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
This is a Communication Book that I created in the GoTalk Now app with 16 buttons with very short video clips based on “scripts” that my patients used to express emotions or thoughts.
I’ve been following discussions about how traditional AAC options may not meet the needs of Gestalt Language Processors and have been thinking about how features in current AAC apps could be modified or used in creative ways.
The video clips are saved on the Camera Roll on this iPad. I downloaded many of them from the Yarn website where you can find videos by searching a line (https://getyarn.io). If I couldn’t find exactly what I wanted on that website then I made a very short screencast recording from YouTube.
The Online Gallery has been glitchy today. I attempted to upload this to share several times. My guess is the company’s website/servers are likely overwhelmed by all the folks who purchased the app during the sale yesterday. I’ll try again in a few days. In the meantime, I uploaded it to Dropbox: https://bit.ly/GTNvideoExpressions
One of my favorite uses for the GoTalk Now app by Attainment Company, Inc. is to create boards to use as an adapted means of access to play music.
This video shows how to create a music player board (play/pause, next song, previous song), how to create a song board with buttons to play specific songs, and using the Expanded Quick Buttons as a means to comment or request and as a means to go between the two boards (instead of swiping or using paging buttons)
Reminder: The GoTalk Now app $10 sale is on Sunday, 10/10/21. Attainment Company, Inc. commented on this post on their Facebook page that the sale timeframe is based on the Central Time Zone.
I’m in that time zone and have noticed that prices often change at 10:00pm. You don’t want to miss this sale so be sure to purchase early in the day.
The sale only includes GoTalk Now (not the Plus version, not any in-app purchases, not any other apps) since they are celebrating the 10th anniversary of the original GoTalk Now app
The sale will be available worldwide (in every country that has an Apple App Store and has this app available)
The sale will also be available through the Apple VPP / Apple School Manager Program
AAC is as much an art as a science. There’s lots of trial and error. Lots of tweaking or combining things to meet unique needs. And user’s needs change over time. There’s no one “best” or “one size fits all” system, app or device. So it’s important to just dive in and start somewhere. Don’t let “perfect” be the enemy of good. It’s better to get something done imperfectly than to do nothing perfectly.
I love seeing videos and pictures of how others have customized AAC to meet unique needs. I think that’s why I’m active in so many different AAC related groups on Facebook. Those examples get my creativity flowing.
I don’t recall a time that I ever just used an AAC app or SGD just “as is”. I always personalized it.
I love to tinker with things and come up with creative solutions. I can tell you based on over 30 years of experience as an AAC SLP, there is no one “best”, “right” or “one size fits all” way. Not even for users with the same diagnoses. There are too many variables and above all the individual preferences of that user and their family.
Some older teens and young adults preferred to use more than one option and the freedom to pick what worked for them in that moment.
I also mash together options like using keyboard extension apps within AAC apps that allow access to those. That opens up a whole world of possibilities for adapted keyboards, calculator keyboards, whiteboard keyboards where the user can draw to communicate, etc.
Want to learn more about the features in AAC apps in order to know what the possibilities might be? Check out the Feature Matching Chart for the Top 11 robust iOS symbol-based AAC apps:
AAC Awareness Month starts tomorrow 😊 I started a new Facebook group called “GoTalk Now AAC App – Ideas and Sharing”.
The group has only been up for 18 hours and it’s been exciting to already have almost 300 folks join and share their ideas / creations.
See this post for a roundup of several posts that I’ve done over the years showing lots of creative ways to use this fabulous app:
I anticipate a ton of folks purchasing the full version of the GoTalk Now app during the unprecedented $10 sale on 10/10/21 and then needing a spot for ideas and support.
Since there isn’t an official group for this app, I decided to start one from my OMazing Kids AAC Consulting Facebook page.
I’m an SLP with over 30 years of experience who has used thousands of iOS apps on my iPads since 2012. Come learn from my extensive experience in using apps to target specific SLP goals.
This recorded webinar covers:
• General iPad tips
• iPad and iPad case recommendations
• How to improve iPad battery life
• Cautions about iOS updates and app updates
• Reasons to use apps in therapy
• Things to consider when using apps in therapy
• Guided Access & Screen Time
• Organizing apps
• How to find great apps
• Great free PDF viewer app
• What to look for in well-designed apps
• AAC resources
• Combining apps with toys, books, games & traditional SLP materials
• Suggested apps for over 50 SLP goal areas / needs with links to 29 app demo videos
Expected Learner Outcomes:
1. List at least three characteristics of high quality apps for use in therapy.
2. Select apps based on the unique needs of individual patients / students.
3. Use Guided Access & Screen Time to lock areas within apps, prevent exiting an app, prevent accessing specific apps, etc..
Expected Takeaways:
1. Access a current list of apps for SLPs sorted by goal areas.
2. Identify at least 5 apps to use with current patients / students on their caseload.
3. Know how to incorporate apps with traditional SLP materials, games, toys & books.
What’s included with the purchase of this product:
• Recorded Webinar Video (1 hour, 9 minutes), viewable on the unlisted YouTube link provided in the Handout PDF
• Handouts (87 page PDF): 1 slide per page, link to recorded webinar video, links to 29 app demo videos
If you want links to be clickable, please view the PDF in the free Xodo app (https://www.xodo.com), Books app or other PDF viewer.
Wow 🤩 Check out all the AAC app sales coming up. Thanks to Lauren S. Enders, MA, CCC – SLP for having it all in one graphic. Be sure to mark your calendars. Some of the sales are very short. In particular the one for GoTalk Now is just a one day sale. What a deal for only $10 (or less for those who purchase apps in bulk).
New to AAC app sales?
Have your iPad ready to install apps. Some of these apps are “iPad only” which means you cannot purchase them via an iPhone. Make sure you have plenty of memory available on that iPad.
Look closely at all the info on Lauren’s post.
Mark your calendar and when the sale begins for the app that you want head over to the Apple App Store to check the price.
Make sure the sale price shows up before you purchase it. Prices may change at different times depending on your time zone.
Don’t wait until the end of a sale timeframe to get the app that you want. You don’t want to miss out.
Some of the deals are only available through the app developer. See Lauren’s graphic for all of those details.
Once a sale starts there’s nothing you have to do to get that price. That sale price will be what shows up in the App Store.
(Note: Prices vary outside of the USA based on the exchange rate)
Here are the answers to questions about the upcoming GoTalk Now app sale that I received directly from my contact at Attainment Company, Inc.:
Yes the sale price will be available through the Apple VPP program.
Yes the sale price will be available worldwide for GoTalk NOW on 10/10/21.
No other versions or in-app purchases are part of the sale. The sale is specifically for GoTalk NOW as we are celebrating it’s ten year anniversary. ——————————————————- Hope this helps 😊 Be sure to set your reminders / write your post-it notes. The sale is only for 1 day (10/10/21). Also join the GoTalk Now AAC App – Ideas and Sharing group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/355075249651423/?ref=share
OMazing Kids AAC Consulting 