gen model

PEPKOO Kids Case for iPad 9th 8th 7th Generation 10.2 inch 2021 2020 2019 – Lightweight Flexible Shockproof, Folding Handle Stand, Full Body Boy Girl Cover for Apple iPad 9th 8th 7th Gen, Green Blue https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B08CKCF5FG/ref=cm_sw_r_em_api_glt_i_S8YEV5D6DJ1C2X92RTVZ?psc=1

Here are some additional pictures…

When held in Landscape orientation, the thickest part of the border (plastic + foam) on each side is about 1.25” (closer to 1.5” at the corners)

When held in Landscape orientation, it’s about .5” border (plastic and foam)

The back of the case. The stand lays flush enough that it doesn’t wobble when the case is laid flat on the back on a table or desk.

The stand is easy to pop out and can be rotated 360 degrees. This is in Landscape orientation at one angle

This is also Landscape orientation at a different angle.

The stand can also lay flat and up to be used as a carrying handle.

It is also available for the iPad Mini 5: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08M9W4KHR/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_7XSQV6G7VT8PMNGPEYCW?psc=1

Shout out to Christine Baudin (one of the admins in the AAC for the SLP Facebook group) for recommending this case 😊.

The only thing missing is a carrying strap but I’ve seen her share a hack about drilling holes in the top edge of thick foam cases to add a strap.

Here’s the link to her YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/user/stineaac1

Updated 7/15/22: If you need a case with a carrying strap see the other case that Pepkoo now offers ⬇️

Update 7/15/22: I just saw a new version of the Pepkoo case that includes a carrying strap: PEPKOO Triple Shockproof Case for iPad 9th/8th/7th Generation 10.2 inch 2021/2020/2019, Air 3rd Generation 10.5 inch, Heavy Duty Cover with Pencil Holder, Handle Kickstand, Shoulder Strap, Navy Blue https://a.co/3ka4bIC (comes in lots of different colors)

Rug-Ed Buddy 10 case

Updated 10/22/22: Looking for a similar style case that can be purchased on a website that accepts Purchase Orders? Rug-Ed offers a Buddy 10 case. I won one in a giveaway and chose the Blue Mint color. It’s a beautiful color combo that those who want a more muted look will appreciate. I have my new iPad 9th gen in this case but it will also fit an iPad 8th gen and iPad 7th gen.

The Buddy 10 case is similar to a Pepkoo case but more muted colors, a little slimmer, has a spot to hold an Apple Pencil and the attached rotating stand doesn’t lay quite as flush as the one on the Pepkoo (so it may wobble a little if laid flat).

Rug-Ed offers 3 different styles of cases with an attached rotating stand:

https://rug-ed.com/collections/ipad-cases/products/prolock-w-swivelring. They sell a very affordable $5.00 carrying strap that can be attached: https://rug-ed.com/collections/accessories/products/strap
https://rug-ed.com/collections/ipad-cases/products/journey
https://rug-ed.com/collections/ipad-cases/products/buddy-coming-soon-in-november-2021 (this is the one that I have pictured. The color is Blue Mint)

Rug-Ed included 2 Premium Tempered Glass Screen Protectors with this case and offers a way to do bulk purchases: https://rug-ed.com/products/buddy-coming-soon-in-november-2021

Also available on Amazon: Rug-Ed Buddy iPad Case + 2 Tempered Glass Screen Protectors, Foam iPad Case for Kids, 360 Rotating Carrying Handle & Stand, Rugged Drop Protection, for Apple iPad 7th, 8th, 9th Generation, Blue Mint https://a.co/h4tdqKi

Updated 11/21/22: Looking for a protective sleeve that will fit the Pepkoo 10.2” and Rug-ed Buddy 10 cases? I finally found one. See my new blog post for details: https://omazingkidsllc.com/2022/11/21/perfect-tablet-sleeve-to-fit-the-rug-ed-buddy-10-or-pepkoo-10-2-ipad-case-7th-8th-9th-gen/

Updated 1/20/23: Looking for a cute crossbody bag that can hold the Pepkoo 10.2”, the Rug-Ed Buddy 10 or the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite in a similar style of case? The Vera Bradley Tablet Hipster is a great option. See my video. After I finished the video I discovered that my Google Pixelbook Go 13.3″ Chromebook will even fit in it.

Amazon Fire HD 8

Update 7/15/22: I bought a Amazon Fire HD 8 tablet during the recent Prime Days Sale and was thrilled to discover that a Pepkoo case was available for it. It doesn’t have the plastic edging around the screen which might make it easier for those needing to attach a keyguard for AAC use. PEPKOO Kids Case for Fire HD 8/HD 8 Plus Tablet, 10th Generation 2020 Release, https://a.co/j8fWelE

Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite 10.4”

Update 7/19/22: I finally found a good case with a rotating stand for my Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite 10.4” Android tablet. It’s very similar to the Pepkoo: https://www.ebay.com/itm/374088538546.

Update 8/9/22: Sadly that case is out of stock. I contacted the seller on eBay and they won’t be getting any more. It’s difficult to find cases with this type of rotating stand for the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite 10.4” Android tablet. I found this one but haven’t seen it in person: https://www.ebay.com/itm/114920453285 & https://www.ebay.com/itm/402978358313

Update 10/21/22: The stand that I ordered appears to be back in stock on eBay: https://www.ebay.com/itm/374088538546

Samsung Galaxy A03s phone

Update 9/21/22: Here is the case that I purchased for my Android Samsung Galaxy A03s phone. I like the small rotating ring stand and sliding cover to protect the camera lenses: https://a.co/d/aWUB0F7

Note: It’s important to consider what features are needed in a case based on that individual’s needs. I am not making recommendations for individual patients and am not liable for purchasing decisions. Just sharing info that may be helpful as you are looking for cases.

The best way to reach me with any questions is via messaging on the OMazing Kids Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/OMazingKidsAAC/. That way AAC related messages don’t get lost among the spam in my e-mail

Angela Moorad, MS, CCC-SLP, Founder of OMazing Kids, LLC, OMazing Kids AAC Consulting

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AAC Feature Matching Chart – updated 4/27/21

Posted on April 27, 2021 by OMazing Kids

*** See this new post for the most current info & a major update: https://omazingkidsllc.com/2021/07/20/feature-matching-chart-for-the-top-11-robust-ios-symbol-based-aac-apps/ ***

The Feature Matching Chart for the Top 10 iOS Symbol-Based Apps was updated today (4/27/21). Recurring monthly subscribers can see a summary of what’s new and get the updated PDF at: https://ko-fi.com/post/Updated-Feature-Matching-Chart-42721-K3K44G5KT

Info about the Feature Matching Chart: https://omazingkidsllc.com/2021/02/18/top-10-ios-symbol-based-aac-app-feature-matching-chart-compiled-by-angela-moorad-ms-ccc-slp-omazing-kids-aac-consulting/

Angela Moorad, MS, CCC-SLP, Founder of OMazing Kids, LLC OMazing Kids AAC Consulting

Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/omazingkidsaac

Personal Professional Facebook Page (linked to OMazing Kids): https://www.facebook.com/angela.moorad (adding“friends” who have a direct role in AAC or Assistive Technology – AAC / AT app or product developers, AAC / AT consultants, SLPs who specialize in AAC, other professionals who specialize in AAC or AT, etc.)

OMazing Kids AAC Consulting Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/OMazingKidsAAC/

AppPeeps Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/OMazingKidsAppPeeps/

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Blog: http://omazingkidsllc.com

Time Saving Tip… copy and paste info from my iOS AAC Feature Matching Chart into reports

Posted on April 20, 2021 by OMazing Kids

Open the PDF in the free Xodo app on your computer, use the fabulous search feature to quickly find the info you need, copy text that you need regarding specific features and then paste that into a report. I’ve received several positive comments this week about how helpful it is to have so much info all in one document.

Of course you may need to add to or tweak the info to fit the requirements needed by a particular funding source or particular options being used in the AAC apps.

But all of the app developers reviewed the content in my chart several times so I’m confident that it’s accurate 😊

Be watching for the next update for the chart later this month.

Download links for the free Xodo app can be found on their website: https://www.xodo.com

Info about the Feature Matching Chart: https://omazingkidsllc.com/2021/02/18/top-10-ios-symbol-based-aac-app-feature-matching-chart-compiled-by-angela-moorad-ms-ccc-slp-omazing-kids-aac-consulting/

Angela Moorad, MS, CCC-SLP, Founder of OMazing Kids, LLC OMazing Kids AAC Consulting

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Blog: http://omazingkidsllc.com

Most Widely Used AAC Symbols (updated 2/2/23)

Posted on April 11, 2021 by OMazing Kids

There was a post in the AAC for SLP Facebook group today where a member asked the following question:

“Hi all! I’m not sure there is even an answer for this question, but I’m going to go for it anyway. 😉 Is there one symbol set that is most widely used? I am only familiar with SymbolStix and PCS. To be specific, I’m not looking for people’s preferences… I am truly just interested on any data/study that demonstrate(s) which is most widely used.😊“

I hadn’t ever seen a list or data/study that had this exact info. To truly know which symbol set is most widely used for high tech AAC you’d need to have data regarding sales of SGDs, sales of AAC apps, sales of symbol sets via in-app purchases and data regarding their actual use. My guess is this is going to vary greatly across the world and influenced by both the language(s) needed by a particular AAC user and the opinions of SLPs / SLTs about certain apps or SGDs.

To truly know which symbol set is most widely used for paper-based AAC you’d need to have data regarding sales and subscriptions and then a way to determine actual use for AAC vs. all the other possible uses for those symbols.

See this separate post for info about Apps & Websites to Create Materials with Symbols: https://omazingkidsllc.com/2020/08/25/apps-websites-to-create-materials-with-symbols-on-an-ipad-iphone-list-compiled-by-angela-moorad-ms-ccc-slp-at-omazing-kids/

But it sparked my curiosity about what symbol sets are either included or available via in-app purchase in iOS AAC apps. So I looked through my vast AAC app collection and came up with the following list of symbol sets.

Based on the data that I collected, SymbolStix appears to be the most widely used (used in the most apps, available in 7 of the top 12 iOS symbol-based AAC apps – denoted by (*) in the lists below & available in traditional SGDs)

PCS symbols are commonly used (available in 6 of the top 12 iOS symbol-based AAC apps – denoted by (*) in the lists below). Especially if you factor in paper-based AAC systems like PODD and their use in traditional SGDs)

Widgit is more commonly used in the UK than the USA (available in 3 of the top 12 iOS symbol-based AAC apps – denoted by (*) in the lists below & traditional SGDs)

Minspeak symbols (and the closely associated symbols used in LAMP Words for Life) are only used in particular SGDs and that app but those are widely used.

Looking for info about Sign Language Symbols, Videos & GIFs in AAC Apps? See this new blog post (2/1/23): https://bit.ly/SignLanguageSymbols-Videos-GIFs-inAAC

More info about the Top 12 iOS Symbol-Based AAC apps: https://bit.ly/SymbolBasedAACapps & https://bit.ly/5aacFeatureMatchingResources

My Data:

SymbolStix:

1. aacorn+ (updated 11/21/22: no longer available)

2. Alexicom

3. Avaz (*)

4. Bridge Communication

5. Clicker Communicator (*)

6. CoughDrop (can add-on) (*)

7. GoTalk Now / GoTalk Now Plus (*)

8. Grid 3 on SmartBox SGDs (also available on other SGDs)

9. Grid for iPad (*)

10. Grid Player

11. Proloquo2Go (*)

12. Proloquo + Proloquo Coach (see this free handout for info about how this new subscription-based options differs from Proloquo2Go: https://bit.ly/3uOlm86)

13. simPODD

14. So Much 2 Say

15. Sono Flex

16. Talk Tablet

17. TouchChat with WordPower (*), also available on Saltillo SGDs

PCS:

1. Chatable (6/8/22: this app is being updated and isn’t currently available for purchase)

2. Clicker Communicator (*)

3. CoughDrop (can add-on) (*)

4. GoTalk Now (as in-app purchase) (*)

5. Grid 3 on SmartBox SGDs (also available on other SGDs)

6. Grid for iPad (*)

7. TD Snap (formerly known as Snap Core First) (also available on Windows devices and Tobii Dynavox SGDs) (*)

8. TouchChat with WordPower (as in-app purchase) (*), also available on Saltillo SGDs

Widgit:

1. Clicker Communicator (*)

2. GoTalk Now / GoTalk Now Plus (as in-app purchase) (*)

3. Grid 3 on SmartBox SGDs (also available on other SGDs)

4. Grid for iPad (*)

Open Source Symbols (most available on this website: https://www.opensymbols.org):

1. Cboard

2. ChatterBoards

3. CommBoards

4. CoughDrop (*)

5. ElineSpeaks

6. Leeloo

7. LetMeTalk

8. MyTalk

9. Niki Talk 2 Pro (*)

10. PhotoVOCA

11. Posco

12. SpeakProse (emojis)

13. Speech Assistant AAC (11/21/22: offers the option to add a Mulberry Symbol, emoji or photo to a phrase button)

14. SymboTalk

CrickPix:

1. Clicker Communicator (*)

GoTalk Image Library:

1. GoTalk Now / GoTalk Now Plus (*)

LessonPix:

1. CoughDrop (*) (can sync with your LessonPix account).

LessonPix is also widely used to make printed AAC options.

MetaCom (used fairly frequently in Germany)

1. GoTalk Now / GoTalk Now Plus (as in-app purchase) (*)

2. MetaTalkUS

3. TD Snap (formerly known as Snap Core First (as in-app purchase) (*)

Minspeak:

1. Unity on Accent SGDs

Multi-Meaning symbols derived from Minspeak & Unity:

1. LAMP Words for Life (*), also on Accent SGDs

Persona:

1. Talk Suite Pro

Pics for PECS:

1. PECS IV+

Pixon (also related to Minspeak/ Unity):

1. TouchChat with WordPower (as in-app purchase) (*), also available on Saltillo SGDs

Smarty Symbols:

1. ASD AAC Bestie Communicator

2. Expressive

3. Speak for Yourself (*)

4. Quick Talk AAC

Smarty Symbols are also widely used to make printed AAC options, in products on Teachers Pay Teachers and in a few non-AAC apps.

There are other AAC apps and SGDs that have their own unique symbols:

1. Alela Pro

2. CardTalk

3. CoreVoice

4. EESpeech

5. Fluent AAC

6. Grace 4

7. Jellow

8. Lingraphica (apps and their SGDs)

9. My First AAC

10. Niki Talk

11. PAROL Mini

12. PictoMaker

13. SoundingBoard

14. Talking Mats

15. Talk to Me

16. Top Taps Speaks

17. Twinkl Symbols for AAC

18. Verbal Me

19. Visuals2Go

20. Voice4u

22. Wayword

23. Weave Chat

This website has a nice catalog of all (or at least most) of the various symbol sets. Most are not widely used. I think it’s interesting to read the history behind how/why symbols were developed: https://talksense.weebly.com/symbol-what.html

It’s important to keep in mind… Symbol sets are like any other feature in AAC. There isn’t any “one size fits all” and to my knowledge there isn’t any research supporting the idea that any particular symbol set is superior to another. This is especially true when considering symbols that meet specific needs, user preferences, culturally relevant, etc…

See this quote from PrAACtical AAC: “There is no empirical evidence that one type of symbol is superior to another for all AAC clients, but there may certainly be differences for a specific individual. That’s why it is a best practice to evaluate the kind of symbol to use as part of an AAC assessment rather than picking one at random or using one based on our own convenience.”

https://praacticalaac.org/praactical/using-multiple-aac-symbol-sets-and-systems-with-aac-learners-considerations-for-thoughtful-interventionists/

Update 11/21/22: See their new post: https://praacticalaac.org/praactical/praactical-questions-what-symbols-are-used-in-aac-apps-sgds/ (includes hyperlinks to info about the symbols)

And this post from NWACS:

https://www.nwacs.info/blog/2019/3/aac-and-symbol-selection

Looking for in-depth info about features AAC apps? Check out these resources:

• iOS Symbol-Based: https://bit.ly/SymbolBasedAACapps

• iOS Text-Based: https://bit.ly/TextBasedAACapps

• Visual Scenes & Video Visual Scenes: https://bit.ly/AACvsd

• AAC Feature Matching Resource Bundle (includes all three, save 10%): https://bit.ly/aacFeatureMatchingBundle. If you are looking to purchase resources for several staff / team members, take a look at the Multiple Licenses discount (saves 20%)

• Robust Android AAC Apps (Google Play & Amazon Fire): https://bit.ly/RobustAndroidAACappChart

• Affordable and Free AAC apps & AAC-Related Apps (iOS, Android, Amazon Fire, Windows & a few web-based options): https://bit.ly/BasicAffordableAACchart

Have a question? The best way to reach me with any questions is via messaging on the OMazing Kids Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/OMazingKidsAAC/. That way AAC related messages don’t get lost among the spam in my e-mail