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

Posted on August 17, 2016 by OMazing Kids

{$.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.

Angela Moorad, MS, CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
Founder of OMazing Kids, LLC – inclusive wellness & educational activities for kids of all abilities
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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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{App Update Tips} Why automatic updates are a bad idea & how to manually update apps

Posted on August 8, 2016 by OMazing Kids

{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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Keeping an open mind

Posted on August 2, 2016 by OMazing Kids

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

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

Posted on July 31, 2016 by OMazing Kids

{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

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{Power of Visuals}

Posted on July 29, 2016 by OMazing Kids

{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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{No Prep SLP Tips: Candy Land}

Posted on July 28, 2016 by OMazing Kids

{No Prep SLP Tips: Candy Land} I know there are several resources on TPT to go with the Candy Land game but I after being a SLP for over 26 years I have an enormous stash of materials and didn’t want to spend the $$$, ink or time printing, laminating and cutting new stuff. So I made colored mats to match the colors in the Candy Land game by cutting apart some old placemats (could also easily be made by laminating colored card stock or construction paper). Then I placed the therapy materials targeting my patient’s goals on the colored mats. During the therapy session we used the Candy Cards app to draw a card, then selected a card from the corresponding colored mat before moving the Candy Land game piece. When the patient drew a double colored card, we did two therapy cards from that mat. I’m storing the colored mats in the game box. Love having resources to “grab & go” 🙂

More info about adapting the Candy Land game: http://bit.ly/2a6sGBL

#SLPeeps #ashaigers #NoPrep
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Adapted Games for Inclusive Play: Candy Land (updated 3/19/24)

Posted on July 26, 2016 by OMazing Kids

Adapted Games for Inclusive Play: Candy Land

[Note 3/19/24: This blog post was originally written in 2016. Sadly some of the websites or blogs linked have disappeared over the years]

I’ve been looking for a way to make the Candy Land game accessible for kids with special needs and found a great solution by combing an app, a specific version of the board game and ideas from an old journal article and a few websites!

Who knew that there has been SO many different versions of this game over the years and that each version has slightly different pictures on the “picture squares” in the game?

Well there has been and I was determined to get the version of the board game that matched up to this app. Could have sworn that I already had the Candy Land board game but looked through my entire stash of materials and couldn’t find it. If I had found it and it wasn’t the right version, my plan was to take screenshots of the pink picture squares from the app and attach them to the game board to make it match.
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After extensive research I finally figured out which version of the Candy Land board game matches this app. I bought “Candy Land – The Kingdom of Sweets Board Game” (2010) on Amazon for $7.49: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00000DMF5 and this app for $.99 (Candy Cards by Panther Technology, https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/candy-cards/id554983778?mt=8 , iOS 3.2 or later, Universal app that works on iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch). I was initially leery of the app since it had not been updated since 2012 but at the price of $.99 decided to try it out. I’m pleased to report that it worked fine on my iPad Air (running iOS 9.3.1) and on my iPhone 5 (running iOS 9.3.2). The only quirky thing I noted when using the app on an iPhone is that the app did not adjust to landscape orientation and had a small black band of dead space at the top and bottom of the screen.

Check out all the options in this app’s settings area:

Under “Accessibility” settings:

“Safety Time”: For kids who tend to tap repetitively, you can lock the screen for 2, 3, 5 or 10 seconds after drawing each card.
The “Target” feature can be centered, appear at random places, or even move around the screen if you are wanting to work on “targeted touch”. When “target” is toggled off, you can tap anywhere on the screen to “draw” a card (great for kids with more severe motor impairments).

Under “Play Settings”, you can toggle on/off the background music, the card count, and sound effects and select one of four backgrounds (grey metal, orange, candy stripe and my personal fave… a calming green).

See more about the app on the developer’s website: http://panthertechnology.com/products/panther-candy-cards/

*** Update 3/19/24: Sadly this app by Panther Technology disappeared several years ago. See info about a new free app from a different app developer below ***

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So for the bargain price of $8.48 I now have a version of this classic kids game that is more inclusive of kids of a wide range of abilities and needs. I plan on modifying play further when I am in a group or have parents and/or siblings present by playing as “teams” where one teammate’s job is to “draw” the card using the app and the other teammate’s job is to move the game piece. Another option in a 1-on-1 session would be for you and the child to use it as a “cooperative” game and work together as a team to move one of the game pieces to the castle.

I am also planning on incorporating the ideas for adaptations & task analysis from the journal article “Everyone Can Play!: Adapting the Candy Land Board Game TEACHING Exceptional Children July-August 1996 28: 28-33” (yes I realize the article is 20 years old but the concepts are still valid today). I saved a PDF of the full article out on Dropbox: https://www.dropbox.com/s/1p1pimgnjmm52wp/Everyone%20Can%20Play%20-%20Adapting%20the%20Candy%20Land%20Board%20Game.pdf?dl=0

{No Prep SLP Tips: Candy Land} https://omazingkidsllc.com/2016/07/28/no-prep-slp-tips-candy-land/

Additional ideas:

http://adaptedcurriculumclassroom.blogspot.com/2011/09/fun-friday-candyland.html
http://www.mydynamictherapy.com/blog/lets-play-board-games-adapting-games-for-children-with-severe-speech-and-physical-impairments
http://www.aacreatively.com/?p=557
http://www.wonderbaby.org/resources/accessible-candy-land (textured adaptation for visual impairments)
http://wheredidthebirdgo.com/2012/10/candy-land-more-than-just-a-game/ (to teach sequencing)

Check out these great Pinterest boards full of game adaptation ideas:

And lots of materials created by SLPs on TPT: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Browse/PreK-12-Subject-Area/Speech-Therapy/Search:candy+land. I especially like this self esteem conversation prompts freebie: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Self-Esteem-Prompts-for-Candy-Land-1152578

Oooh… just saw this fun idea to combine Candy Land + the Name That Word Game. Love finding new ways to use materials that I already own! I got my copy of that game several years ago at a back-to-school sale at a teacher supply store but saw that it’s available on Amazon.

http://millionsoffingerprints.blogspot.com/2013/05/today-in-speech-therapywe-played-candy.html

Update 3/19/24: Fishdog.net released their new FREE Candy Cards app today: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/candy-cards/id6478815300, iOS Universal, iOS 12.0 or later + Mac on macOS 10.15 or later + Apple Vision on visionOS 1.0 or later.

It appears to match this version of the Candy Land board game: https://shop.hasbro.com/en-us/product/candy-land-game/C4E461C2-5056-9047-F5F7-F005920A3999

Check out the Ultimate App and Digital Resource Guide for SLPs: https://bit.ly/UltimateAppDigitalResourceGuideSLP & TherAPPy Tools: iPad Apps for Pediatric SLPs (Recorded Webinar & Handouts): https://bit.ly/TherAPPyWebinar

Looking for in-depth AAC feature matching resources? See this blog post: https://bit.ly/5aacFeatureMatchingResources. That post also includes videos comparing AAC apps on various devices on various platforms.

Looking for more AAC resources? Check out the Resource Links page my blog: https://omazingkidsllc.com/omazing-kids-aac-resource-links

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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4 great FREE iOS apps to foster creativity, language and storytelling… great tools to add to your SLP Toolbox

Posted on July 21, 2016 by OMazing Kids

4 great FREE iOS apps to foster creativity, language and storytelling… great tools to add to your SLP Toolbox:

Our Story for iPad by The Open University
https://appsto.re/us/UTVOO.i
LEGO® Movie Maker by LEGO Systems, Inc
https://appsto.re/us/Z8yWE.i
TeleStory by Launchpad Toys
https://appsto.re/us/kf5J2.i
Toontastic by Launchpad Toys
https://appsto.re/us/IeYhy.i

These apps can be easily customized to incorporate high interest areas of kids with Autism and other special needs and contain in-app voice and/or video recording to encourage verbalizations (most of my patients are VERY motivated to hear themselves on the iPad).
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All 4 of these apps were verified as being free in the USA App Store at the time of this post. But it is always wise to check app prices prior to downloading since app prices can change frequently with no notice. FYI… If you don’t have an iPad yet or don’t have one running the iOS required to download a particular app, you can download that app on iTunes on a computer and have it in your cloud to install later.
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There are several other apps to support sentence building and sentence building with symbol support. Here are screenshots of the apps that I have. Feel free to send me a message on my OMazing Kids Facebook page if you have questions about any of those apps. Most are not free but are well worth the cost. In addition to these apps, you can also use any robust AAC app to model sentence creation. Facebook Messaging for OMazing Kids: https://www.facebook.com/messages/17426452595789.

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If you are looking for a FREE “non-tech” way to encourage sentence building, check out this printable visual support for building sentences (need Boardmaker to open) http://fdlrsregion3literacyvisuals.wikispaces.com/Fokes+Sentence+Builder
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I have worked with several patients who engaged in almost constant verbal scripting. It is important to understand the function of the scripting. This video is enlightening:

as is the book “Life, Animated: A Story of Sidekicks, Heroes, and Autism“.
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In several cases I have been able to build upon these patient’s high interest areas to build new language scripts through the use of visual supports and apps for sentence building and then other apps to move on to storytelling. This has often resulted in more spontaneous use of functional language.
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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
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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 Reviews} Two Splingo apps: the newly updated Splingo’s Language Universe & the Receptive Language Assessment

Posted on June 24, 2016 by OMazing Kids

{App Reviews} Two Splingo apps: the newly updated Splingo’s Language Universe & the Receptive Language Assessment

My patients LOVE the Splingo character so I was thrilled to have the opportunity to add these two apps to my SLP toolbox!

Splingo’s Language Universe by The Speech And Language Store LLP
https://appsto.re/us/c0urB.i, $2.99

This affordable app has lots of great content to target several different language goals. I love the space theme and getting to build a rocket for Splingo!

Level 1 – contains instructions of 1 main word (ex: “find the apple”)
Level 2 – contains instructions of 2 main words (ex: “find the red apple”)
Level 3 – contains instructions of 3 main words (ex: “find the big red apple”)
Level 4 – contains instructions of 4 main words (ex: “give the big red apple to the boy”)

Includes nouns, verbs, prepositions & adjectives. The app is customizable so you can create a combination of levels and word types to a child’s developmental level. Includes US and UK voice options.

My wishes for a future app update would be a listing of the specific targets included in each area at each level and being able to pick specific targets. This would make it easier for SLPs to select the specific targets being addressed for a particular patient. It would be nice to have a “pro” version of this app that offered the options to set up multiple users and data collection. Their assessment app offers that but since it is for assessment purposes the child does not have the opportunity to try again if they miss an item.

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Receptive Language Assessment with Splingo by The Speech And Language Store LLP, https://appsto.re/us/JN3NF.i, $24.99

Assess a variety of word/sentence types at 4 increasing levels of complexity
Generate clear, professional reports at the touch of a button and print via email for intervention planning and inclusion in client’s records.
I like the option of being able to see the content included by e-mailing yourself a blank copy of the report & the detailed in-app instructions.
Create multiple client profiles including thumbnail photos
Select US or UK vocabulary options
Select US or UK audio options
Real voice (not synthesized)
Save an assessment part-way through and return at a later date
Select start and end point based on your clients language levels
Trial items in demo mode to allow the student/client to become familiar with the assessment format
Include/exclude reward system featuring our entertaining alien, Splingo
Include/exclude the written sentence to assist comprehension, or for use as a reading comprehension assessment

Includes a variety of word and sentence types at four different levels of complexity:

1 main word – object nouns, person nouns, location nouns, verbs, prepositions, size adjectives, color adjectives and attribute adjectives
2 main words – seven different sentence types e.g. object-person, adjective-object etc
3 main words – seven different sentence types, e.g. adjective-object-location, person-action-location etc
4 main words – seven different sentence types, e.g. object-preposition-adjective-location, person-action-preposition-location

My wish for a future app update would be an option for a PDF version of the report. It would also be fun to get to build Splingo’s rocket or something similar at the end of the assessment or when it is paused to resume later.
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Disclaimer: I received these apps via promo codes from the developer. No compensation was received to review them and my opinions are strictly my own.
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{Book Review} With Any Luck, I’ll Drive a Truck by David Friend

Posted on June 15, 2016 by OMazing Kids

{Book Review} With Any Luck, I’ll Drive a Truck by David Friend

Bulldozers and back-hoes, pavers and plows, trailers and tractors–the world is filled with so many types of trucks! Imagine the fun you could have if you could drive them all! And what if you could bring your best friends along with you? Hop along for a thrilling ride! This playful romp is sure to delight truck lovers everywhere!

Age Range: 3 – 5 years
Grade Level: Preschool – Kindergarten
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Nancy Paulsen Books – Penguin Young Readers Group (June 14, 2016)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0399169563
ISBN-13: 978-0399169564
Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 0.4 x 10.8 inches

Here’s what I love about this book

fun rhyming text in a large easy to read font
colorful detailed illustrations fill each 2-page spread. Every time I read this book, I find more fun things hidden in the details
full of lots of great vocabulary, descriptive words & actions
several opportunities for teaching prepositions (in, out, up, down, under, etc.)
includes lots of vehicles….. perfect for my patients who have a high interest in anything with a construction or transportation theme

I’m excited to have my latest “read-play-talk” activity ready for several patients in OMazing Kids speech therapy tomorrow built around this book! The text is very inviting so kids will be motivated to request “read” as I pause and wait expectantly after each two page spread. I will also be targeting key vocabulary via aided language stimulation in the Speak For Yourself AAC app (go, drive, dig, spread, help, cat, cow, and most of the vehicles: crane, fire truck, fork lift, garbage truck, bulldozer, moving van, tanker, snowplow, tractor, cement mixer, dump truck, excavator/backhoe, combine, wrecking ball, flatbed trailer & semi truck). Then we will play with a toy dump truck and a set of colored balls to fill the back and dump out (more great opportunities for requesting colors & the vocabulary “in”, “out” & “go”). And a couple of the patients will get to play a construction themed app on my other iPad or do a coloring page for a couple of minutes as a reinforcer at the end.

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Available for purchase:

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Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher for review. No compensation was received to review it and my opinions are strictly my own.
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OMazing Kids AAC Consulting

Angela Moorad, MS, CCC-SLP. Over 36 years experience in AAC. OMazing Kids AAC and app consulting. Creator of several AAC Feature Matching resources (https://omazingkidsllc.com/omazing-kids-aac-resource-links/). Includes info about unique features to support Gestalt Language Processors

Category Archives: SLP