Angela Moorad, MS, CCC-SLP. Over 33 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
Looking for other 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.
Image ID: Screenshot of the cover image for this resource in my TPT (Teachers Pay Teachers) Store. Includes the icon for each app in the Apple App Store, the OMazing Kids logo and logos for TPT and Ko-fi. Date updated: 5/20/23.
For those asking about the the new Proloquo + Proloquo Coach app:
I have some info about them in this resource in the column about Proloquo2Go. I agree that Proloquo + Proloquo Coach is a great app but is missing some features to make it officially into the top 12. I was part of beta testing this app and have continued to provide feedback to AssistiveWare. Top of my list is the Proloquo app needs to allow editing of existing buttons to meet the cultural and religious identity of that individual. There have been a couple of discussions in AssistiveWare’s Proloquo and Proloquo Coach Community Facebook group about the need to allow flexibility in editing existing buttons. There’s also a need for being able to use recorded speech to get proper pronunciation of some names.https://www.facebook.com/groups/381836780082796/?ref=share&mibextid=S66gvF.
Looking for other 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.
Basic Feature Chart for Affordable and Free AAC apps & AAC-Related Apps (iOS, Android Google Play, Amazon Fire, Windows + a few Web-Based options): https://bit.ly/BasicAffordableAACchart
The perfect companion to supplement these in-depth resources are the “AAC Apps and Features At-a-Glance (Single Page Handouts)”: https://bit.ly/AAC-At-a-Glance
Looking for other 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.
All six of these resources were updated on 3/30/23 to be more age-neutral & to add info about new features. Those who have previously purchased them on TPT can download the most current version for no additional cost:
Looking for other 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.
Resource Update: The Feature Matching Chart for the Top 12 iOS Symbol Based AAC Apps & the supplemental handout about unique features for Gestalt Language Processors have both been updated. Those who have previously purchased it on TPT can download the newest version for no additional cost: https://bit.ly/SymbolBasedAACapps. Ko-fi subscribers will be able to access a copy on the pinned resource post: https://ko-fi.com/Post/Links-to-posts-about-most-current-feature-matching-F1F5C9DMD later today.
Did you know that PRC-Saltillo added a new “Open Website” button action? I immediately checked it out as a way to finally be able to open a specific YouTube video in LAMP Words for Life. It works but isn’t ideal. Want to learn a secret hack to remove the extraneous clutter and remove the “Share” icon? I’ve shared all the details in this latest update for the Feature Matching Chart for the Top 12 Robust iOS Symbol-Based AAC Apps: https://bit.ly/SymbolBasedAACapps. I added an exclusive unlisted YouTube video showing how to do this that’s only accessible to those who have this resource. Why this might be helpful? Many Gestalt Language Processors are drawn to particular segments of videos and may replay them over and over. These may be used as communication but it often takes some detective work to figure out the meaning for that individual. These videos may also play a part in self-regulation. Individuals with some speech may recite these lines in a scripted way. Our Gestalt Language Processors who use AAC deserve the opportunity to do this. Adding video clips for gestalts that are uniquely meaningful to that individual may be an instant “spark” for increased interest in using their AAC.
Looking for other 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.
New resource: Feature Matching Chart for Pragmatic Vocabulary Organization AAC Apps
Watch the TPT preview video where I’m viewing the PDF on my iPad in the free Xodo app. You’ll get a feel for how much info will be at your fingertips in this chart.
Watch the Intro video. It provides info about the intent of this resource:
This feature matching resource includes information about the following options:
• CoughDrop – Sequoia board set – multi platform
• PODD for Grid for iPad
• simPODD – iPad
• TD Snap PODD – iPad
• Voco Chat in Grid for iPad
• PODD for Grid 3 – Windows
• PODD for Mind Express 5 – Windows
• TD Snap PODD – Windows
• Voco Chat in Grid 3 – Windows
There are 122 rows in the chart. But it’s super easy to use the “search” option to find what you want quickly.
This resource includes free access to over 3 hours of unlisted YouTube videos where I highlight some of the most unique features in each option and discuss the flexibility in customization, options for alternative access, etc…
Why this might be helpful to you is I have done all the heavy lifting of digging through websites and deep into app settings, testing everything out extensively and then distilling all that info into one PDF with all of the features that you’d need to compare all of these options.
This is a VERY deep dive beyond just vocabulary organization… it’s also an in depth look at the flexibility or limitations of the app platforms, customization and alternative access options plus includes detailed info about three different Bluetooth switch interfaces (Blue2, iSwitch & Cosmo).
You can search to find exactly what you’re looking for and can copy wording from this chart and paste it into your AAC reports to save time.
** All info is comprehensive, 100% up to date and verified by app developers **
I will be maintaining and updating this chart to help meet the need for current and comprehensive info to be used in feature matching.
Includes info about features in these particular apps that may be helpful as folks are exploring ways to modify AAC for Gestalt Language Processors.
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.
The Feature Matching Chart for the Top 12 Robust iOS Symbol-Based AAC Apps has been updated. Includes info about features in the new Motor Plan pagesets in TD Snap, info about sign language symbols available in apps, info about using Slide Over in apps that don’t fully support Split Screen/Split View, and several new features added in apps since the last update. Be sure to download a fresh copy for the most current info.
Those who have previously purchased it on TPT can download the most current version for no additional cost: https://bit.ly/SymbolBasedAACapps.
This video shows two phonics sounds keyboards that I added to my Motor Plan 66 pageset in the TD Snap AAC app:
As you’ll see in my video, the Motor Plan 66 pageset already includes a regular QWERTY style keyboard where you can hear letter names as you type. Toggle that on under Edit – User – Preferences – Speak Characters. If you don’t want letters spoken as you type that’s where you can toggle that off.
Note: I am well aware that some folks have a very rigid “anti-phonics keyboard” stance. If this is you then don’t add this to your pageset and scroll on by. I am well aware that there are lots of other strategies needed to teach literacy skills to individuals with complex communication needs. If you need more info about that I suggest reading “Comprehensive Literacy for All” and joining the “Comprehensive Literacy for All BookStudy” group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/cl4all. I am sharing these Phonics keyboards as a tool since I personally had LOTS of students/patients/clients who had a high interest in letters, letter names, letter sounds, playing with rhyming, etc. Many of them were likely hyperlexic. I also had several who were Autistic and had a passion for anything letter related. Some were likely Gestalt Language Processors and seemed to really enjoy the playing with letter sounds related to their gestalts/scripts. Having this type of keyboard in an app resonated with them and sparked interest in using their AAC system. Providing this type of option also gave school staff something that helped them include these students in phonics activities and sparked them becoming more comfortable using an AAC app. A win-win in my book. So now that the “why” is made clear onto the “how”…
I’m on my iPad in the video but also have this synced with this app on my Windows tablet. I show how to find these on Pageset Central, where I linked mine in the TD Snap Motor Plan 66 Dashboard area, how to import a page to link it to a button, etc… I used Emily Miller’s Jolly Phonics Keyboard (https://www.mytobiidynavox.com/psc/snapcorefirst/139396) as a starting point, edited to add more and did additional voice recordings.
I uploaded a text only version & a version that includes the Jolly Phonics pictures (but could easily be edited to use pictures associated with whatever phonics program your school uses).
These are both FREE downloads via Pageset Central on MyTobiiDynavox:
text only version (can easily edit to change the button colors, font color, font size & style of font)
version with Jolly Phonics pictures (can easily edit to change the pictures)
• Version with Jolly Phonics pictures:https://www.mytobiidynavox.com/psc/snapcorefirst/296365 (note: I show in the video how you can delete those pictures and add you own pics to correspond with whatever phonics program is being used. Some kids liked having phonics pictures. Some didn’t. Choose the option that resonates with them)
How to find and add the new USA Motor Plan Pagesets in TD Snap. These are a new option in addition to the other pagesets (not replacing anything). These are included with TD Snap (no additional cost). Make sure you have updated TD Snap to version 1.25. These are currently available for USA English & UK English. They indicated that they are working on prioritizing development for other languages and a Spanish/English bilingual version but no specific details are known yet on the timeframes.
Tobii Dynavox has been offering free live webinars specifically about this new pageset option. See their website for more info: https://us.tobiidynavox.com/blogs/live-training. During the one that I attended on Friday (1/27/23) they mentioned that the recording of it would be uploaded to their Learning Hub. I’ll add the link here when it’s available: <link to be added>
My TD Snap related resources:
TD Snap: a visual guide to getting started: https://bit.ly/3qRuXdQ (I’ll be updating this soon to add info about the new Motor Plan pageset options)
Feature Matching Chart for Visual Scene and Video Visual Scene Display AAC Apps:https://bit.ly/AACvsd. More info: https://bit.ly/VSDaacBlogPost. This resource is also very comprehensive & updated as needed.
How to Get Access to the Top 12 iOS Symbol-Based AAC Apps (this FREE handout is for SLPs, SLTs, AT specialists & other AAC professionals): https://bit.ly/SLPsSLTsAccessToAACapps
OMazing Kids AAC Consulting 