Tag Archives: iPads for SLPs

Using Guided Access and Screen Time to Prevent Exiting an App + preventing deleting apps, installing apps and in-app purchases + info for those using Android, Amazon Fire and Windows devices (updated 12/23/22)

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Updated 12/26/22: See this new blog post for the newest info & a free printable handout: https://omazingkidsllc.com/2022/12/26/tech-safety-aac-prevent-exiting-an-app-block-specific-apps-or-websites-prevent-deleting-apps-prevent-installing-apps-prevent-in-app-purchases-on-ios-android-amazon-fire-google-chrome-am/

**** Archived **** See newer blog post linked above ⬆️

If you will be using an iPad with kids, then Guided Access and Screen Time are your new BFEs (Best. Features. Ever!). They can be used to disable the home button (or swiping to exit on devices without a home button), lock the child into an app, prevent access to specific apps, etc.. Especially critical if you will be using the iPad as an AAC device or using it in therapy with kids with poor impulse control.

Apple’s video:

Also see this written info from Apple for the most current info and step by step directions: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202612 . Written info from Apple in Spanish: https://support.apple.com/es-lamr/guide/ipad/ipada16d1374/16.0/ipados/16.0. Note: It took quite a bit of digging but I discovered that you can view the official Apple website in numerous different languages.

And info at:

How to Lock Into a Single App on iPhone & iPad with Guided Access

Nice tutorial from The TalkLink Trust about Guided Access: https://youtu.be/FlQODNugXxA

Unfortunately Guided Access automatically turns off when the iPad gets low on power. Even when it’s on it’s not hack-proof. So it’s important to backup any customized programming: https://omazingkidsllc.com/2021/03/21/backup-aac-customized-programming/

How to Maximize Battery Life on an iPad or iPhone: https://omazingkidsllc.com/2022/08/24/how-to-maximize-battery-life-on-an-ipad-or-iphone/

What to do if you’re stuck in Guided Access:

And there are a few important settings to adjust in order to prevent the AAC app (or any other apps) from being deleted. This is also where you need to toggle off the ability to download apps and the ability to make in-app purchases. Be sure to set a strong password.

Use Screen Time alongside Guided Access to provide even more control.

Apple – Use Screen Time on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208982

Nice tutorial from The TalkLink Trust about Screen Time. It’s more complicated that Guided Access but not hard to do once you get the hang of it. https://youtu.be/8EWNVcWWWVM

What happens after failed Screen Time passcode attempts: https://www.softwaredive.com/what-happens-after-10-failed-screen-time-passcode-attempts/

How to block deleting an app: https://osxdaily.com/2020/06/13/how-stop-deleting-apps-iphone-ipad-screen-time/

How to block installing apps: https://osxdaily.com/2020/07/13/how-prevent-app-installation-iphone-ipad-screen-time/

How to block in-app purchases: https://osxdaily.com/2020/05/22/how-turn-off-in-app-purchases-iphone-ipad-screen-time/

How to disable Safari browser: https://www.mobicip.com/content/how-do-i-disable-or-enable-safari-my-childs-iphone-or-ipad Note: iPads on a “managed” system will have even stronger ways to lock down the device. Check with the IT department in charge of that managed system to determine the options.

Android: Screen pinning (similar to Guided Access): https://www.lifewire.com/how-to-use-guided-access-android-4689158. The exact steps may look different or vary depending on your exact model of Android device.

How to pin the screen on an Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite: https://www.devicesfaq.com/en/pin-screen/samsung-galaxy-tab-s6-lite-2022

If you have a Samsung Android tablet, also look at Samsung Kids as a way to create a secured area where you can add any combination of apps: https://youtu.be/9154zJmOxis. Can use the included My Camera to take pictures and videos and then view them within My Gallery. The included Bobby’s Canvas app has a fun drawing area. Exiting Samsung Kids is secured with a PIN. More info: https://www.samsung.com/us/apps/samsung-kids/

The YouTube Kids app (https://bit.ly/3O0FpIT) or the Video Collections app (https://bit.ly/3zEuW1k or on Samsung Galaxy Store: https://bit.ly/3zGG7q7 ) can be used as a way to save links to specific YouTube videos or channels. Adding one of these apps within the secured Samsung Kids area would allow Gestalt Language Processors to access videos as part of their communication system in a secured way.

Google Family Link: https://families.google/familylink/.

Amazon Fire tablet: Amazon Kids can be used as a way to create a secured area with just the app(s) and access to device features that you choose: https://amzn.to/3Pfz2BN. You can also use Screen Pinning to lock into a single app: https://www.devicesfaq.com/en/pin-screen/amazon-kindle-fire

Windows: Set up a single-app kiosk on Windows 10/11: https://bit.ly/3Ocxdo3 (applicable for Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, and Education & Windows 11. Unfortunately you can not set Kiosk mode for Windows 10 Home edition (the operating system on my AWOW AiBook 10 Windows tablet / mini laptop: https://bit.ly/3IJRBf8).

Important Note: Decisions about when and how to secure devices need to be made based on individual needs, age of the user, how long they have been using AAC, etc… The needs of a young child first learning how to use AAC are very different than the needs of an older teen or adult who uses tech to multitask.

I would never hand a young child a totally unlocked / unsecured iPad or tablet that then could access all of the internet. There are several reasons why that could be very risky.

Follow the National Online Safety page to see info about specific risks: https://www.facebook.com/NationalOnlineSafety. Website: https://nationalcollege.com/channels/national-online-safety

You also need to consider financial risks. Several years ago I had a patient who had run up over $1,000 in credit card charges making app purchases and in-app purchases on an unsecured iPad. Fortunately they were eventually able to get it refunded but that’s not always the case.

As you can see above there are ways to choose how secure a device needs to be by using a combo of options. It doesn’t have to be “all or nothing”.

See “Game Apps & AAC: why these need to be on separate devices” for a real life example and considerations: https://omazingkidsllc.com/2016/07/31/game-apps-aac-why-these-need-to-be-on-separate-devices/

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

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Top Tips for Picking a Tablet and Case for SLPs

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Top Tips for Picking a Tablet and Case for SLPs

  •  Invest in an iPad with the most memory that you can afford.
  • Most therapy and AAC apps are large and you cannot add memory to an iPad later.
  • Apple has a history of dropping support for older devices. So it is best to get a model that is no more than one year old.
  • Don’t get an Android tablet. There are very few good therapeutic or AAC apps for Android tablets and the few that do exist are not updated as often as the iOS version of that app.
  • My most recent purchase was a 2016 iPad Pro 9.7″ with 256GB memory.
  • I specifically wanted a Pro for the four speakers for AAC and playing music in a group. I went with the 9.7” size since it fit in a Gripcase with handles on all sides.
  • If you don’t need the extra speakers, then I recommend the 2017 iPad with 128GB memory.
  • Steer clear of the iPad Air 2 (history of glitchiness)

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Be sure to also invest in a good protective case for your new iPad. My personal favorite case is the Gripcase (original style with a handle on all sides). It’s what I have on my new iPad Pro 9.7″ (just needed a little modification with an Exacto knife to carve out two extra speaker openings and a larger opening for the rear facing camera), two iPad Air 1s and an iPad Mini 2. They are lightweight, easy to grab and go and are protective. I’ve had my oldest iPads in those cases for 5 years and have never had an iPad damaged with heavy use all day every day in therapy. I also love the Gripbase stand. Unfortunately they don’t offer their case for all of the various sizes and models of iPads. If you can’t get a Gripcase, then look at a Big Grips Lift case. If neither of those are available, then look on Amazon for a similar style of case but pay close attention to reviews to see the track record for that case being protective.

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Note: My recommendations for specific iPad models and cases may change in the future based on the best available options at that point in time. Feel free to send me a message on my OMazing Kids Facebook Page if you have questions 😃

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Angela Moorad, MS, CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
Founder of OMazing Kids, LLC – inclusive wellness & educational activities for kids of all abilities
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Angela Moorad is the founder of OMazing Kids, LLC and is an ASHA certified & licensed pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist and Kids Yoga Teacher with over 27 years experience working in a variety of settings (early intervention, schools, teletherapy & a nonprofit pediatric rehab hospital for children with developmental disabilities). She is an app beta tester for educational & therapeutic app developers and loves sharing info about great apps, products, books & toys to use with kids of all abilities.