Category Archives: app

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

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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)

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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:

So I decided to make this tutorial and offer it on my TPT store: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Tech-Tutorial-How-to-Add-Symbols-and-GIFs-to-WordToob-GoTalk-Now-and-TouchChat-7005534.

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)

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

A success story using the QuestionIt app

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Boom! Take that you darn Wh-questions! One of my 8 year old patients had a HUGE breakthrough in OMazing Kids speech therapy today. After what seems like an eternity of working on Wh-questions, it finally totally clicked today. The QuestionIt? app by Language Learning Apps, LLC has been an integral part of this breakthrough with the scaffolding, symbol enhanced text, multiple repetitions and feedback about the correct answer to a __ (who, what doing, when, where) question. This is a patient who previously could not answer a Wh-question at all. Instead he would either not respond or would respond with some random fact about numbers, maps or Luigi (all high interest areas of his). Guess what he was able to do today?! Sorting (Level 3 – no scaffolding: 95%), Answering Sentence (Level 3 – no scaffolding: 95%), Answering Advanced Sentences (Level 2 – no scaffolding & variations on the word order: 90%). So then I turned my iPad around where he just had to listen to the sentence & question in the Advanced Sentence level. His responses were a little slower but he still rocked it at 85% accuracy. At that point I was on the verge of SLP tears of joy. But it gets even better!

Our conversation as we walked back to the waiting room:

Me: “What are you doing for Spring Break?”
Him: “No homework”.
Me: “Yeah… No school & no homework! What fun things are you doing this week?”
Him: “We are going to a birthday party”
Me: “When?”
Him: “Today”
Me: “Whose birthday is it?”
Him: “_ (child’s name)… my brother’s friend”
Me: “What did you buy for a present?”
Him: ……. (to be honest my brain cut out at this point from the shock of him taking this many conversational turns, maintaining a topic & answering non-structured Wh-questions)

When we arrived to the waiting room, his mom confirmed that all his answers were accurate & we basked in the glory of how far he has come. When I first started seeing him a few years ago, he was minimally verbal & had huge meltdowns at even the mention of the words “birthday” or “party” (tons of sensory issues).

We still have lots more to work on but for today I am enjoying this moment of how far he has come. I share this for all the parents out there & all the therapists who work with their children…. the tunnel may be long but there is definitely hope & light at the end of that tunnel.

Info about this app: https://languagelearningapps.com/app-questionit.html & the review I did on The Appy Ladies: http://theappyladies.com/questionit. (Unfortunately my in-depth review about this app disappeared when The Appy Ladies website disappeared)

Full paid version: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/questionit-ed/id1071917440

Free lite version: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/questionit/id458737797

(This was originally posted on my OMazing Kids Facebook page on 3/16/15: https://bit.ly/3zNwnrM. I’m in the process of saving some of those posts here on my blog to make them easier to link / share during presentations)

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

What to do if you see this error message…

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I’ve seen numerous posts in a variety of Facebook AAC groups over the past week or so regarding folks getting an error message that the developer needs to update the app. But I have all of the apps in question and know that they are all updated and work fine on both iOS 14.5 and iOS 14.6 (the most current iOS).

What to do if you see this error message depends on the type of device you are using:

  1. Regular iPads: For those using the AAC app on a regular (not “managed”) iPad, check to make sure the iOS and the AAC are both updated and then do a forced restart. You may need to check in your Purchased area in the App Store to make sure there isn’t an update that just hasn’t been pushed out to you yet. See this blog post if you need info about how to do a forced restart: https://omazingkidsllc.com/2021/01/01/how-to-do-a-force-restart-on-an-ipad/. This seems to be resolving the issue for those on regular (not “managed”) devices.
  2. Mobile Device Management (MDM) system devices: If you are using a “managed” iOS-based device and are not able to access the areas to update the iOS and app on it, then you’ll need to check with the company that sold that device. Their customer service number should be on the back of the device. If not, see this post for info about companies that sell those: https://omazingkidsllc.com/2021/03/12/fundable-ios-based-aac-devices/. My best guess is there’s something in their management system that’s either preventing an update or triggering that error message. If the school district provided the device and uses their own system to manage them, then you’ll need to check with the department that handles that.

If any of the companies that sell managed devices have additional insights on what to do feel free to message me on my OMazing Kids AAC Consulting Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/OMazingKidsAAC/) I’ve had several folks asking so I’ll be giving updates on any new info.

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

Feature Matching Chart for the Top 10 iOS Symbol-Based AAC Apps (updated 6/11/21)

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*** 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 AAC Apps has been updated and the new version uploaded to my Teachers Pay Teachers store (https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Feature-Matching-Chart-for-the-Top-10-iOS-Symbol-Based-AAC-Apps-6867853) and Ko-fi subscription site.

It includes info about app updates done in the past month, info about head tracking and eye gaze capabilities in CoughDrop, a few more tips and time saving features and I added a row about backup/share/restore via a USB flash drive.

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 Business 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

AAC Tutorial: Backup / Restore / Share Customized Programming in the Top 10 iOS Symbol-Based AAC Apps (includes how to use an external USB drive and USB Camera Adapter with Apple Files)

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AAC Tutorial: Backup / Restore / Share Customized Programming in the Top 10 iOS Symbol-Based AAC Apps (includes 2 videos & a PDF handout). Covers several options including detailed instructions on how to use an external USB drive and USB Camera Adapter with Apple Files. Now available on my Teachers Pay Teachers store: https://bit.ly/3zj41FG

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 Business 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

Tech Tips: Troubleshooting iPad Sound Problems

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Having issues with sound on your iPad? Here’s a free handout for some things to try: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Tech-Tips-Troubleshooting-iPad-Sound-Problems-6922686

Not on Teachers Pay Teachers? You can also download the free PDF from my blog: https://omazingkidsyoga.files.wordpress.com/2021/06/tech-tips-troubleshooting-ipad-sound-problems.pdf

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 Business 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

Blog: http://omazingkidsllc.com

LAMP Words for Life on iPad with High Contrast Symbols

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This is what the LAMP Words for Life app looks like on my iPad modified to use High Contrast symbols:

Want to know more? Check out this short recorded webinar on my Teachers Pay Teachers store: https://bit.ly/2Rd430G

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 Business 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

Blog: http://omazingkidsllc.com

Comparing Five All-Purpose Articulation Apps for SLPs in 2021

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Here’s an updated comparison of five all-purpose articulation apps:

  • Articulation Station Pro
  • ArtikPix Full
  • Speech Tutor Pro
  • Webber Photo Artic Castle Pro
  • Articulate It! Pro

My recommendations have changed quite a bit recently due to glitches not being fixed in one app and two apps not being updated. This raises a red flag as to whether or not they will continue to work as new iOS versions are released.

Only two of these apps are still highly recommended: Articulation Station Pro & ArtikPix Full

Two are now designated as “purchase with caution” (Speech Tutor Pro & Webber Photo Artic Castle Pro) and one is no longer recommended for purchase (Articulate It! Pro).

I sent messages to all three app developers to ask about plans to update their app. As of the time of this blog post none of them have replied. All three of those companies have a subscription-based site so it’s likely that they are focusing on that now vs. maintaining existing apps.

See this updated interactive chart for the details: https://bit.ly/3fmCBXG

Note: The PDF is not formatted to be printed. It is best viewed in the free Xodo app or Books app.

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 Business 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

Blog: http://omazingkidsllc.com