New Resource: Simple Eye Gaze Communication Flip Book

New Resource: Simple Eye Gaze Communication Flip Book: https://bit.ly/SimpleEyeGazeFlipBook


TPT Preview Video:


This 32-page PDF resource includes:

• a tabbed 9-page Simple Eye Gaze Communication Flip Book with Open Source symbols and four extra customizable pages

• a blank tabbed 9-page eye gaze flip book template that can be totally customized with your own pictures, symbols and text

• written & video instructions for how to easily customize the printable using the free linked websites prior to printing

• written & video instructions for cutting and assembling

Free Bonus Content: a download code for a digital companion file for GoTalk Now or GoTalk Now Plus. Includes links to a YouTube video to show how to find the GoTalk Now Online Gallery and an unlisted YouTube video to demo content in this companion file, settings to adjust to simplify the interface and editing within that AAC app, etc.


The design allows for quick communication and engagement with a Start Here cover page (I want, Tell you what I think, Quick Word & Something’s wrong), tabbed secondary pages, and longer tabbed tertiary pages. An blank set of the longer tabbed pages is provided for customization for each individual’s unique interests.


A totally blank template and tab labels is provided for those who want to translate it and use symbols relevant to that environment or culture.


The resource includes links to three free websites where you can download free Open Source symbols + a free website where you can import the PDF and then add your own text and symbols or photos prior to printing.


The Simple Eye Gaze Communication Book is easy to print, cut out, laminate and assemble. Written and video instructions are included.


I created this to be used as a simple way to get started with exploring eye gaze for communication. It’s sized to be portable and fit easily in a bag or tote for use in everyday environments and on the go. Parents of my students/patients/clients LOVED these and so did AAC users across a wide range of ages.


Free Bonus Content (requires an iPad & either the GoTalk Now or GoTalk Now Plus app by Attainment Company, neither of those are included with this purchase): This digital companion file for GoTalk Now matches the content of the Simple Eye Gaze Communication Flip Book. It is primarily designed for direct touch or scanning but other access methods might be possible depending on the particular model of iPad being used. I uploaded it as a template in the private sharing area on the GoTalk Now Online Gallery. It is exclusive free bonus content for those who purchased this resource. The free GoTalk Now Lite app and the inexpensive GoTalk Start app don’t have a way to import communication books.


Why was the Bonus Content created in GoTalk Now? It offers an Online Gallery with private sharing codes, it was easy to format it to match the content of the eye gaze communication flip book + GoTalk Now/GoTalk Now Plus offers a way to program buttons to link to play music that has been purchased and downloaded into the Apple Music app. See this blog post: https://omazingkidsllc.com/2020/10/20/saving-videos-vs-linking-to-youtube-videos-for-use-in-gotalk-now-plus-how-to-save-youtube-videos/ and offers a way to play videos that are stored on the Camera Roll or linked from YouTube. See this blog post: https://omazingkidsllc.com/2021/10/08/using-the-gotalk-now-app-as-adapted-access-to-play-songs/. Both are great for immediately reinforcing the request for a highly preferred song or video and for use as a means of adapted access to these leisure activities. I explored a few other options on iOS, Android and Amazon Fire but none offered all of what I needed.


Note: This AAC resource is not intended to be a robust communication option. It is something simple to allow early exploration of eye gaze for communication. The bonus content for those with an iPad and GoTalk Now or GoTalk Now Plus provides large target low cell count digital AAC for early exploration of AAC options. Both can also be a helpful supplemental resource as part of a comprehensive AAC system.


Looking for info about robust AAC apps? Check out my five feature matching resources: https://bit.ly/5aacFeatureMatchingResources


Looking for Core Word eye gaze options? I’ve seen a couple on TPT and a free one on the Project Core website.


Looking for info about eye gaze alternative access for non-tech PODD? Take a look at this website: https://cpec-store.myshopify.com/collections/podd-books/products/pragmatic-organisation-dynamic-display-podd-communication-book-alternative-access-templates (unfortunately that still isn’t commercially available in the USA or on letter-sized paper).


Looking for options for robust digital PODD on an iPad or other dedicated speech-generating devices? See my huge blog post: https://omazingkidsllc.com/2018/01/10/i-have-something-to-say-about-podd/. I update that post periodically. It also includes some info about other AAC apps or vocabulary sets within them that are built with pragmatic branching organization. Examples include the Voco Chat gridset available in Grid for iPad (or Grid 3 on Windows devices), the Sequoia board set in CoughDrop, pasco by Ace Centre, etc…


Free handout “Resource Roundup: PODD”: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Resource-Roundup-PODD-7175047


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

All 5 AAC Feature Matching Resources Updated on 9/22/22

All 5 in-depth AAC feature matching resources have been updated on 9/22/22. Those who have previously purchased them on TPT can download the most current version for no additional cost. Ko-fi subscribers can find the download links on today’s post: https://ko-fi.com/post/All-5-AAC-feature-matching-resources–updated-92-J3J2F7G41 or the pinned post: https://ko-fi.com/Post/Links-to-posts-about-most-current-feature-matching-F1F5C9DMD


Info about these resources to compare features in AAC apps can be found on this post: https://bit.ly/5aacFeatureMatchingResources


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

Adding High Quality Acapela Child Voices to Android AAC Apps

I was thrilled to discover a way to add high quality Acapela child voices to several Android AAC apps. Older teens and adults may be fine using the Android system voices but it’s important to have age appropriate voices for children using AAC. This video shows how I added high quality Acapela voices to several Android AAC apps:

The Acapela voices even worked in the Speech Assistant AAC app side loaded on my Amazon Fire tablet:


I installed the Android Acapela app (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.acapelagroup.android.tts), purchased the USA English child voices Ella & Josh and the USA Spanish child voices Valeria & Emilio for $7.99 each, and then downloaded them within that app. There are lots of other voice options for lots of different languages. Then I set Acapela TTS as the preferred engine under the Samsung tablet Settings – General Management – Text to Speech. Also set Language to English. Some apps require it to also be set within the app. Those details will be included in the Android AAC feature matching charts (see links below). The Acapela voices worked in some but not all Android apps.


*** Update 9/22/22: The Android Acapela app has been updated so be sure to update it and then redownload your voices.


Here is a list of the Android AAC apps that it worked in on my Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite tablet at the time of this recording (9/20/22). These also work on my Samsung Galaxy A03s phone.

  • AAC Keyboard with Friends
  • AsTeRICS Grid
  • Avaz AAC (as of the 10/4/22 app update)
  • Cboard (only if using the app while in Guest Mode, not logged in; *** Updated 10/8/22- after the Acapela app update this also now works side loaded on my Amazon Fire Tablet)
  • CoreVoice
  • HelpTalk
  • I Can Communicate
  • LetMeTalk (an Amazon app that is side loaded on my Samsung tablet)
  • Predictable
  • SpeakEasy
  • Speak It
  • Speech Assistant AAC (also worked in the app side loaded on my Amazon Fire tablet. This was the only app that the Acapela voices worked in on my Amazon Fire tablet. *** Updated 10/8/22: after the Acapela app update I was also able to get the voices to work in Avaz AAC & in Cboard (not logged in)
  • SymboTalk
  • Vocable
  • WeaveChat
  • Yes No AAC

Unfortunately this did not work in the Android version of Avaz since Acapela is not included as a Speech Engine option in the Settings in that app. The company has indicated that they are working on adding child voices back to the Android version of the app *** Update: The 10/4/22 update for the Android version of Avaz AAC added access to the Acapela voices. See this blog post for details: https://omazingkidsllc.com/2022/10/08/android-version-of-avaz-aac-now-has-access-to-acapela-voices-this-gives-us-child-voice-options-again/

This did not work when System Voices was set within CoughDrop but that app already includes up to 2 high quality voices with a paid account.


Note: This process of accessing Acapela voices is not applicable to iOS AAC apps. Apple handles voices differently.


Looking for Affordable and Free Android AAC apps? Check out this resource: Basic Feature Chart for Affordable and Free AAC apps & AAC-Related Apps (iOS, Android Google Play, Amazon Fire, Windows + a few Web-Based options): https://bit.ly/BasicAffordableAACchart. More info: https://bit.ly/BasicAffordableAACblogpost

Looking for robust AAC options for Android? Check out this resource: Robust Android AAC (Android Google Play & Amazon Fire): https://bit.ly/RobustAndroidAACappChart. More info: https://bit.ly/RobustAndroidAACblogpost

Several videos comparing AAC apps across platforms (iPad, Android, Amazon Fire, Windows): https://bit.ly/5aacFeatureMatchingResources


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

Affordable Pocket-Sized Android AAC

Looking for a very affordable option for pocket-sized AAC? Many individuals prefer to just add an app to their iPhone or Android phone but some facilities don’t allow phones (or it would be a battle to get an exception) or a phone might not be the best choice for AAC for a younger child. The iPod Touch used to be my “go to” option for this. Since the iPod Touch is no longer available I purchased an Android prepaid TracFone (keeping it unactivated)… Shout out to Karen Erickson for sharing that idea in a comment in the AAC for the SLP group.

Tracfone Samsung Galaxy A03s, 32GB, Black – Prepaid Smartphone (Locked) https://a.co/d/fAxcP4J

LeYi for Galaxy A03S Case with Screen Protector and Camera Protection Slide Cover, Military-Grade Samsung A03S Phone Case with Magnetic Ring Metal Kickstand for Men Boys (6.5 Inch), Green https://a.co/d/bLpM2Oe

$59.88 Android phone + $12.99 case + the cost of an app = very affordable pocket-sized AAC 🎉

See this video for a look at some of the AAC apps I have installed on it:

A short video specifically about Speech Assistant AAC on an Android phone:

And a longer in-depth video about Speech Assistant AAC on an Android phone that shows more about the app and all of the Settings:

Sound comparison test:

See more details on my updated blog post: https://omazingkidsllc.com/2021/03/22/pocket-sized-aac/


Looking for Affordable and Free AAC apps? Check out this resource: Basic Feature Chart for Affordable and Free AAC apps & AAC-Related Apps (iOS, Android Google Play, Amazon Fire, Windows + a few Web-Based options): https://bit.ly/BasicAffordableAACchart. More info: https://bit.ly/BasicAffordableAACblogpost

Looking for Robust AAC options for Android? Check out this resource: Robust Android AAC (Android Google Play & Amazon Fire): https://bit.ly/RobustAndroidAACappChart. More info: https://bit.ly/RobustAndroidAACblogpost

Several videos comparing AAC apps across platforms (iPad, Android, Amazon Fire, Windows): https://bit.ly/5aacFeatureMatchingResources


Info about much more expensive but fundable pocket-sized AAC devices can be found on this post: https://omazingkidsllc.com/2021/03/22/pocket-sized-aac/


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

Preparing for iOS 16 & iPadOS 16: How to Turn Off Automatic Download & Installation of iPadOS / iOS Updates (also issues with iOS 15.7 & iPadOS 15.7)

It is anticipated that Apple will be releasing iOS 16 around 12:00pm CDT today (9/12/22): https://www.macrumors.com/guide/ios-16-release-date/

They have delayed the release for iPadOS 16 to October 2022 (I’ll update this post when a specific date is announced): https://www.macrumors.com/2022/08/23/apple-seeds-ipados-16-1-beta-1/.

Updated 1/26/23: Problems with iOS 16.3: Apple users – The latest iPadiOS update (16.3) seems to be causing issues with iCloud Backup and iCloud Drive – turning them off and showing an error message when you try turn them back on. It is requiring Two Factor Authentication to be turned on to use these features now. Please don’t install this update for the time being, until further information is known.

Updated 12/21/22: Issues with YouTube on iOS 16.x: https://piunikaweb.com/2022/12/01/youtube-app-not-loading-or-crashing-on-ios-16-devices

Updated 10/11/22: Based on this tweet it looks like iPadOS 16 might release the week of 10/24/22. Several replies to that tweet mentioned it being buggy/glitchy in beta testing:


Historically the whole number iOS updates tend to cause problems. Several years ago I had an iPad “brick” and it had to be restored to factory settings. Almost every whole number iOS release has caused issues with AAC apps and therapy apps. And general device issues unrelated to any specific app.

Most developers of robust AAC apps have done everything that they can do to prepare for the newest iOS. But it is wise to wait for awhile for kinks to be worked out and for app developers to have time to release updates to fix any problems. And Apple often releases secondary iOS updates to fix issues. I typically wait several months and watch for posts from app developers indicating that it’s safe to install the new iOS.

Unfortunately the “default” setting on an iPad is usually for the iOS updates to be automatically downloaded and automatically installed. In order to prevent that from happening, please check the settings on any iPad or iPhone being used for AAC or as a therapy tool. Even if you have toggled it off in the past please take the time to check it again. I found that a recent iOS update had toggled it back on.

Go to Settings (grey gear) – General – Software Update – Automatic Updates – toggle off Download iPadOS (iOS) Updates

Update: I’m already seeing posts related to iOS 16 issues & some related to the iPadOS 15.7 update. I’ll keep updating this post to provide examples of what folks are experiencing

The current list of iOS 16 problems includes abnormal battery drain, Wi-Fi issues, UI lag, crashes, Touch ID issues, and installation issues. See this website for more info: https://www.gottabemobile.com/ios-16-problems-fixes/amp/ & https://www.gottabemobile.com/ios-16-problems/amp/

I also saw this about iOS 16 interfering with being able to update apps: https://www.macrumors.com/2022/09/12/iphone-users-unable-to-update-apps-app-store-error/


9/16/22 This info was posted in a comment in the Tobii Dynavox Community group on Facebook by one of the moderators of that group: “We are recommending to wait a little bit after release just to be safe. Once the final build of iOS16 comes out, we will be testing the final build with TD Pilot, TD Snap, and TD Talk and will then be able to make a definitive recommendation. Also, in the current beta, there is an issue with AssistiveTouch, however Apple says it will be resolved before release.”



And some folks are having problems with the iOS 15.7 & iPadOS 15.7 update:

9/23/22:


FYI… I shared this post with several AAC app developers and in several AAC user groups on Facebook to hopefully prevent AAC users from encountering issues.

What’s interesting is one AAC app developer chose to remove my post from their group with the “feedback” that “new versions of iOS do not get installed automatically”. While in theory that should be true I’ve personally had an iPad revert to auto download and auto install of iOS updates and had to manually toggle it off again. Plus my post is intended to help folks make an informed decision as to whether or not it would be wise to upgrade to iOS 16 / iPadOS when it first comes out. It can’t hurt to be cautious and wait to upgrade to the new iOS.


I appreciate those who shared it. Special shout-out to my AAC friend Lauren Enders Gonzalez, MA, CCC-SLP for helping to spread the word: https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid02xRcWs2Cx16ASN1r8cZ5SbS943qpPC5xadRxdbPCq5Lj5ovcZhig2YowNPzZGzgBzl&id=178231088981549


While you’re on that device now would also be a good time to backup all customized programming: https://omazingkidsllc.com/2021/03/21/backup-aac-customized-programming/


If you’re in a very large school district that has hundreds of students using iPads for AAC, then I’d check with your IT department to see what the options are for temporarily toggling off the automatic download and installation of iOS updates. If that’s not feasible in your district, then take this as a “heads up” that you may need to have paper-based AAC options on hand just in case they are needed.


What to do if you have an iPad on an older iOS: Unfortunately on older versions of iOS there’s not a way to prevent the iOS update from downloading. But it should ask for permission before installing it. A sign that an iOS update has downloaded is a sudden large drop in available memory. To find that file to delete it on an older iOS, go into Settings – General – Storage & iCloud Usage – Storage – Manage Storage. Wait for the app list to populate and then delete the one with the grey gear. For example, I have an iPad Pro 9.7” that I purposefully kept on iOS 10.3.3 in order to avoid losing a bunch of apps when iOS 11 rolled out. By deleting that iOS update file I freed up 3.7GB of memory and helping to prevent an accidental update. I periodically get a notification asking me to update the iOS. I am very cautious to tap “Details” and then close out of it. Also go to Settings – iTunes & App Store – and toggle off Updates under Automatic Downloads.


Why am I concerned? There are historical issues every time that Apple rolls out a whole number iOS update. Some caused major problems. iOS 15 had several issues. The fact that Apple has delayed release of iPadOS to work out bugs is a red flag 🚩. Of course I have no way to know what will happen with iOS 16 but am seeing enough red flags to be concerned and to post about it.


It’s heartbreaking when AAC users lose their voice when a new iOS rolls out and causes glitches. Now is the time to prevent that from happening.


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