Monthly Archives: July 2021

TouchChat with WordPower: a visual guide to getting started (new TPT product)

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This visual guide walks you through the initial set up and customization process for the TouchChat with WordPower AAC app.

*** There is one topic per page with visuals ***

It is perfect for those who are brand new to the app and want screenshots for every step in the initial set up, tips on choosing a vocabulary file and customization options to help buttons stand out.

Video overview:

Available for purchase on my TPT store: https://bit.ly/3rDRcT1

Want more specific details about this product?

It is a 40 page PDF that covers the following areas:

• Setting the course

• Presume Potential

• Multimodal Communication

• Involving the child to foster ownership

• Begin with the end in mind

• Core & Fringe Vocabulary

• Importance of having access to a keyboard area

• Tips for choosing a Vocabulary File

• The screen that will be seen during set up

• Screenshots and info about four robust vocab file options that are recommended

• How to copy a vocab file

• Providing the “opportunity” to try a robust vocab file

• Adjusting the settings to help the buttons stand out on the screen

• How to change the Symbol Skin Tone

• Choosing a voice

• Areas on the Home Screen

• How to find the “How To” manual within the app and on the TouchChat website

• TouchChat Users Group on Facebook

• Resources and free webinars on the TouchChat website

• Webinars specifically for parents/caregivers

• Resources on the Saltillo website

• TouchChat’s YouTube Channel

• The last page of the PDF has the link to an unlisted YouTube video (11:08) that’s provided to supplement this resource

If you want links to be clickable, please view the PDF in the free Xodo app (https://www.xodo.com), Books/iBooks app or other PDF viewer.

Have questions? 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 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

Teachers Pay Teachers Store: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Omazing-Kids-Aac-Consulting

YouTube: https://youtube.com/user/amoorad1

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/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/omazingkidsaac

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/amoorad

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/OMazingKids/

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/amoorad1

Pretty Carrying Bag for an iPad

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If you are looking for a pretty crossbody bag that can fit an iPad while it is in its protective case in Landscape orientation + has extra pockets to carry things like a phone, keys, etc…, then take a look at this bag from Canvaslove.

That’s my iPad (8th gen) in a Pepkoo case. There’s plenty of room for it in the main padded area with a zipper closure. There is a large slip pocket on the front, a full length zipper pocket on the back and another large slip pocket on the back.

If you have good sewing and MacGyver-ing abilities, it looks like it might be possible to cut an opening to create a spot in the front to have the iPad screen accessible for modeling.

See this screenshot from a comment that I received in a group on Facebook with some suggestions. I’ll add more ideas as I receive them…

YouTube video:

I ordered mine when it was on sale for $12 on Amazon. Looks like the price went up a bit but it’s still a good deal: Canvaslove, https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01KSIBKQ6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_7KETDZ9SP2WCFBS7WKRG?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1.

There are several different prints to choose from 😊

I’d love to hear if anyone tries modifying it to put the iPad in the front to wear for modeling.

I worked with several teenage girls who cared very much about AAC looking cute and feminine. When I had them look online and show me what that meant to them, most gravitated towards patterns from Vera Bradley or Lilly Pulitzer. Which many teens and women love. They wanted to fit in with their peers. Most bags and carrying straps from AAC companies didn’t fit what they wanted. See this post on my blog for another example: https://omazingkidsllc.com/2014/10/06/cute-trendy-aac-think-like-macgyver

I often used a Vera Bradley pattern wallpaper on the iPad Lock Screen: https://verabradley.com/pages/downloads#Fall-2020

Have questions? 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 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

Teachers Pay Teachers Store: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Omazing-Kids-Aac-Consulting

YouTube: https://youtube.com/user/amoorad1

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/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/omazingkidsaac

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/amoorad

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/OMazingKids/

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/amoorad1

Proloquo2Go: a visual guide to getting started (TPT product – fundraiser for Lilly’s Voice & Ability Connection Oklahoma – New Voices)

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The “Proloquo2Go: a visual guide to getting started” is now available for purchase on my TPT Store.

100% of the profits from this TPT product will be donated to Lilly’s Voice & Ability Connection Oklahoma – New Voices.

This visual guide walks you through the initial set up and customization process for the Proloquo2Go AAC app.

There is one topic per page with visuals.

It is perfect for those who are brand new to the app and want screenshots for every step in the initial set up and customization options to help buttons stand out.

Video overview:

See more info in the product description on Teachers Pay Teachers: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Proloquo2Go-a-visual-guide-to-getting-started-PDF-video-7072689

See more info about both charities on this blog post: https://omazingkidsllc.com/2021/07/24/lillys-voice-amazing-aac-video-aac-fundraising/

Have questions? 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 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

Teachers Pay Teachers Store: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Omazing-Kids-Aac-Consulting

YouTube: https://youtube.com/user/amoorad1

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/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/omazingkidsaac/

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/amoorad

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/OMazingKids/

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/amoorad1

Lilly’s Voice – Amazing AAC Video & AAC Fundraising

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Check out this AMAZING video from Lilly’s Voice / A Friend for Lillybug…

On Instagram (if you are logged into Instagram you’ll also be able to read the comments):

Also on YouTube:

I love this community of parents who have connected on Instagram to support each other and advocate for access to robust AAC regardless of age or abilities 💕

Please consider making a donation to help fund an iPad with an AAC app for kids on their waiting list. See details on their website: https://lillysvoice.wixsite.com/lillysvoice

Follow them on social media:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/LillysVoice/ & https://instagram.com/afriendforlillybug

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LillysVoice

7/25/21 - Hot off the presses…. I made and donated a visual guide for getting started on Proloquo2Go for Lilly’s Voice to give to parents to help them get their child’s AAC app set up. Many of them don’t have an SLP to help them. Made my heart happy to be able to create this for them 💕

I’m going to do my part by creating some content on my TPT store that will be a fundraiser. Proceeds from that will be split between Lilly’s Voice and Ability Connection Oklahoma – New Voices (a local grant in my state).

Update 7/26/21: The fundraising TPT product is now available: https://omazingkidsllc.com/2021/07/26/proloquo2go-a-visual-guide-to-getting-started-tpt-product-fundraiser-for-lillys-voice-ability-connection-oklahoma-new-voices/

Ability Connection Oklahoma – New Voices grant

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abilityconnectionoklahoma

Instagram: https://instagram.com/abilityok

Website: https://www.acok.org/what-we-do

Did you know that you can also support charities that provide AAC grants by designating them as your charity of choice while shopping on Amazon’s Amazon Smile program?

Updated 10/10/22: I designated Lilly’s Voice as my charity in AmazonSmile to help support their fabulous work in getting an iPad with an AAC app and case into the hands of kids who need it. If you shop on Amazon it’s an easy way to help a charity that you believe in, it doesn’t cost you anything extra, and it’s super easy now that you can do it directly within the Amazon app. See more info: https://smile.amazon.com/charity/smile/about.

You can look through the charity options to see what may be applicable to your area or support Lilly’s Voice too.

I’m not affiliated with Lilly’s Voice or Ability Connection Oklahoma…. but I’m a huge fan of both and am doing my part to help spread the word to help their fundraising efforts 😊

Have a question? The best way to reach me is via Facebook messaging over on my OMazing Kids page: https://www.facebook.com/OMazingKidsAAC/

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

• Teachers Pay Teachers Store: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Omazing-Kids-Aac-Consulting

• YouTube: https://youtube.com/user/amoorad1

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

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

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

• GoTalk Now AAC & GoVisual Visual Scene Apps – Ideas and Sharing Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/GoTalkNowAACappGroup

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/omazingkidsaac

• Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/amoorad

• Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/OMazingKids/

• Linktree: https://linktr.ee/amoorad1

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelamooradomazingkidsaac

• Blog: https://omazingkidsllc.com

Feature Matching Chart for the Top 11 Robust iOS Symbol-Based AAC Apps

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See this post for the newest update. A 12th app has been added: https://omazingkidsllc.com/2022/01/29/updated-expanded-feature-matching-chart-for-the-top-12-robust-ios-symbol-based-aac-apps/

This major update adds an 11th app (Talk Suite Pro) to the AAC feature matching chart

This chart includes an in-depth comparison of features & support resources across 11 robust iOS symbol-based AAC apps:

• Avaz AAC – Lifetime Edition

• Clicker Communicator: AAC

• CoughDrop

• GoTalk Now / GoTalk Now Plus

• Grid for iPad VPP

• LAMP Words for Life

• Proloquo2Go

• Speak for Yourself

• Talk Suite Pro

• TD Snap (formerly known as Snap Core First)

• TouchChat HD with WordPower

Preview:

This product also now includes free exclusive access to an unlisted YouTube video (58:32) with time-stamped sections highlighting the unique features in each app.

Thanks SO much to Lauren S. Enders for this shout out for my AAC Feature Matching Chart in her presentation on 6/24/21 at AAC in the Cloud! See the whole presentation and get her handouts for “Personalizing AAC – A Deep Dive into Vocabulary Customization”: https://presenters.aacconference.com/videos/UVRRd1FUSXg=?. Be sure to also check out her Waklet with links to resources: https://wke.lt/w/s/7ldtJE.

Thanks Vicki Clarke / Dynamic Therapy Associates Inc (aacchicks)! The shoutout for the AAC feature matching chart in your IG Stories on 7/20/21 made my day 🥰

It’s available for purchase on my Teachers Pay Teachers store: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Feature-Matching-Chart-for-the-Top-11-Robust-iOS-Symbol-Based-AAC-Apps-6867853.

If you already purchased it be sure to go download the update for free.

Recurring monthly subscribers on Ko-fi can access this as part of their subscription: https://ko-fi.com/post/Feature-Matching-Chart-for-the-Top-11-iOS-Symbol-B-R6R85DVLH

This freebie on my OMazing Kids TPT store has been updated to add the Talk Suite Pro app: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/How-to-Get-Access-to-the-Top-11-iOS-Symbol-Based-AAC-Apps-TPT-Freebie-6869004

Have questions? 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 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

Teachers Pay Teachers Store: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/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/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/omazingkidsaac/

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/amoorad

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/OMazingKids/

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/amoorad1

Using Doodling Keyboards as a Whiteboard in AAC Apps (plus a sneak peek at Talk Suite Pro)

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Using Doodling Keyboards as a Whiteboard in AAC Apps (plus a sneak peek at Talk Suite Pro)

I’m working on an update for the Feature Matching Chart for the Top 10 (soon to be the Top 11) iOS Symbol-Based AAC Apps. As I was adding more info to the row about “Button Action to Open a Whiteboard”, I thought about how cool it would be to have a work-around for adding a drawing area to apps that don’t have that feature. Guess what… there is!

AAC apps that allow use of the iOS Keyboard open up the possibility of using a whole array of keyboard extension apps. As I searched the App Store I found three “doodling” keyboard apps that I liked and they worked well within those AAC apps. These doodling keyboard areas could be used as an additional means of communication, just for fun or even as a way for some AAC users to draw their own pictures to then be used as symbols on buttons within their AAC app.

Apps seen in the video:

• Talk Suite Pro, https://apps.apple.com/us/app/talk-suite-pro/id1079239198, iPad only, iPadOS 9.0 or later

• Inkboard, https://apple.co/3wRuKqA, iOS Universal, iOS 12.0 or later (this one was my favorite since it has so many different drawing tools)

• DrawBoard Keyboard for Doodling, https://apple.co/3ilRMQP, iOS Universal, iOS 8.0 or later

• ScribbleKey, https://apple.co/3hJbqao, iOS Universal, iOS 8.0 or later

Want to learn more about which iOS AAC apps allow use of the iOS Keyboard? Or which iOS AAC apps already include a Whiteboard area? Those are just two of the 95 rows of features included in the Feature Matching Chart. It’s available on the OMazing Kids AAC Consulting Teachers Pay Teacher store. The chart is very comprehensive, totally up to date and will be expanded in the next update to include an 11th app: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Feature-Matching-Chart-for-the-Top-10-iOS-Symbol-Based-AAC-Apps-6867853

Angela Moorad, MS, CCC-SLP, OMazing Kids AAC Consulting

Teachers Pay Teachers Store: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Omazing-Kids-Aac-Consulting

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OMazingKidsAAC/

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

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/omazingkidsaac/

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/amoorad

YouTube: https://youtube.com/user/amoorad1

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/OMazingKids/

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/amoorad1

Tech Tutorial: How to Add Symbols and GIF Videos to WordToob, GoTalk Now and TouchChat (includes access to my Google Drive folders with cropped symbols, GIF videos & the GoTalk Now communication book file) – updated 12/1/22

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Update 12/1/22:

I deactivated that resource on TPT. Despite having step by step instructions it was a bit too complicated and I was getting way too many questions about it. It was also a bit of a mess trying to share access to the Google Drive where I had stored the symbols and GIF videos.

I did upload the Core Board with GIFs that I made in GoTalk Now to the Private Sharing area in their Online Gallery. 

If you have either GoTalk Now or GoTalk Now Plus, feel free to message me on my OMazing Kids Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/OMazingKidsAAC/. I’d be glad to share the code and you would be able to download that and the GIF videos are already embedded.

Please only request it if you have GoTalk Now or GoTalk Now Plus. Unfortunately the free GoTalk Now Lite or inexpensive GoTalk Start can’t access the Online Gallery or import a file.

———————————

Archived original post:

Quite a few folks asked how I did this after I posted about it on social media on 7/1/21.

YouTube:

Facebook: OMazing Kids page, also in the AAC for the SLP and AppPeeps groups

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CQztIkHsJfo/?utm_medium=copy_link

So I decided to make this tutorial and offer it on my TPT store: *** deactivated this resource ***

Recurring subscribers on my Ko-fi site have free access to this resource as part of the subscription. See the post at https://ko-fi.com/post/Tech-Tutorial–includes-video-tutorial-files-wit-T6T557PXT

This tutorial package includes:

* A handout (3 page PDF)

* Access to a Tutorial Video (12:34, unlisted on YouTube) that shows the whole process for cropping symbols, finding GIFs, converting the GIFs to videos, how to save them, how to add those to buttons in WordToob, GoTalk Now and TouchChat, the pros and cons of each of those options, etc…

* Access to a secured Google Drive folder with all cropped symbols and GIFs converted to videos used to make the 84 button board in WordToob plus a few extra videos used in GoTalk Now and TouchChat

* Access to a secured Google Drive folder with the GoTalk Now Core Board with GIFs .gtbz file that can be imported into GoTalk Now or GoTalk Now Plus (plus info about how to get my hack for importing a single page book into the GoTalk Now Lite app)

Updated 12/18/21: You can use this website to turn a portion of a YouTube video into a GIF: https://gifs.com. Thanks to Sarah Gregory for this hack:

Have questions? 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 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

Teachers Pay Teachers Store: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/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/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/omazingkidsaac/

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/amoorad

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/OMazingKids/

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/amoorad1