Category Archives: Augmentative Communication

{Review} Smarty Symbols Image Club

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{Review} Smarty Symbols Image Club

I have several patients who use the Speak For Yourself AAC app. That app uses Smarty Symbols. So I was especially thrilled to have the opportunity to try out the online Smarty Symbols Image Club (https://smartysymbols.com).

I already had the Custom Boards – Premium app (https://appsto.re/us/1hHNB.i) with access to over 10,000 symbols.

I was excited to see the Smarty Symbol Image Club has over 19,000 symbols. They even add hundreds of new images to their portal on a monthly basis. Many of these images are created in response to the requests by subscribers. If you search for a word and you don’t find it, they will create it for you!

I was able to quickly create a CV web mat to use in conjunction with the fabulous free speech sound cue cards from Speechy Musings also featuring Smarty Symbols (https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Speech-Sound-Cue-Cards-Freebie-2196455). The website was easy to use. I can’t wait to make more materials featuring Smarty Symbols!

Here are some of the key features in the Smarty Symbol Image Club:

  • Access over 19,000 symbols
  • Ability to request a specific symbol be created
  • New symbols added monthly
  • Symbols representing a variety of genders, ages & ethnicities
  • All symbols are offered in full color or gray scale
  • You can download images in two formats: .png (transparent background – great for layering) or .jpg (white background). You can easily insert them onto your materials.
  • Images are organized into over 140 educationally relevant categories
  • You can search images by speech sound & position in a word making it very easy for SLPs to create materials to target particular articulation goals.
  • Activity Library where users can share activities they have created with other subscribers.
  • Printing Center with 40 templates. You can also create your own custom grids with 1-8 columns and 1-8 rows, specify the border color and adjust the border thickness. This portion of the website can only be accessed via a computer (not iPad-compatible).
  • Several video tutorials to help you get up to speed quickly on using the website: https://smartysymbols.com/videos/
  • Subscribers Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/447191572097599
  • Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/smartysymbols/?ref=ts&fref=ts

Pricing Options: https://smartysymbols.com/our-plans-pricing/. For personal use, they currently offer rates of $45 per year or $9 per month. They also offer group licenses at a discounted rate to school districts and educational agencies (contact them for that pricing).

If you have an online store such as a store on websites like Teachers Pay Teachers, you will want a commercial license which gives you the rights to post your creations for sale while your subscription is active. The commercial license gives users the same access as a personal license. The key difference is that you will be sharing whatever you created with others online or by selling the material to others. They currently offer commercial rates of $200 per year or $29.99 per month.

If you are needing an option that is totally iPad compatible and templates for common AAC mid-tech devices, then their Custom Boards app will be a better fit for your needs (http://smartyearsapps.com/service/custom-boards/)

On the other hand, if you would rather create items on the computer, have access to more symbols (including .png format that can be layered and used in other projects) and those representing a wider variety of ages and ethnic backgrounds, have access to the activity library where other subscribers have shared materials and don’t anticipate needing AAC templates, then the online subscription to the Smarty Symbols Image Club would be a great option.

Or get the best of both worlds by getting both the app & the online subscription. Both the app and the online subscription offer the option to search for images by speech sound & position in a word making it very easy for SLPs to create materials to target particular articulation goals. Both also offer the option to search for symbols in the “Speak For Yourself (SFY) Core”.

The cool thing is all of these options are significantly more affordable than a Boardmaker CD or a subscription to Boardmaker Online.

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I was blessed to win a copy of a Boardmaker CD many years ago and it’s definitely gotten LOTS of use. You’ve also seen me post about the Tools 2 Talk app with PCS symbols, the iESLp app with SymbolStix, the GoTalk Now Plus app with PCS and SymbolStix, the Custom Boards app with Smarty Symbols and now the Smarty Symbols Image Club. Each of these tools is unique and I pick the one best suited to the need in that moment.

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In the era of working with patients using AAC devices with varying symbol sets I’m glad to have a way to make materials and visual supports with the symbols that each patient is accustomed to. If I’m making visual supports or therapy materials that will be used across lots of different patients, then I often pick symbols from a variety of symbol sets going with whatever best depicts the concept.

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Disclaimer: I received a free subscription to this website to facilitate my review. Opinions expressed are 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
Facebook Messaging for OMazing Kids: http://m.me/OMazingKidsYoga
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 27 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 Watch YouTube Videos Offline} Get this free app & follow the steps in the post (updated 8/17/17)

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{How To Watch YouTube Videos Offline}

Need to access YouTube videos without WiFi? I have several patients who have very specific YouTube videos that they request via AAC and it doesn’t end well when I can’t get those videos to play because of the poor / inconsistent WiFi at work. So I found a way to solve that issue.

Follow the steps in this post to download a video to your iPad. I just was able to get it to work on my iPad Air running iOS 9.3.1 and saved a YouTube video of the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Hot Dog song to the Camera Roll on my iPad (pretty sure this song is now permanently stuck in my brain… ahhh the sacrifices we make to insure we have the stuff our patients are willing to communicate for 🤓).

The post mentions that there may be issues if you are running iOS 10 but still worth trying.

http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/how-to/apple/how-download-youtube-videos-iphone-or-ipad-using-app-ios-3623759/

Here is the free app they mention: Documents 5 – File manager, PDF reader and browser by Readdle https://appsto.re/us/Vw_Vv.i

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UPDATE: The app listed above was no longer working so I now use this website. I save the video to my laptop and the e-mail it to the iPad that I want to save it on:

http://keepvid.com/

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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 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
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/omazingkids
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 27 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.

{Dear Apple} If you want to be “special needs friendly”, please do this….

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Dear Apple,

iPads were the best purchase ever as a SLP. If you truly want iPads to be “special needs friendly”, please do this:

  • Maintain consistent sizes on devices. Companies that make cases need consistent sizes over time for them to invest in making cases for them. It has been a challenge to find cases for the iPad Mini 4 & iPad Pro 9.7″

 

  • Please make an iPad Pro Mini. Having the Mini size + the 4 speakers + the enhanced processor speed would make it ideal for most kids who would use it for AAC.

 

  • Please add the visual aspect back to the built in timer in your next update for iOS 10. Very useful for kids with Autism.

Thanks for considering these suggestions!
Angela Moorad, MS, CCC-SLP
OMazing Kids (https://omazingkidsllc.com/)
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This feedback was submitted directly to Apple via their online feedback form on 11/6/16. I’ll keep you posted if I get a response. I have seen rumors of a an iPad Pro 7.9″ (aka. iPad Mini 5 but with 4 speakers and other features of the iPad Pro) possibly coming in March 2017. If that happens, I hope Gripcase & Lifeproof will both get on board in supporting the special needs community and offer cases for it. 

https://www.apple.com/feedback/ipad.html

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Here are some good FREE visual timer apps to use until Apple adds the visual aspect back to the built in iPad timer:

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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 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
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/omazingkids
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 27 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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Three Fun Books: Mr. Cookie Baker, Truck Driver Tom & Firefighter Frank (ideas for therapy & AAC)

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I love Monica Wellington’s books! Excited that her publisher sent me these three books to add to my OMazing Kids library. Lots of fun possibilities for targeting goals in speech therapy:

* Firefighter Frank board book (smaller size and sturdy pages make board books especially easy to incorporate side-by-side with AAC; lots of great opportunities for verbs: work, wash, visit, sit, cook, eat, slide, jump, climb, go, run, spray, rescue, sleep; adjectives: clean, fast, tall, hungry, tired; prepositions: at, in, out, down, up, off; and additional core vocabulary for AAC users: is, ready, when)

* Mr. Cookie Baker (lots of great opportunities for verbs: make, count, measure, mix, roll, cut, bake, decorate, come, show, sell, close; adjectives: early, delicious, colored, hungry, proud, crowded; and additional core vocabulary for AAC users: get, make, for, out, with, in)

* Truck Driver Tom (lots of great opportunities for verbs: drive, look, haul, work, honk, stretch, fill, cross, arrive, deliver, order, eat, meet, sleep; adjectives: big, fresh, fast, slow, bumpy, busy, crowded, hungry, tired; prepositions: off, on, in, down, over, through, around, up; and additional core vocabulary for AAC users: to, for, done)

Of course I also love to expand themes using toys & apps. Here are some faves to go with these themes:

Firefighters:

Imaginext Fire Truck Playset by Fisher Price

Free printable kids yoga cards: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Firefighter-Yoga-2781763

Free printables & craft ideas: https://www.kidssoup.com/activity/firefighter-and-fire-safety-activities-lessons-and-crafts

Brave Fireman HD: Educational Puzzle Game for Kids by iAppsTeam
https://appsto.re/us/xbM5U.i

Tiny Firefighters: Police & Firefighters for Kids by wonderkind GmbH
https://appsto.re/us/Jb8QL.i

Jobi’s Fire Station by Yellephant Co., Ltd.
https://appsto.re/us/8Yhd4.i

Fire Truck by Good Glue
https://appsto.re/us/3I6tD.i

Do Your Part, Be Fire Smart by Positive Promotions
https://appsto.re/us/GQIKdb.i

Kids Vehicles: Emergency – Police, Fire & Rescue by Yaycom s.c.
https://appsto.re/us/ZOVTdb.i

Cookies / Baking:

Melissa & Doug Slice and Bake Cookie Set:

Free printables: http://www.1plus1plus1equals1.net/2015/01/mr-cookie-baker-kindergarten-literature-unit/

Cookie Doodle by Shoe the Goose
https://appsto.re/us/wxhzu.i

Shiny Bakery by Shiny Things
https://appsto.re/us/thd6Q.i

Easy-Bake Treats! by Hasbro, Inc.
https://appsto.re/us/shBLB.i

My Little Cook: I bake delicious cakes by Kids’ Mania
https://appsto.re/us/T7LG0.i

Max & Ruby Bunny Bake Off by CUPCAKE DIGITAL INC
https://appsto.re/us/D-Qy2.i

Happy Bakery Funny Game by BieMore Co., Ltd.
https://appsto.re/us/NGDedb.i

Trucks:

Green Toys Dump Truck: https://www.amazon.com/Green-Toys-Dump-Truck-5512757/dp/B001Q3KU9Q

Super Nano Trucks by Bughouse
https://appsto.re/us/r4HH4.i

Big City Vehicles – Cars and Trucks for Kids by The Melody Book
https://appsto.re/us/8DtE7.i

Kids Vehicles: City Trucks & Buses HD for the iPad by Yaycom s.c.
https://appsto.re/us/ERZBC.i

ToyBrush 3D – Cars, Planes, Trucks and More by Croco Studio
https://appsto.re/us/Glgx5.i

I Like Trucks Picture Book for Kids by Innovative Investments Limited
https://appsto.re/us/4H65z.i

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Angela Moorad, MS, CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist & Kids Yoga Teacher
Founder of OMazing Kids, LLC – inclusive wellness & educational activities for kids of all abilities
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
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/omazingkids
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 27 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.

{Appy AAC Awareness Month}: Favorite Apps for Teaching AAC Core Vocabulary (updated 3/12/23)

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{Appy AAC Awareness Month}: Favorite Apps for Teaching AAC Core Vocabulary

3/13/22: Thanks to Vicki Clarke for the mention of this post in your article today on PrAACtical AAC: AAC Implementation Framework: Step 2, TRAIN: https://praacticalaac.org/praactical/aac-implementation-framework-step-2-train.

Welcome to anyone visiting this 2016 blog post. I’ve updated app availability below. Sadly several of these apps are no longer available. App prices have changed since I wrote this post over 6 years ago.

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A more current resource about apps is my Ultimate App and Digital Resource Guide for SLPs (I’ll be working on doing the 2023 update for that soon. Anyone who has previously purchased it will be able to download the updated version when it’s available: https://bit.ly/UltimateAppDigitalResourceGuideSLP.

  • Interactive PDF (256 pages with linked Table of Contents) full of lists of hundreds of apps and digital resources organized by SLP goal areas and themes
  • App demo videos (links to 29 unlisted YouTube videos)

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100 Great Kids Picture Books to Target Core Vocabulary for AAC Users: https://bit.ly/PictureBooks4CoreAAC

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To make things easier to find on my blog see the new Resources Links page: https://omazingkidsllc.com/omazing-kids-aac-resource-links/

7/22/20: See this newer blog post for current info: https://omazingkidsllc.com/2020/07/22/over-100-free-affordable-apps-boom-cards-to-target-aac-core-vocabulary-list-compiled-by-angela-moorad-ms-ccc-slp-omazing-kids/

I’m always looking for fun and motivating ways to target core vocabulary for my patients that are AAC users. I use a variety of toys, books, sensory activities & apps to provide lots of opportunities for practice in the short amount of time I have with them in OMazing Kids speech therapy each week. My iPad loaded with fabulous apps is one of the best tools in my SLP therapy toolbox!

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Here are some of my favorite iOS apps for targeting core vocabulary (listed in alphabetical order, prices were verified and all were available in the USA App Store at the time of this post. I have no way to know if these apps are available in other countries or what the prices would be if they are):

* BakingFun for Kids, $1.99, https://appsto.re/us/HZYAQ.i (free printable core vocab mini book to go with the app: https://omazingkidsllc.com/2014/08/25/core-vocabulary-app-of-the-week-free-printable-booklet-baking-fun-by-kujifun/)
* Bamba apps (my faves are: Ice-Cream, FREE, https://appsto.re/us/gkz-F.i & Wonderland, FREE, https://appsto.re/us/Frwzcb.i)
* Build A Truck – Duck Duck Moose, FREE, https://appsto.re/us/tSBYR.i
* Choo Choo Park, $.99 -> currently FREE, https://appsto.re/us/V2G_9.i (definitely worth grabbing all 6 of their apps while they are free. I rotate them on/off my iPad seasonally or based on themes. Update 3/13/23: Sadly all of these apps have totally disappeared from the App Store)
* Dr. Panda apps (tons of great apps… some of my faves: Bus Driver, $2.99. -> currently on sale for $.99, https://appsto.re/us/JhJlS.i; Carnival, $2.99, https://appsto.re/us/KvVQ7.i; Bath Time,
$2.99, https://appsto.re/us/iek0bb.i; Daycare, $2.99, https://appsto.re/us/fuJuI.i & Swimming Pool, $1.99, https://appsto.re/us/xKWM2.i)
* Frosby Picnic Camp, $1.99, https://appsto.re/us/1H16O.i
* Fuzzy House, $2.99, https://appsto.re/us/jPZBbb.i
* Let’s Make Friends – Play Toy, $2.99, https://appsto.re/us/Rvk-Q.i
* My PlayHome, $3.99, https://appsto.re/us/5fdnA.i (they also have Stores (https://appsto.re/us/slcXO.i), School (https://appsto.re/us/zL392.i) & Hospital (https://appsto.re/us/FAksbb.i) apps that are $2.99 each and the cool thing is the apps all link to each other so you can easily explore the town. Update 3/13/23: They also have a newer My PlayHome Plus app)
* Pepi Garage, FREE, https://appsto.re/us/a0Me9.i (Update 3/13/23: Sadly this app has disappeared from the App Store)
* Pogg, $.99, https://appsto.re/us/L4HUt.i
* Sago Mini apps (lots of great apps…. some of my faves: Friends, FREE, https://appsto.re/us/61Qh0.i (Update 3/12/23: $3.99, new link: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/sago-mini-friends/id1245748156. This app developer has primarily switched to a subscription based model with their Sago Mini World app: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/sago-mini-world-kids-games/id874425722); Road Trip, $2.99, https://appsto.re/us/M1E7Z.i (Update 3/12/23: no longer available as a stand alone app but it’s available within Sago Mini World)
* Science Museum Splash!, $.99, https://appsto.re/us/sfoDQ.i (very excited to see this app reappear in the App Store. Update 3/12/23: Sadly this app has disappeared again)
* Sharing with Duckie Deck, $2.99, https://appsto.re/us/la7qI.i (Update 3/12/23: Sadly this app has disappeared from the App Store)
* Toca Boca apps (several great apps… some of my faves: Pet Doctor, $2.99, https://appsto.re/us/HnSkW.i, Tea Party, $2.99, https://appsto.re/us/Kogsz.i & Train, $2.99, https://appsto.re/us/JM5fF.i)
* Wheels on the Bus HD by Duck Duck Moose, FREE, https://appsto.re/us/kg7kw.i

For older kids & teens, I also use a variety of sports-themed and game apps (ex: Streetball Game, $2.99, https://appsto.re/us/Vv80bb.i (Update 3/12/23: Sadly this app has disappeared from the App Store); Galaxy Bowling, $3.99,
https://appsto.re/us/FwitA.i; Air Hockey by Acceleroto, $.99, https://appsto.re/us/LrAdr.i, Sprinkle Junior, $1.99, https://appsto.re/us/KB7sC.i (Update 3/12/23: Sadly this app has disappeared from the App Store), Thinkrolls Logic Puzzles Bundle – 2 apps, $5.99, https://appsto.re/us/sr_0db.i, Update 3/12/23: That bundle is no longer available but you can still purchase the apps separately: Thinkrolls: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/thinkrolls-kids-logic-puzzles/id917176209, Thinkrolls 2: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/thinkrolls-2-kids-puzzles/id968707176)
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Tips: Apps come and go frequently in the App Store. New apps are released. Sometimes older apps disappear while they are being updated. Sometimes they never reappear. So it’s always wise to periodically back up your iPad by plugging it into a computer logged into your iTunes account. This insures you won’t lose any apps that may disappear from the App Store. I originally got most of these apps by grabbing them quickly when they were free for a day or two. Watch my OMazing Kids Facebook page and AppPeeps Facebook group where I share these as “free app alerts”. Others I got on sale or via doing app reviews.

The main thing I look for when searching for apps to use for targeting core vocabulary for AAC users in therapy sessions are open-ended play apps that are intuitive, have large engaging graphics, are ad-free, have the option to toggle off any background music or it is very subtle (not over stimulating) while still leaving on any sound effects or voiceovers and any outside links are well hidden behind a parental gate.
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Of course these apps should be on a separate iPad from their “talker” so you can “talk” while playing (Update 3/12/23: Some apps could also be used in Split View or Slide Over)

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I use these apps to target the same core vocabulary that I would with a “real” toy or activity. Think of it as the “virtual” version of that. I lock the “play” iPad into the app that I have selected by enabling Guided Access. If the child is using an iPad as their “talker”, then it is also locked into their AAC app via Guided Access.

(Update 3/12/23: please read this blog post for the most current info about Tech Safety. There are more options now. It no longer has to be all or nothing: https://bit.ly/TechSafetyAndAAC-BlogPost)

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Need ideas for how to target core vocabulary? I’m LOVING the Core Word 5-Minute Fillers on the NEW AssistiveWare Core Word Classroom website. Here’s a screenshot of the one for Mr. Potato Head.

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You could use these ideas with a “real” Mr. Potato Head or the app version (Mr. Potato Head – Create & Play: School Edition by Originator Inc., $4.99, https://appsto.re/us/Y6JCI.i. Update 3/12/23: Sadly this app has disappeared from the App Store)

http://coreword.assistiveware.com – It’s only free for a short time while the website is in “beta” development so I’d suggest that you save any PDFs that you love.
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I also love this free resource from Saltillo (maker of NovaChat and ChatFusion SGDs & the TouchChat AAC app): https://www.facebook.com/OMazingKidsYoga/photos/a.433610663356611.117461.174264525957894/1192093340841669/?type=3
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Other helpful resources:

Balanced AAC approach: http://praacticalaac.org/praactical/the-baby-the-bathwater-and-core-vocabulary/

Tons of great info: http://praacticalaac.org/?s=Core

Quick handout: http://www.handyhandouts.com/pdf/405_CoreVocabulary.pdf

Need help getting FREE access to AAC apps to trial with patients? Check out this post:

Update 3/12/23: The most current info about how SLPs/SLTs can get access to robust AAC apps can be found on this post: https://bit.ly/AACtestdrive

#SLPeeps #AAC #AidedLanguageStimulation #augcomm
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Updated contact info 3/12/23

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 / Resource Links page: https://omazingkidsllc.com/omazing-kids-aac-resource-links

Symbol Supported Language Stimulation: visual supports to expand verbal utterances (updated 6/24/23)

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Symbol Supported Language Stimulation: visual supports to expand verbal utterances

You are a “vintage” SLP if you remember using the Fokes Sentence Builder as a visual means of teaching kids how words go together to form sentences. For the past 27 years, I’ve infused that concept into how I model language. The pictures in the old Fokes were very outdated plus the copy of it at the facility where I work was very musty. So I use Boardmaker, the Custom Boards app by Smarty Ears, the GoTalk Now Plus AAC app with SymbolStix and PCS library add-ons (can export as PDF) or the Tools2Talk+ app to make my own customized visual supports. I’m “old school” and am still using a Boardmaker CD on a computer. I’ve considered using one of the many online options but haven’t so far since I didn’t want to have to pay for an ongoing subscription.

Most of the kids on my caseload have Autism or similar diagnoses and respond well to use of visual supports. For kids who are verbal, I use a variety of visual supports to show them how to create sentences. The picture at the top of this post is an example of my latest creation to go with my vintage Illco Sesame Street House (circa 1988) and wooden Fisher Price Mini Bus and Little People (circa 1969). It’s always cool to see how well my patients respond with use of these visual supports. Instead of imitating a word or maybe two, they are much more likely to imitate a whole utterance and then often use that utterance again spontaneously within that session.

For kids who are AAC users, I use aided language stimulation in activities that are interesting and highly motivating for them to model creation of sentences either directly on their device or on a companion device with the same vocabulary.
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I also use several great sentence building apps (yeah… I’m a cool mix of vintage & modern 😉 ):

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I use and love the Storyteller Writing Box from Lakeshore. I use it both to create sentences and as a visual support for answering Wh-questions: https://www.lakeshorelearning.com/products/ca/p/LL904

 

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If you have Boardmaker, check out these free printable symbols and frames for the vocabulary in the Fokes Sentence Builder:

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(Update: 6/1/20 – That website has disappeared. Thankfully I had these saved a modified version of the Boardmaker Fokes Sentence Builder on my computer and just uploaded them to my blog as three PDF files:
1) https://omazingkidsllc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/fokes-sentence-frames-prints-on-fewer-pages.pdf
2) https://omazingkidsllc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/fokes-sentence-builder-who-what-doing-modified.pdf
3) https://omazingkidsllc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/fokes-sentence-builder-which-where-modified.pdf

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Subscription-based symbol site where you can easily make your own visual supports:

* http://www.boardmakeronline.com (has free 30-day trial)
* https://www.n2y.com/store/n2y-Products/SSX
* https://smartysymbols.com/our-plans-pricing/

Updated 6/24/23:

A few of the resources that I purchased on TPT and used:

Describe the Dog with Adjective + Noun (Book + Boom Cards!), https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Describe-the-Dog-with-Adjective-Noun-Book-Boom-Cards-1732379?st=05b867d6d339d81c22b48d4153a52f4a
Who, What, Where Scenes: Wh-Questions w. BOOM CARDS, https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Who-What-Where-Scenes-Wh-Questions-w-BOOM-CARDS-2651065
Freebie Interactive Book! “What Are They Doing?” Noun + Verb, https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Freebie-Interactive-Book-What-Are-They-Doing-Noun-Verb-1769864
Describing Cats Interactive Book: Adjective + Noun Combinations w. BOOM CARDS, https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Describing-Cats-Interactive-Book-Adjective-Noun-Combinations-w-BOOM-CARDS-1859578
Form-a-Phrase Dough Mats: Practice Combining Word + Boom Cards!, https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Form-a-Phrase-Dough-Mats-Practice-Combining-Word-Boom-Cards-2368240
Form-a-Phrase Dough Mats: DESCRIBING! MLU: Phrases + Sentences with Boom Cards!, https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Form-a-Phrase-Dough-Mats-DESCRIBING-MLU-Phrases-Sentences-with-Boom-Cards-2976117

Looking for sentence building resources with GIFs? https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Browse/Search:Sentence%20building%20GIFs

Important Note: Use of these types of visual supports for combining words into phrases or sentences is NOT promoting “symbolated text” for reading (an outdated practice that has now been found to interfere with learning to read). Use of these symbols is NOT PECS®. I used these types of visuals to help kids see how words could be combined and found them very helpful. When working with AAC users I created visual supports that matched whatever AAC they were using along with modeling on that app on my iPad.

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

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{New Favorite Therapy Toy & Aided Language Stimulation} The Playskool Learnimals Color Me Hungry Hippo – free printable included

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{New Favorite Therapy Toy & Aided Language Stimulation} The Playskool Learnimals Color Me Hungry Hippo is my new favorite therapy toy! I had several patients squeal and giggle with delight at the sight of a jumbo version of the character they know from the popular Hungry Hungry Hippos kids game. One adorable articulation patient said “Is dat Hunwee Hunwee Hippo?” in the most astonished voice…. lol! What’s not to love about a toy that you can feed, his belly lights up to match the color of the item inserted and you learn about colors, shapes, food and counting? This new BFF also enticed one of my youngest patients to say “eat”, “mmm” & “yum” (a huge deal for this kiddo). For my AAC users and patients that I use symbol supported language stimulation as visual supports to expand verbal utterances, I made printable symbols and added him to several of my AAC apps. Besides those early concepts, also lots of opportunities for core vocabulary (today I targeted eat, hungry, in, open, more, again, full and done but already have others in mind).

I bought mine for $18.09 with free shipping through Amazon Prime (https://www.amazon.com/Playskool-Learnimals-Color-Hungry-Hippo/dp/B00C3WXKQ4). Don’t think he’s available in stores anymore but definitely worth also looking for at thrift shops and garage sales.

Here is a PDF of the symbols that I made to go with it:

1-Page PDF of printable symbols for Color Me Hungry Hippo - made by Angela Moorad, MS, CCC-SLP, OMazing Kids

1-Page PDF of printable symbols for Color Me Hungry Hippo – made by Angela Moorad, MS, CCC-SLP, OMazing Kids

https://omazingkidsllc.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/color-me-hungry-hippo-symbols-pecs-aided-language-stimulation-symbol-supported-language-stimulation-sentence-building-omazing-kids.pdf
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By the way, did you know that there is a FREE app? I use it all the time in therapy. A fun alternative to the real game: Hungry Hungry Hippos by Hasbro, Inc., https://appsto.re/us/BugeH.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
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
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Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/110305433538768736741
Boardmaker Share: http://www.boardmakershare.com/Community/FriendsProfile/10916/Angela-Moorad
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.

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)

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{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 read “Using 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

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

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

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• 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

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{Review} Bluebee Pals Pro

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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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{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}