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About OMazing Kids

Angela Moorad, MS, CCC-SLP. Over 36 years experience in AAC. Experience using almost every AAC app on iOS, Android, Amazon Fire, Chromebook and Windows devices + traditional Speech Generating Devices (SGDs). Creator of AAC-Related Resources & App-Related Resources. AAC Consulting & App Consulting.

{Free App Alert} First Blubs – unlock all 22 animals FREE this week **** App Warning ****

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Important Notice: Sadly I cannot recommend this app anymore. The app developer has chosen to price it at $99.99 to force folks over to their newer Speech Blubs app. They have chosen to go with a subscription-based model, are luring folks in with the promise of a free short trial and then charging a $9.99 per month subscription fee. They are also misusing the names of several SLP blogs including my own to promote that new app. On their website they include quotes from reviews for the original app and number of users from that app and are trying to pass them off as being related to this new app. You can see my full blog post with concerns at:

https://omazingkidsllc.com/2017/07/03/app-warning-do-not-install-the-update-for-first-blubs-concerns-i-have-regarding-the-pricing-on-the-new-speech-blubs-app/

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It took a social media blitz to get them to remove the OMazing Kids name from the description for Speech Blubs on the App Store but I just saw they are still using my name on their website and linking back to this post. I have written this update to this post to hopefully force them to quit using the OMazing Kids name on their website, any social media or any app stores (Apple, Google Play, Amazon or any others that might appear in the future). They have seriously messed with the wrong speechie…. I am very active and vocal on social media, am in almost every SLP Facebook group that they might try to lure SLPs in and am definitely not afraid to call them out every single time I see them post.

Also see this post on my Facebook page and the comments section on that post:

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{Free App Alert} Cool! Check out the new First Blubs app to encourage kids to imitate the sounds & mouth movements of 22 different animals. Includes peer video modeling, a mirror for video self modeling, virtual animal props, stickers to encourage participation, virtual candy with hidden video surprises or animal facts, and more! This app would be fun to incorporate with play with animal toys or puppets and the Dr. Seuss book or book app “Mr. Brown Can Moo! Can You?”.

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Get the FREE app (includes the donkey, fish & duck) and then tap on any of the locked animals to unlock the in-app purchase for all of the animals FREE (see the 4 steps in the screenshot). Grab the IAP quickly since it will only be free this week.

{Tips: Be sure to adjust your settings to allow IAPs on your device before attempting to unlock the IAP in this app. Also make sure you have a strong WiFi connection and be patient as it takes a bit for all the animals to download after you unlock them}

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First Blubs – Speech Delay Therapy with Animal Sounds by Blub Blub
https://appsto.re/us/_eOPdb.i, iOS Universal (works on iPad, iPhone or iTouch running iOS 8.0 or later)

Found out about the IAP being free via this post on the app developer’s page and then verified by unlocking the IAP on my iPad:

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App video trailer:

Check out their website for more info, tips and how to get free coloring pages to go with the app.

http://blubblub.org/2016/08/04/tips-and-tricks-on-using-first-blubs-effectively/
http://blubblub.org/first-blubs/

Their website also has a place to subscribe for a notification when the Android version of the app is released.
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Wishes for a future app update: My wish for a future app update would be for them to add these tips and free coloring pages with the option to print them each individually as a PDF in the settings area on the app rather than having to go to a website or to e-mail to request the coloring sheets. It would also be nice to add the name of the animal on the sticker screen and the practice screen to promote early literacy skills and to aide in the adult knowing what the animal is. Most are obvious but I wasn’t able to guess that the duck was a duck by the illustration. I also wasn’t sure what the two different birds were.
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Excited to see on their website that they have more apps in the works in this series 🙂
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#SLPeeps #Apraxia #ChildhoodApraxiaOfSpeech
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Angela Moorad, MS, CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
Founder of OMazing Kids, LLC – inclusive wellness & educational activities for kids of all abilities
Home E-Mail: amoorad1@juno.com
Facebook Messaging for OMazing Kids: https://www.facebook.com/messages/17426452595789
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/OMazingKidsYoga
AppPeeps Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/OMazingKidsAppPeeps/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/amoorad
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/amoorad1
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/OMazingKids/
Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/110305433538768736741
Boardmaker Share: http://www.boardmakershare.com/Community/FriendsProfile/10916/Angela-Moorad
Blog: http://omazingkidsllc.com
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Angela Moorad is the founder of OMazing Kids, LLC and is an ASHA certified & licensed pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist and Kids Yoga Teacher with over 26 years experience working in a variety of settings (early intervention, schools, teletherapy & a nonprofit pediatric rehab hospital for children with developmental disabilities). She is an app beta tester for educational & therapeutic app developers and loves sharing info about great apps, products, books & toys to use with kids of all abilities.
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{please ignore any ads that may appear below. This is a free blog and I don’t have any control over ads nor do I profit from them}

{App Review + Giveaway} Fuzzy House iPad app

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{App Review + Giveaway} Join the Fuzzies Chip the beaver, Hopsy the rabbit, Siena the alpaca, and Wooly the lamb in their Fuzzy House. This gorgeous new app has six interactive areas to explore (entryway, living room, kitchen, upstairs hallway, bedroom, and bathroom). Each area has interactive objects and other hidden features. Love using open exploration apps like this in OMazing Kids speech therapy! So many great opportunities for vocabulary, verbs, adjectives, pronouns, spatial concepts, storytelling, sequencing, turn taking and more. My favorite room in this app is the living room where the animals can dance to music, play an instrument, jump on the couch, build a fire in the fireplace and more.

I have 3 iOS codes to giveaway for the iPad version of this amazing new app. See details below for how to enter to win a code.

App video trailer:

Full version: Fuzzy House by Fuzzy House Aps
https://appsto.re/us/jPZBbb.i, $2.99, iPad only

Free lite version: Fuzzy House Lite by Fuzzy House Aps
https://appsto.re/us/Y0dFbb.i, iPad only

They also offer an Android version on the Google Play store. See their website for details: http://www.fuzzyhouse.com/play/

OMgoodness! I wish I knew how to knit. Check out the patterns to knit your own characters from the app: http://www.fuzzyhouse.com/knit/. Also check out all the cute items to make for the Fuzzies: http://www.fuzzyhouse.com/create/

Please check out and “like” their Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/fuzzyhouse

Want a chance to win this fun app? Head over and follow the entry instructions on this post the OMazing Kids Facebook page:

Entry Deadline: Tomorrow, 8/21/16 at 6:00pm CST. Depending on the number of entries received, it may take a day or so to verify them and to announce the winners/distribute the codes to the winners.
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Angela Moorad, MS, CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
Founder of OMazing Kids, LLC – inclusive wellness & educational activities for kids of all abilities
Home E-Mail: amoorad1@juno.com
Facebook Messaging for OMazing Kids: https://www.facebook.com/messages/17426452595789
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/OMazingKidsYoga
AppPeeps Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/OMazingKidsAppPeeps/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/amoorad
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/amoorad1
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/OMazingKids/
Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/110305433538768736741
Boardmaker Share: http://www.boardmakershare.com/Community/FriendsProfile/10916/Angela-Moorad
Blog: http://omazingkidsllc.com
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Angela Moorad is the founder of OMazing Kids, LLC and is an ASHA certified & licensed pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist and Kids Yoga Teacher with over 26 years experience working in a variety of settings (early intervention, schools, teletherapy & a nonprofit pediatric rehab hospital for children with developmental disabilities). She is an app beta tester for educational & therapeutic app developers and loves sharing info about great apps, products, books & toys to use with kids of all abilities.
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{please ignore any ads that may appear below. This is a free blog and I don’t have any control over ads nor do I profit from them}

{Book Review} My Spots by Marina V.

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{Book Review} My Spots by Marina V.

“My Spots” is a sweet children’s book about finding our own unique “spots” and being okay with any birthmarks that nature gave us. The author gently guides children through a journey of acceptance and self-love by illustrating beautiful spots and markings found on animals in nature. This is a wonderful new addition to my OMazing Kids collection of children’s picture books on self-esteem! I like that it includes a page for the child to draw their own special birthmark spots & a page for them to answer the question “If you were an animal, what type of spots would you have?” and then draw it.

Paperback version: https://www.amazon.com/My-Spots-Marina-V/dp/1523685913

I just saw a Facebook post from the author that the Kindle version of this sweet book is FREE today!

Head over to get it at: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01CDL8050/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1#nav-subnav. {Tip: Be sure to double check the “Kindle Price” before downloading}

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Here are a few screenshots from the Kindle version:

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Author’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorMarinaV
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Angela Moorad, MS, CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
Founder of OMazing Kids, LLC – inclusive wellness & educational activities for kids of all abilities
Home E-Mail: amoorad1@juno.com
Facebook Messaging for OMazing Kids: https://www.facebook.com/messages/17426452595789
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/OMazingKidsYoga
AppPeeps Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/OMazingKidsAppPeeps/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/amoorad
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/amoorad1
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/OMazingKids/
Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/110305433538768736741
Boardmaker Share: http://www.boardmakershare.com/Community/FriendsProfile/10916/Angela-Moorad
Blog: http://omazingkidsllc.com
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Angela Moorad is the founder of OMazing Kids, LLC and is an ASHA certified & licensed pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist and Kids Yoga Teacher with over 26 years experience working in a variety of settings (early intervention, schools, teletherapy & a nonprofit pediatric rehab hospital for children with developmental disabilities). She is an app beta tester for educational & therapeutic app developers and loves sharing info about great apps, products, books & toys to use with kids of all abilities.
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{please ignore any ads that may appear below. This is a free blog and I don’t have any control over ads nor do I profit from them}

How to get the FREE iOS app codes hidden in the Starbucks app

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{Free App Code Tips} So maybe everybody else already knew this but I just found out that there are FREE app promo codes hidden in the messages in the Inbox area in the Starbucks app. Cool! I saw a post over in the On Sarah’s iPad Facebook group about this Sago Mini app being free. Awesomesauce! That is one of the few Sago Mini apps that I didn’t have yet and has been on my “wish list”. So I downloaded the Starbucks app on my iPhone and logged in but there were not any messages. A little bummed but then I checked the messages area on the app that had already been installed on my husband’s phone and BINGO! The message was there, I was able to redeem a code and then install it to my iPad from the cloud since he & I share an iTunes account. I then went back through all the old messages in that app on his phone and scored several other apps whose codes had not expired yet. I’m now leaving the Starbucks app installed on my iPhone so I can get new messages about the free apps from this point forward. Guess my hubbie’s love of Starbucks coffee finally paid off… lol 😉

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P.S.  Unless you already love Starbucks and go there frequently, then it wouldn’t be worth your time to try to get free apps via their app. But if you go to Starbucks frequently then be sure to check your messages within the app to see what app freebies may be awaiting you.

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Starbucks by Starbucks Coffee Company
https://appsto.re/us/Y7vVt.i

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FYI… the Apple Store app also frequently has free apps in it. Open the app & scroll down to find them.

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Angela Moorad, MS, CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
Founder of OMazing Kids, LLC – inclusive wellness & educational activities for kids of all abilities
Home E-Mail: amoorad1@juno.com
Facebook Messaging for OMazing Kids: https://www.facebook.com/messages/17426452595789
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/OMazingKidsYoga
AppPeeps Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/OMazingKidsAppPeeps/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/amoorad
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/amoorad1
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/OMazingKids/
Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/110305433538768736741
Boardmaker Share: http://www.boardmakershare.com/Community/FriendsProfile/10916/Angela-Moorad
Blog: http://omazingkidsllc.com
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Angela Moorad is the founder of OMazing Kids, LLC and is an ASHA certified & licensed pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist and Kids Yoga Teacher with over 26 years experience working in a variety of settings (early intervention, schools, teletherapy & a nonprofit pediatric rehab hospital for children with developmental disabilities). She is an app beta tester for educational & therapeutic app developers and loves sharing info about great apps, products, books & toys to use with kids of all abilities.
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{please ignore any ads that may appear below. This is a free blog and I don’t have any control over ads nor do I profit from them}

{$.99 App Deal} What Did Snakey Eat? (great for yes/no, inferencing, forming questions, categories, etc…)

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{$.99 App Deal} This app is hilarious! Found it last night when I was looking for more ways to target Yes/No questions. Also great for targeting goals on forming questions, inferencing & categories, etc…. Definitely worth $.99 :). Be sure to get the free printable cards to go with the app. Also check out the links that I posted in the comments section on the Facebook post to other apps I love that target Yes/No and some great websites.

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Angela Moorad, MS, CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
Founder of OMazing Kids, LLC – inclusive wellness & educational activities for kids of all abilities
Home E-Mail: amoorad1@juno.com
Facebook Messaging for OMazing Kids: https://www.facebook.com/messages/17426452595789
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/OMazingKidsYoga
AppPeeps Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/OMazingKidsAppPeeps/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/amoorad
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/amoorad1
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/OMazingKids/
Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/110305433538768736741
Boardmaker Share: http://www.boardmakershare.com/Community/FriendsProfile/10916/Angela-Moorad
Blog: http://omazingkidsllc.com
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Angela Moorad is the founder of OMazing Kids, LLC and is an ASHA certified & licensed pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist and Kids Yoga Teacher with over 26 years experience working in a variety of settings (early intervention, schools, teletherapy & a nonprofit pediatric rehab hospital for children with developmental disabilities). She is an app beta tester for educational & therapeutic app developers and loves sharing info about great apps, products, books & toys to use with kids of all abilities.
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{please ignore any ads that may appear below. This is a free blog and I don’t have any control over ads nor do I profit from them}

{App Update Tips} Why automatic updates are a bad idea & how to manually update apps

Why automatic app updates are a bad idea and how to manually update iOS apps

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{App Update Tips} There are several reasons why I have “automatic downloads” toggled OFF on all my iPads:

  • Some app updates cause you to lose access to an app. See the “First Nouns” app in this screenshot as an example. The developer has switched to a subscription based model.
  • If an app is working properly with the version of iOS that I’m running on that device, there is no need to update. Doing so may cause problems. The saying “if it’s not broken, don’t fix it” applies. As a side note, I always hold off on updating to the latest iOS operating system to allow time for bugs to be worked out and to allow time for app developers to release updates to make their apps compatible with that iOS and work out bugs there too. I use my iPads everyday in speech therapy and especially depend on AAC apps and therapy apps so I can’t afford to take any risks. I look for comments on an app developer’s page and in a variety of FB groups for signs that it’s safe to update the iOS and/or the app.
  • Some updates add content that I’m not interested in. An example of this is when many apps add seasonal content for Halloween.

But there are times that I do need to update an app. I often will look to see if an app has been updated if it is acting glitchy or after I have updated to a more current iOS and apps are acting glitchy with that.

Important reminder: It is always wise to back up any programming that you’ve done on an AAC app BEFORE you install an update. It’s also wise to get any info you need from the data collection area of a therapy app before you install an update.

In order to update apps manually, you go to the App Store, tap “Updates” at the bottom of the screen (or search for the app by name) and read the info closely about the update to decide if you want to install it. NEVER click “update all”. Instead click “update” just on the specific app you have decided to update. Some updates are large and will require a strong WiFi connection and may require you to free up space on your iPad before you install them.
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Angela Moorad, MS, CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
Founder of OMazing Kids, LLC – inclusive wellness & educational activities for kids of all abilities
Home E-Mail: amoorad1@juno.com
Facebook Messaging for OMazing Kids: https://www.facebook.com/messages/17426452595789
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/OMazingKidsYoga
AppPeeps Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/OMazingKidsAppPeeps/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/amoorad
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/amoorad1
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/OMazingKids/
Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/110305433538768736741
Boardmaker Share: http://www.boardmakershare.com/Community/FriendsProfile/10916/Angela-Moorad
Blog: http://omazingkidsllc.com
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Angela Moorad is the founder of OMazing Kids, LLC and is an ASHA certified & licensed pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist and Kids Yoga Teacher with over 26 years experience working in a variety of settings (early intervention, schools, teletherapy & a nonprofit pediatric rehab hospital for children with developmental disabilities). She is an app beta tester for educational & therapeutic app developers and loves sharing info about great apps, products, books & toys to use with kids of all abilities.
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{please ignore any ads that may appear below. This is a free blog and I don’t have any control over ads nor do I profit from them}

Keeping an open mind

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Seriously. If you want to get SLPs in a tizzy just post a question or comment about anything related to oral motor strategies or the Rapid Prompting Method (RPM) in certain Facebook groups. Then step back and watch the panties get in a wad. All kinds of spewing about lack of evidence and some very hateful comments. <<side note: does anyone ask about the use of the Pokemon Go app as an evidenced based practice? Nope. Even ASHA jumped on that crazy bandwagon>>. The problem is they are so close minded that they don’t want to stop to consider that ASHA says “evidence” can also include clinical expertise and patient/caregiver perspectives (http://www.asha.org/Research/EBP/).

While I don’t personally don’t use a lot of oral motor strategies, I have worked closely with SLPs who use that extensively as part of their therapy “toolkit” with fabulous results. As grandma used to say “the proof is in the pudding”.

After watching numerous videos, reading several books and chatting with Elizabeth Vosseller, MA, CCC-SLP, a SLP who specializes in RPM at the Growing Kids Therapy Center (see this post: https://growingkidstherapy.wordpress.com/2014/04/14/my-paradigm-shift-from-traditional-speech-therapy-to-rpm/. She blogs and posts frequently about her RPM successes with patients on her FB page: https://www.facebook.com/GrowingKidsTherapyCenter), my mind is open to the possibility that RPM is in fact a valid approach to try with certain patients. Patients for whom other more traditional AAC approaches have not worked. But I guess those with their panties in a wad would rather these individuals not have a “voice” if it requires atypical types of supports.

Just needed to vent. Hey it’s my page and I can share my thoughts freely here. Be forewarned…. if anyone leaves hateful or disparaging comments on any of my social media sites they will be deleted.
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Angela Moorad, MS, CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
Founder of OMazing Kids, LLC – inclusive wellness & educational activities for kids of all abilities

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/OMazingKidsYoga
AppPeeps Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/OMazingKidsAppPeeps/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/amoorad
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/amoorad1
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/OMazingKids/
Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/110305433538768736741
Boardmaker Share: http://www.boardmakershare.com/Community/FriendsProfile/10916/Angela-Moorad
Blog: http://omazingkidsllc.com
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Angela Moorad is the founder of OMazing Kids, LLC and is an ASHA certified & licensed pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist and Kids Yoga Teacher with over 26 years experience working in a variety of settings (early intervention, schools, teletherapy & a nonprofit pediatric rehab hospital for children with developmental disabilities). She is an app beta tester for educational & therapeutic app developers and loves sharing info about great apps, products, books & toys to use with kids of all abilities.
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{please ignore any ads that may appear below. This is a free blog and I don’t have any control over ads nor do I profit from them}

Game Apps & AAC: why these need to be on separate devices (updated 7/26/22)

{Game Apps & AAC} Here is a perfect example of why an AAC app needs to be on a separate iPad from the “fun stuff”. Last week one of my patients earned 5 minutes of play time at the end of a session. We had already done a full session of aided language input and practice in using the TouchChat with WordPower AAC app. But I did not turn that off when I got out my secondary iPad with all the fun game apps… I always leave a “talker” out and available. This patient chose a basketball game and was having a blast shooting virtual hoops. But the true magic happened next. The game app has a variety of vehicles that go by on the street in the background. To be honest I hadn’t even noticed that they were there. He got so excited and spontaneously activated “groups” -> “vehicles” -> and then found the button for the vehicle that had just gone by in the app. It was fun to watch him go back and forth between shooting hoops and commenting on vehicles. I modeled use of social comments “sweet” & “awesome” when he made a great shot. If I only had one iPad, he would not have had the opportunity for this spontaneous language experience.

I just checked and the game app that we used is still currently FREE:
Streetball Game by Rodrigo Schmitt de Andrade
https://appsto.re/us/Vv80bb.i

(Updated 7/26/22: Unfortunately that particular Streetball basketball app has disappeared from the App Store. But it was just an example. There are lots of apps that a child would enjoy talking about on their AAC device while playing)


{FYI… yes this patient has his own NovaChat AAC device. Unfortunately the charging port is damaged so it has been shipped back for repairs. Glad I have TouchChat set up with the same pageset so we can continue to practice AAC use while his talker is being fixed during his inpatient admission at the hospital where I work as a SLP}


Additional articles about this:

https://praacticalaac.org/praactical/one-mobile-device-or-two-things-to-consider-about-ipadstablets-as-communication-devices/


https://www.friendshipcircle.org/blog/2016/03/08/5-ways-to-optimize-an-ipad-as-a-communication-device/


More Than an AAC Device?

Is it ever appropriate to use a student’s tablet—designed for facilitating communication—for other purposes?

https://leader.pubs.asha.org/doi/full/10.1044/leader.FMP.23062018.6?


Also readUsing Guided Access and Screen Time to Prevent Exiting an App + preventing deleting apps, installing apps and in-app purchases + info for those using Android, Amazon Fire and Windows devices (updated 7-16-22): https://omazingkidsllc.com/2020/10/20/using-guided-access-to-prevent-exiting-an-app-updated-info-for-2020/


Important Note: Decisions about whether or not an iPad or tablet should ONLY be used for AAC need to be made based on individual needs, age of the user, how long they have been using AAC, etc… The needs of a young child first learning how to use AAC are very different than the needs of an older teen or adult who uses tech to multitask.


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

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{Review} Bluebee Pals Pro

Bluebee Pals Pro

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{Review} Bluebee Pals Pro

I was excited to have the opportunity to test the upgraded version of the Bluebee Pals. I’ve been using them since April 2015 (see this post: http://bit.ly/2aAAsqO). Always fun to watch products evolve over time. Here’s what I love about the new Bluebee Pals Pros:

  • They are slightly larger, slightly heavier & fluffier
  • The sound output is louder with more noticeable mouth movement
  • The Bluebee Pal Pro tells you to connect it via Bluetooth, provides verbal feedback when it is connected and tells you when it needs to be charged
  • The process of connecting it to a device via Bluetooth is easier than before

The only slight glitch I noticed is that part of the word was left off when using it with an AAC app but this appeared to resolve after the first couple of activations. When doing a side-by-side comparison of the original and new Bluebee Pals, this was less noticeable with the new version.

Price: $64.99 each

Website: https://bluebeepals.com
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Side-by-side comparison:

Another fun use for Bluebee Pals is with music or music apps:

Singing “Sparrows”:

Singing “Take the Sun” in the Caspar Babypants Music Time! app
https://appsto.re/us/DGLdN.i

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See the power of using Bluebee Pals: 

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Quick instructional “how to” video:

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The company continues to be dedicated to getting Bluebee Pals into the hands of professionals working with kids with special needs. They have generously donated numerous Bluebee Pals to teachers, SLPs, OTs, etc… Check out their Bluebee Pals Ambassador program:

https://bluebeepals.com/ambassadors/
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Follow them on social media for product updates: https://www.facebook.com/BluebeePals

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_1ePfSV9XWfg_rCtdU634A
https://www.instagram.com/bluebeepals/

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Disclaimer: I received free samples of the product to review. No compensation was received to review them and my opinions are strictly my own.
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Angela Moorad, MS, CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
Founder of OMazing Kids, LLC – inclusive wellness & educational activities for kids of all abilities
Home E-Mail: amoorad1@juno.com
Facebook Messaging for OMazing Kids: https://www.facebook.com/messages/17426452595789
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/OMazingKidsYoga
AppPeeps Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/OMazingKidsAppPeeps/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/amoorad
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/amoorad1
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/OMazingKids/
Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/110305433538768736741
Boardmaker Share: http://www.boardmakershare.com/Community/FriendsProfile/10916/Angela-Moorad
Blog: http://omazingkidsllc.com
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Angela Moorad is the founder of OMazing Kids, LLC and is an ASHA certified & licensed pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist and Kids Yoga Teacher with over 26 years experience working in a variety of settings (early intervention, schools, teletherapy & a nonprofit pediatric rehab hospital for children with developmental disabilities). She is an app beta tester for educational & therapeutic app developers and loves sharing info about great apps, products, books & toys to use with kids of all abilities.
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{Power of Visuals}

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{Power of Visuals} Gotta LOVE the power of visual supports when working with kids with special needs! I have a patient who has had the hardest time understanding and using pronouns (he/she) and prepositions/spatial concepts. He doesn’t have Autism but most of the strategies that I use with that population are helpful for him. The use of visual support cue cards with a picture of a boy or girl, the rule for when to use the pronoun and a picture and description of the mouth shape for “he” vs. “she” in every session for several weeks finally paid off today! So cool to witness the moment it finally clicked for this child. I was able to fade the cue cards today and he had a solid ability to both understand and use these two pronouns correctly. I’m tackling the prepositions/spatial concepts using a similar concept but instead of printed cue cards I’m using the GoTalk Now AAC app as a visual support. Today was the first session where I finally saw the first signs of it clicking for him too. I’m sure for this child it’s the consistent visual + auditory feedback from the AAC app combined with placing a high interest object in/on/under a mini trashcan from the dollar store. I have other prepositions programmed but have them hidden until he masters these first three.

The he/she cue cards are available as part of a free printable in this post: https://omazingkidsllc.com/2016/05/25/free-printable-puppys-pronouns-sentence-building-cards/.

I used the GoTalk NOW PLUS AAC app by Attainment Company (https://appsto.re/us/LlfpS.i). They also have a free lite version of the app (https://appsto.re/us/Yic04.i).
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Angela Moorad, MS, CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
Founder of OMazing Kids, LLC – inclusive wellness & educational activities for kids of all abilities
Home E-Mail: amoorad1@juno.com
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Blog: http://omazingkidsllc.com
.
Angela Moorad is the founder of OMazing Kids, LLC and is an ASHA certified & licensed pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist and Kids Yoga Teacher with over 26 years experience working in a variety of settings (early intervention, schools, teletherapy & a nonprofit pediatric rehab hospital for children with developmental disabilities). She is an app beta tester for educational & therapeutic app developers and loves sharing info about great apps, products, books & toys to use with kids of all abilities.
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{please ignore any ads that may appear below. This is a free blog and I don’t have any control over ads nor do I profit from them}