Updated Feature Matching Chart for the Top 11 Robust iOS Symbol-Based AAC Apps (12-4-21)

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See this post for the newest update: https://omazingkidsllc.com/2022/01/29/updated-expanded-feature-matching-chart-for-the-top-12-robust-ios-symbol-based-aac-apps/

This month’s update for the Feature Matching Chart for the top 11 robust iOS symbol-based AAC apps has been uploaded on Teachers Pay Teachers: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Feature-Matching-Chart-for-the-Top-11-Robust-iOS-Symbol-Based-AAC-Apps-6867853.

Ko-Fi subscribers can access it on today’s post 12-4-21: https://ko-fi.com/post/Updated-AAC-Feature-Matching-Chart-12-4-21-P5P379G60

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

New Resource: AAC – a quick introduction (+ a few case studies and lots of links to resources) (Recorded Video Webinar & Handouts)

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Come learn from my over 30 years of experience working as an AAC SLP with kids, teens and young adults (birth to 21 years of age) in a variety of settings.

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/AAC-a-quick-introduction-case-studies-resources-Webinar-and-Handouts-7487292

This recorded webinar and handouts cover:

• 7 case studies of AAC users ranging from 2 1/2 years to 21 years of age

• Presuming potential (what that means and what it doesn’t mean)

• No prerequisites for AAC and what we can do instead

• Honoring multimodal communication

• Involving the family and potential AAC user in decisions and other ways to foster ownership of AAC

• Focusing on removing barriers to accessing AAC

• Types of AAC

• A balance of core & fringe vocabulary

• Reasons we communicate

• What makes AAC “robust”

• Specialized features in AAC (visual scenes, use of videos for communication, using recorded speech)

• Brief info about Gestalt Language Processors & AAC

• The power of forming connections and following the child’s lead

• Embracing high interest areas

• Fun apps to practice “targeted touch”

• Where do I start?

• Gathering information

• Observations during play

• Building an AAC toolbox

• Printing communication boards and books

• Free and affordable resources for symbols

• Don’t let “perfect” become the enemy of “good”… diving on in to try AAC

• How to know what to try

• Feature matching (why, how, and what it is not)

• Narrowing down the choices

• Practical tips for how to build your AAC skills

• How to learn about features in AAC apps

• Using Guided Access + Screen Time in a mindful way

• AAC funding

• Writing AAC goals

• AAC Intervention (including neurodiversity-affirming approaches)

• Path to autonomous communication

• Prompts, cues and cautions

• iPad tips and troubleshooting

• Tons of linked resources for learning more about AAC, AAC assessment, the SETT process, AAC assessment tools, switch scanning, eye gaze, complex needs, understanding “stimming” and AAC, etc…

What’s included with the purchase of this resource:

• Recorded Webinar Video (1 hour, 32 minutes), viewable on the unlisted YouTube link provided in the Handout PDF

• Handouts (79 page PDF): 1 slide per page

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

TD Snap: a visual guide to getting started (updated 3/21/23) – now includes AAC flipbook

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TD Snap: a visual guide to getting started is now available for purchase on my OMazing Kids AAC Consulting TPT Store: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/TD-Snap-a-visual-guide-to-getting-started-7445593.

This resource has a 78 page PDF, access to a 35 minute unlisted YouTube video.

There is one topic per page with visuals.

This guide walks you through the initial set up and customization process for the TD Snap AAC app with a focus on the Core First pageset being used via direct access touch with a finger by kids, teens or young adults on an iPad. It has all kinds of information to get you going, ideas to foster ownership, the different versions of the app and types of pagesets, information about choosing a grid size, how to set it up, how to edit, ideas for customization, time stamped links to specific sections within helpful webinars, finding user groups, manuals and other resources, info about how SLPs can get free access and more… See the description on TPT for more info.

TPT Preview Video:

Updated 3/21/23: It’s now a 86 page PDF & 48 minute video. Includes info about the new Motor Plan pagesets & bonus content (a 10 page AAC flipbook designed for Gestalt Language Processors in Stage 1 – Stage 2 of the Natural Language Acquisition (NLA) process.

Have a question? The best way to reach me is via Facebook messaging on my OMazing Kids page: https://www.facebook.com/OMazingKidsAAC/

Angela Moorad, MS, CCC-SLP, Founder of OMazing Kids, LLC, OMazing Kids AAC Consulting

TD Snap AAC App: Snap Core First Pageset Customizations

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Examples of several customizations that I made in the Core First Pageset within the TD Snap AAC app (https://apps.apple.com/us/app/td-snap-aac/id1257753762)

Video:

Have a question? The best way to reach me is via Facebook messaging on my OMazing Kids page: https://www.facebook.com/OMazingKidsAAC/

Angela Moorad, MS, CCC-SLP, Founder of OMazing Kids, LLC, OMazing Kids AAC Consulting

Free Xodo PDF Reader app & Free PDF Gear app (updated 10/12/25)

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The FREE Xodo app is my favorite PDF reader. The search feature in it is fabulous. It can be used on any platform and computers. I just noticed that their former website (http://www.xodo.com) redirects to a new website. Go to this section to use it to view PDFs in a web browser: https://pdf.online/pdf-viewer.

They also added a link to this: https://www.xodo.com/app/#/. And an alternative viewer: https://www.xodo.com/app-old/#/

If you have any issues try a different web browser.

Important info for those wanting to view the Feature Matching Chart PDF on a Mac computer: Save the PDF to your computer and then open the PDF online in Xodo: https://www.xodo.com/app/#/ or https://www.xodo.com/app-old/#/

Also available as a free app:

• iOS app: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/pdf-reader-annotator-by-xodo/id805075929.

• Android app: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.xodo.pdf.reader.

• Windows app: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/p/pdf-reader-view-edit-annotate-by-xodo/9wzdncrdjxp4?activetab=pivot:overviewtab

Update 10/12/25: If you are new to using Xodo it may no longer be free. I’m still able to use it for free but a couple of folks have reported it no longer being free.

Just found this FREE alternative: PDF Gear:

iOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/pdf-gear-pdf-editor-reader/id6465897558

Mac version: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/pdfgear-pdf-editor-reader/id6469021132?mt=12

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.pdfeditor.pdfeditorandriod&utm_source=web

Windows download and more info: https://www.pdfgear.com

Have a question? The best way to reach me is via Facebook messaging 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

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 App – 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

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

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See this post for the newest update. A 12th app has been added: https://omazingkidsllc.com/2022/01/29/updated-expanded-feature-matching-chart-for-the-top-12-robust-ios-symbol-based-aac-apps/

Updated Feature Matching Chart for the Top 11 iOS Symbol-Based AAC Apps (11/6/21). There is a designation on rows for features that may be helpful as folks are exploring ways to modify AAC for Gestalt Language Processors. The quickest way to find those is to view the PDF in the free Xodo PDF viewer (http://www.xodo.com…. Go to this on their new website: https://pdf.online/pdf-viewer) and then search “gestalt”.

The most update has been uploaded to TPT: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Feature-Matching-Chart-for-the-Top-11-Robust-iOS-Symbol-Based-AAC-Apps-6867853

Ko-fi subscribers can get the update at: https://ko-fi.com/post/AAC-Feature-Matching-Chart-updated-11-6-21-A0A26VTUY (*** Be sure to go out to a full browser after tapping on the link here. See this video: https://youtube.com/shorts/vnd1BfG8-n0?feature=share)

Have a question? The best way to reach me is via Facebook messaging 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

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 App – 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

GoTalk Now: a visual guide to getting started (+ more)

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This resource has a 60 page PDF, access to several unlisted YouTube videos, exclusive Share Codes that will allow you to download 4 premade items from my private area on the Online Gallery, etc …

*** There is one topic per page with visuals ***

It is perfect for those who are brand new to the app and want screenshots for every step in the initial set up and also has more in-depth info for those who want to see examples of ways to use the app, info about switch scanning access, and more…

This AAC app has several features that could be helpful for Gestalt Language Processors.

Want more specific details about this product? See the full description on TPT: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/GoTalk-Now-a-visual-guide-to-getting-started-more-7408544

Preview video:

GoTalk Now / GoTalk Now Plus is included in the Feature Matching Chart for the Top 11 Robust iOS Symbol-Based AAC Apps: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Feature-Matching-Chart-for-the-Top-11-Robust-iOS-Symbol-Based-AAC-Apps-6867853

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

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 App – 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

I’m on the Innovative AAC Solutions Podcast – AAC features, feature matching and fostering ownership of AAC (Season 2, episode 5)

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It was so much fun chatting about AAC features, feature matching and fostering ownership of AAC with Laura Hayes at Innovative AAC Solutions. Check it out in Season 2; Episode 5 of the Innovative AAC Solutions podcast: https://sites.google.com/ssdmo.org/aac-site/check-it-out/ssd-aac-podcast?authuser=0

The podcast video is available there on their site or out on YouTube where it has time stamped sections and links to the resources (if viewing on a computer or the YouTube app… I have YouTube on my Roku TV and can’t see those type of details there): https://youtu.be/v4-xspAS9m4

My segment of the podcast can also be viewed on my YouTube channel with time stamped sections:

07:35 – Feature Matching
25:54 – Fostering Ownership in AAC

Here is the Fostering AAC Ownership + AAC tags resource that I mentioned: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Fostering-AAC-Ownership-AAC-tags-6990346

And in an audio-only format:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1J613VYYtiHgs_bb6Q4lujEVASnzP2FoM/view

Check out the episode notes for links to resources.

The pizza activity looks like a lot of fun! If you want more things to go with that theme, see this post here on my blog: https://omazingkidsllc.com/2011/07/28/pete’s-a-pizza-party-–-an-omazing-kids-yoga-lesson-plan-based-on-the-story-“pete’s-a-pizza”-by-william-steig/

Update 7/19/22: It is also on their school system’s YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/haGHc5jMlt0?t=524

Be sure to follow both of them on social media:

• Laura Hayes: https://instagram.com/aac_innovations

• Cheryl Livingston: https://instagram.com/cheryllivingstonaacsupport

Cheryl also has a group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/933873107089870

Here’s the link to the Feature Matching Chart for the Top 11 Robust iOS Symbol-Based AAC Apps: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Feature-Matching-Chart-for-the-Top-11-Robust-iOS-Symbol-Based-AAC-Apps-6867853

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

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 App – 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

Creating a “text only” set up for kids in symbol-based AAC apps (updated 11/27/23)

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I’ve seen several posts recently from pediatric SLPs looking for text-based AAC options for pretty young children. I had several patients like that on my caseload who preferred not to have symbols but the true text-based AAC apps didn’t have the vocabulary or age-appropriate voices that they needed.

This video shows how you can adjust the settings in 4 symbol-based AAC apps to turn them into a text-based set up. There are time stamps so you can jump to each app.

Tip: Just to be safe sure to backup your vocab file / communication book / board set / pageset BEFORE toggling off the symbols. That way you have an easy way to go back if they don’t like it or something glitches.

0:00 Intro
0:45 – Proloquo2Go
1:21 – TouchChat with WordPower
1:52 – CoughDrop
2:36 – TD Snap

The pros to doing this are having access to the age-appropriate vocabulary and age-appropriate voices.

All 4 of these apps have a keyboard area and 3 of them can access the iOS keyboard.

**** Important TouchChat Info (4/29/22): I just encountered a glitch with the TouchChat with WordPower app (version 2.36.0). I had toggled off “Show Icons” to demo a text only setup. When I tried to toggle back on the icons that toggle button would not work. I tried a Forced Restart but it didn’t resolve the issue. So I backed up all of my customized Vocab Files, deleted the app, reinstalled the app and imported all of my Vocab Files. I’ll be including this caution when folks ask me about using a text-only setup in this app until the app developer fixes the glitch.

Update about the TouchChat glitch (5/2/22): I heard back from TouchChat Support and they asked for a picture of all of my settings in the app since they hadn’t been able to replicate the issue. I had already deleted and reinstalled the TouchChat with WordPower app on my iPad. So I didn’t have any way to know what the combination of settings were that caused it or if it was an odd glitch that might have happened when I downloaded the most recent app update. Good news though… I just tried the Hide All Icons and now I’m not having the glitch anymore. So deleting and reinstalling the app seems to have resolved the issue.

Update 4/25/22: There’s a setting in GoTalk Now to toggle on “Hide All Images” that creates a text only setup. The process can take awhile on larger Communication Books with numerous pages and larger grid sizes.

Update 11/27/23:

Weave Chat AAC is a totally free AAC app that recently added a setting to toggle off symbols to create a text-based option. They offer their app for iOS, Android and Amazon Fire. For in-depth info about the features see my Feature Matching Chart for Robust Android AAC Apps (Google Play & Amazon Fire): https://bit.ly/RobustAndroidAACappChart.

Website: https://www.weavechat.com

Of course you could also explore apps specifically designed for text-based AAC. I have several text-based AAC apps installed on my iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet, Amazon Fire tablet, Windows tablet and Chromebook. See my feature matching resources for details.

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 here on 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

• 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

Setting up Blue2 switch for GoTalk Now app

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A quick look at setting up the Blue2 Bluetooth switch for use in GoTalk Now.

The switch interface shown in this video: https://www.ablenetinc.com/blue2-bluetooth-switch/

Be sure to join the GoTalk Now AAC App – Ideas and Sharing Facebook group: https://bit.ly/GoTalkNowAACappGroup

Find other blog posts related to GoTalk Now: https://omazingkidsllc.com/?s=GoTalk&submit=Search

Want in-depth info about the GoTalk Now AAC app and other robust apps? See this AAC feature matching resource: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Feature-Matching-Chart-for-the-Top-11-Robust-iOS-Symbol-Based-AAC-Apps-6867853

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

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 App – 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