Angela Moorad, MS, CCC-SLP. Over 30 years experience in AAC. OMazing Kids AAC and app consulting. Creator of 5 AAC Feature Matching resources (https://bit.ly/5aacFeatureMatchingResources). Includes info about unique features to support Gestalt Language Processors
Updated resource: Basic Feature Chart for Affordable and Free AAC apps & AAC-Related Apps (iOS, Android Google Play, Amazon Fire, Windows + a few Web-Based options). Now also includes info about apps available for Chromebook.
Looking for in-depth up to date info to compare features in AAC apps for iOS, Android, Amazon Fire and Windows? Check out my 5 AAC Feature Matching resources:https://bit.ly/5aacFeatureMatchingResources
Updated resource: Basic Feature Chart for Affordable and Free AAC apps & AAC-Related Apps (iOS, Android Google Play, Amazon Fire, Windows + a few Web-Based options).
This resource has been updated. The PAROL+ app was removed since it has totally disappeared from the App Store. The HandySpeech app was added in its place. I get pretty frequent requests for info about handwriting-to-text-to-speech AAC so it made sense to add this app. The SayIt! Easy AAC app changed to a “freenium” pricing model. So if you already had this app be sure to tap “Restore Purchases” to get full access without having to pay a subscription or be charged for the much higher app price.
The Feature Matching Chart for the Top 12 Robust iOS Symbol-Based AAC Apps has been updated to add new rows related to the new iOS 16/iPadOS 16 child and adult voices, use of Google Maps to communicate, apps that can be used in Split View, updated features in these apps over the past month, etc…
Jennifer from N of 1 recently shared a story in a Facebook group about how a child used Google Maps to communicate. Mind blown 🤯 I had several students/patients/clients who LOVED maps, addresses, countries and flags. At the time I knew that those served a purpose for self-regulation and pleasure. It makes my heart sad though to think that I may have missed communication via what they were looking up on Google Maps or Google Earth. There are definitely times I wish I had a time portal to go back with knowledge that I have now.
After sharing this on my OMazing Kids AAC Consulting Facebook page and subsequent shares on other pages and groups, I’ve seen LOTS of parents & SLPs share stories about their kids doing this to communicate very specific things. Totally amazing!
This got me digging through all of my AAC apps to see which ones either have a button action or opening a website URL to allow Google Maps to be opened within the app and/or that app supports use of Split View or Slide Over to allow this. If you have a specific model of iPad Pro or iPad Air with M1 chip you might also be able to use othermultitasking options in Stage Manager (my iPad Pro 9.7” is still on iOS 10.3 so that’s too old for the most current versions of most AAC apps or to use Stage Manager)
CoughDrop (in the app: via URL; used in Safari browser: could also use Split Screen)
Dialogue AAC (specific button action for this or via Split Screen)
GoTalk Now (via URL)
LAMP Words for Life (specific button action for this)
Niki Talk 2 Pro (via URL)
Proloquo2Go (via Split Screen)
Speech Assistant AAC (via Split Screen)
TouchChat with WordPower (specific button action for this or via Split Screen)
Etc…
Here are screenshots showing the two different ways to do this in TouchChat with WordPower:
TouchChat with WordPower (WP60 Basic) in Split View with Google MapsTouchChat with WordPower (WP60 Basic) where I added a button for Google Maps under Places and used the specific button action to open the Google Maps app.Speech Assistant AAC in Split View with Google Maps
The easiest option was Split Screen and it allows Google Maps and the AAC app to be on the screen at the same time but only a few AAC apps support use of Split Screen. Split Screen will alter the size of the buttons in that AAC app so it might be tricky when using large grid sizes.
The second easiest option was the specific button action within the three AAC apps by PRC-Saltillo.
Apps that allow you to program a button to open a website URL were a bit finicky / tricky to get it to work. I’ll be adding tips in the feature matching resources.
Another alternative is to use a second iPad or tablet or laptop with Google Maps / Google Earth that can be viewed alongside their AAC device or iPad or tablet being used for AAC.
In-depth details about this will be coming soon. I’m working on this month’s update for my AAC feature matching resources and am adding that info in two new rows. So be watching for it in a few days.
Important Notes:
I’m exploring these as ways to supplement (not replace) how an individual is already using Google Maps. It’s likely that a Gestalt Language Processor already has a well established “gestalt” for how they like to do that but it’s likely that adding this to their AAC system might be something that would spark interest and resonate with them.
I’d only explore this for individuals who have an interest in this. There is no “one size fits all” to anything about AAC. I’m NOT suggesting that we need to add access to Google Maps for every AAC user or even for every GLP who uses AAC.
Guided Access will likely block these methods of using more than one app on an iPad.
AAC Feature Matching Resource Bundle (includes all three, save 10%): https://bit.ly/aacFeatureMatchingBundle. If you are looking to purchase resources for several staff / team members, take a look at the Multiple Licenses discount (saves 20%)
New Resource: Feature Matching Chart for Robust Android AAC Apps (Google Play & Amazon Fire).
This resource includes an in-depth comparison of features & support resources across 5 robust Android AAC apps:
• Avaz AAC
• CoreVoice
• CoughDrop
• Predictable
• Speech Assistant AAC
(** Note: The info about Predictable is currently basic. In-depth info about features in that app will be added to this resource in a free update after the anticipated update for the Android version is released in the Google Play App Store **)
There are lots of simple affordable and free AAC apps available for Android and Amazon Fire tablets. See this resource for basic info about those apps: https://bit.ly/BasicAffordableAACchart
Looking for info about other AAC apps? Check out these resources: