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
Weave Chat AAC is a totally FREE robust AAC app available for iOS, Android and Amazon Fire: https://www.weavechat.com
It relies solely on system voices.
Text to speech voice options vary greatly across these platforms.
This free handout shows voice availability for each language across the platforms.
Weave Chat AAC is rapidly adding more languages. These were the ones available as of 10/26/24. I will be updating this chart as they add more languages.
Looking for in-depth AAC feature matching resources? See this blog post: https://bit.ly/5aacFeatureMatchingResources. That post also includes videos comparing the best AAC apps on various devices on various platforms.
Check out this episode on the Autism Little Learners podcast where we chat about AAC and I demo how to set up and use a variety of AAC apps in Split View alongside other apps and how that can spark interest in using AAC.
Proloquo4Text can but that causes the two side Quick Block areas to be hidden. Have to tap the small downward facing arrow to toggle between those areas.
Choiceworks alongside LAMP Words for Life in Split View on my iPad
Choiceworks also now fully supports Split View. The app developer has indicated that will also be coming soon for their Choiceworks Calendar app.
Notes:
Split View cannot be used in Guided Access since that locks the iPad into a single app.
You can try Assistive Access to offer a secure way to use more than one app on an iPad but the apps aren’t shown side by side and there’s a large “back” button that takes up room at the bottom of the screen. That causes the apps to shown in reduced size at the top of the screen.
Looking for in-depth AAC feature matching resources? See this blog post: https://bit.ly/5aacFeatureMatchingResources. That post also includes videos comparing the best AAC apps on various devices on various platforms.
I was sad to see the AppSliced website close down but then relieved to find the same type of info available on AppRaven. It’s a free app and the basic features are free. It’s a good way to see pricing history on apps and a bit of other info. I also like the option to create collections.
I’ll update this post as I create other collections.
Looking in-depth AAC feature matching resources? See this blog post: https://bit.ly/5aacFeatureMatchingResources. That post also includes videos comparing the best AAC apps on various devices on various platforms.
Have you ever considered using AAC on an Apple Watch but weren’t sure about the options or how to set it up? I’ve made it simple.
Check out my brand new resource “Feature Matching Basics & Tips: AAC Apps for the Apple Watch”: https://bit.ly/AppleWatchAAC.
This resource contains a 6 page PDF handout & exclusive access to three unlisted YouTube videos with easy to understand information about :
An overview of things to consider when deciding to use AAC apps on an Apple Watch
How to pair the Apple Watch with a wearable Bluetooth speaker (simple demo video)
How to use the Apple Watch app on a paired iPhone to set up apps on the Apple Watch
How to find info about setting up an Apple Watch for a family member who doesn’t have their own iPhone, tech safety considerations & parental controls
Two recommended watch face options well-suited for AAC users (using one app or using multiple apps)
Apple Watch face “Complications” made simple: What these are on an Apple Watch and how to set them up (simple tutorial video)
Basic info about features of 33 apps and features available for the Apple Watch (8 apps and a feature specifically designed for AAC + 25 AAC-related apps and features that can be used to communicate in a variety of creative ways… including some that allow you to play short video and audio clips. Particularly helpful for Gestalt Language Processors)
✅ Designation of particularly helpful apps as “top picks”
🔎 Designation of AAC apps that are robust with many more features when used on an iPhone or iPad
Exclusive access to an unlisted YouTube video where I demo these “top picks” and show what the robust apps look like on an Apple Watch
9 other apps that I explored and reasons that I ruled those out
Exclusive access to those three unlisted YouTube videos (2:30 min, 3:18 min, 48:27 min – with time stamped chapters to quickly jump to info)
The PDF handout is formatted to be printed or viewed on a PDF reader or in the Apple Books app where you can tap on blue underlined text that links directly to additional or related information.
The 48:27 demo video of the “top picks” and robust AAC apps has time-stamped chapters to help you quickly jump to the info about a particular app.
See my list on AppRaven: AAC and AAC related apps for Apple Watch
Looking for other in-depth AAC feature matching resources? See this blog post: https://bit.ly/5aacFeatureMatchingResources. That post also includes videos comparing the best AAC apps on various devices on various platforms.
Updated Resource 8/5/24: AAC Apps and Features At-a-Glance (Single Page Handouts):https://bit.ly/AAC-At-a-Glance. This 90 page PDF resource has been updated to add Weave Chat AAC, to reflect new features in apps and to update info about pricing. See the new Table of Contents: https://bit.ly/-TOC-AACAppsandFeaturesAt-a-Glance. Those who have previously purchased it on TPT can download the most current version for no additional cost: 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 the best AAC apps on various devices on various platforms.
Two years ago I purchased an Amazon Fire HD 8 tablet, 8″ HD display, 32GB (2020 release) to see how well it might work for AAC. It was “okay” for basic text-based AAC but sometimes lagged when using symbol-based AAC or visual scenes. Likely due to the processor not being fast enough.
Amazon had it on sale for $84.99 (regular price $179.99). I got a total of $42.00 in incentives (20% off my new tablet = $17 + $25 gift card). A couple of days later I paid $15 to remove the ads. So I only ended up paying $57.99 for this brand new tablet with double the memory, a much better processor and larger screen.
Note: I purposefully did NOT buy an Amazon Fire tablet designed for kids that includes a case because it comes preloaded with lots of content that I don’t want and might not have had the option to uninstall. I can see the appeal of their Amazon Kids warranty but I’m very careful with my tech, always have it in a protective case and have never had any issues.
I bought this case with a rotating ring stand for $14.99 on Amazon. I need cases that can be used in both Landscape and Portrait orientation. This case is similar to a Pepkoo but the foam isn’t quite as thick and the ring stand doesn’t feel quite as durable. I’ll update this post if I have any issues with durability.
I sent a message to Pepkoo on their Amazon store to specifically ask whether or not they have any plans to eventually offer their thick foam kids case for this specific model of Amazon Fire tablet and/or an iPad 10th gen.
The blue case on the left is on my Amazon Fire HD 10. The case on the right is a Pepkoo case on my iPad 9th gen.
See my video comparing these two cases:
A sound and size comparison of iPad 9th gen, Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite, Amazon Fire HD 10 (2023, 13th gen):
A peek at the AAC apps I have loaded on my Amazon Fire HD 10 (2023 release, 13th generation) tablet – some apps from the Amazon Appstore + lots of Android AAC apps side loaded from the Google Play Store:
Tips: If you are using an Android tablet & an Amazon Fire Tablet with the Google Play App Store side loaded, be sure to toggle on Family Sharing before making app purchases & make the purchases from the Google Play App Store on your Amazon Fire Tablet. Those have been recognized by Google Play on my Android tablet. The reverse was hit and miss (likely due to the side loading).
Disclaimer: I am not implying that an Amazon Fire tablet is your best option for AAC. I am sharing this info for those who have asked about the most affordable option. Not everyone has a funding source and sadly gatekeeping of AAC is a real barrier.
If you are a parent or caregiver having to DIY your own AAC, please read this post on my blog for additional tips and resources: https://bit.ly/ParentAAC
Please consider individual needs for access, hardware and software as part of the feature matching process.
I am not liable for any purchasing decisions, results of loading or side loading apps, durability of tech or cases, etc. and am not making any recommendations for AAC for individuals.
Resource Update: Feature Matching Chart for Visual Scene and Video Visual Scene Display AAC Apps.
I added info about the Android version of Scene and Heard Pro Lifetime and info about the iOS and Android versions of QuickPic AAC + lots of info about new features in several of the other apps & info about my experience with creating and using a “The VoiceKeeper” voice.
Those who have previously purchased it on TPT can download the most current version for no additional cost: https://bit.ly/AACvsd .
Looking for other in-depth AAC feature matching resources? See this blog post: https://bit.ly/5aacFeatureMatchingResources. That post also includes videos comparing the best AAC apps on various devices on various platforms.
The Feature Matching Chart for the Top iOS Text Based AAC Apps has been updated on 6/29/24 to reflect new features in these apps. Includes major update in Predictable 7. Those who have previously purchased this resource on TPT can download the newest version for no additional cost: https://bit.ly/TextBasedAACapps. 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
Looking for other in-depth AAC feature matching resources? See this blog post: https://bit.ly/5aacFeatureMatchingResources. That post also includes videos comparing the best AAC apps on various devices on various platforms.
Important information about the ClaroCom & ClaroCom Pro AAC apps
I was finally able to track down information about the status of the ClaroCom and ClaroCom AAC apps. I was concerned since neither had been updated since February 13, 2023. I emailed Texthelp (the company that acquired Claro Software in March 2021: https://www.texthelp.com/resources/blog/texthelp-acquires-the-lingit-group/)
The text of my email inquiry on 6/14/24:
Hi – I am trying to find out whether or not you will be updating the ClaroCom and ClaroCom Pro apps in the future.
I have ClaroCom Pro included in my Feature Matching Chart for the Top 14 iOS Text-Based AAC Apps (https://bit.ly/TextBasedAACapps).
If there are no plans for continuing support for these apps then I need to indicate that in my resource so folks can make an informed purchasing decision.
Thanks,
Angela Moorad, MS, CCC-SLP
Here is the text of the reply that I received on 6/17/24 (I highlighted key parts):
Hi Angela Moorad,
You’ve had an update to your case ClaroCom and ClaroCom Pro apps (# 195652) on 2024-06-17 12:23:55:
Joseph said:
Hi Angela,
Thank you for contacting Claro Support.
ClaroCom is currently not in active development. This means that we do not maintain it with regular performance updates or bugfixes at this time, but we do still perform critical hotfixes when required and support general technical queries. For the time being, this is intended to be the status ClaroCom remains in for as long as it can function on the latest version of iOS. Once iOS has updated to the point in which ClaroCom is no longer compatible with it then the application will likely be sunsetted. It is unclear at this time whether or not a replacement will be greenlit. So, to confirm, there are currently no plans for ClaroCom to receive updates in the future.
Let me know if you have any further queries.
Kind Regards,
Joseph Middleton Technical Support Engineer
Texthelp Support Team
The text of my reply that same day: Thanks for the info. If you decide to pick development up again or develop a newer version of this app Iespecially like the option to pinch to zoom directly on the screen to change the size of the font. It’s a unique accessibility feature that’s helpful.
Thanks,
Angela
Links to both apps in the USA App Store (6/17/24):
I will be updating my AAC feature matching resources to reflect this but felt it was important information for the general public and professionals who might be recommending these apps to be aware of.
Note: I will update this blog post in the future if the app developer decides to resume development for these apps or offer new options.
Looking for in-depth AAC feature matching resources? See this blog post: https://bit.ly/5aacFeatureMatchingResources. That post also includes videos comparing the best AAC apps on various devices on various platforms.
Resource Updated: The Feature Matching Chart for the Top 13+ iOS Symbol Based AAC Apps (6/12/24).
It includes information about new features in several apps + info related to the changes in TD Snap becoming a subscription-based app.
The “Unique Features in Symbol-Based AAC Apps to Support Gestalt Language Processors” supplemental handout linked within it has also been updated.
I also updated the Table of Contents in the TPT resource description for those who want more info about the types of things covered: https://bit.ly/TOC-iOSaacSBfmc-06-12-24.
Those who have previously purchased this resource on TPT can download the newest version for no additional cost: https://bit.ly/SymbolBasedAACapps.
Looking for other in-depth AAC feature matching resources? See this blog post: https://bit.ly/5aacFeatureMatchingResources. That post also includes videos comparing the best AAC apps on various devices on various platforms.
OMazing Kids AAC Consulting 