{SLP Hoarders} How I organize my stash….

Posted on May 9, 2016 by OMazing Kids

I have accumulated a HUGE stash of stuff over the past 26 years as a SLP. By “huge” I mean of hoarder proportions (you know you have ALOT of stuff when folks ask for a personal invitation to your garage sale when you retire). Part of the issue is that I work with kids 0-21 years of age with a wide range of needs and abilities.

Dana at the Uncommon Sense Blog recently did a Facebook post asking how folks organize their stuff:

So that inspired this blog post. I seriously could be on an episode of SLP Hoarders. Based on posts in several SLP Facebook groups, I know that I’m no alone. I have a stash of stuff at work that is only the tip of the iceberg. Here are a few pics of how I organize the stash at work & the even bigger stash at home.

Work:

This is my jumbo binder where I store extra PECS symbols. I bought the largest binder available at Office Max. The interior pages are organized by category. Larger categories are broken up alphabetically. I also store symbols with the toys they go with by velcroing them inside the lid and/or on choice boards inside. This is so I can grab and go. If a particular patient is using an AAC device, AAC app or PECS and likes a particular toy, then I add those symbols to their device or book. But we get inpatients at the hospital where I work who don’t have formal AAC yet but we are exploring it with them during their 30-day admission and having symbols stored with the toys insures that I can offer choices “on the fly”.

I have my extra visual schedules and visual supports in 3 clear hanging wall pockets:

At home I have books organized by theme on bookcases & in tubs. I store the symbols and story props with each book:

Oh and then there is the guest bedroom where our dog’s crate is. She told me she doesn’t mind sharing it with the rest of my SLP hoarder stash:

I’m pretty sure I own almost every extra “parts & pieces” set for Mr. Potato Head:

Oh and then there is the entire walk in closet in that room….. umm yeah.

So there it is. This is my SLP stash and how I organize it. I have promised my husband that none of it is coming with us when I retire and we move to the mountains in 23 months. So stay tuned for a SLP retirement garage sale of epic proportions. Not sure yet if I will sell my stash online or in-person… either way it will be announced on my OMazing Kids page with personal invites to my closest therapy peeps 🙂

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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
Home E-Mail: amoorad1@juno.com
Facebook Messaging for OMazing Kids: https://www.facebook.com/messages/17426452595789
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/OMazingKidsYoga
AppPeeps Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/OMazingKidsAppPeeps/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/amoorad
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/amoorad1
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/OMazingKids/
Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/110305433538768736741
Boardmaker Share: http://www.boardmakershare.com/Community/FriendsProfile/10916/Angela-Moorad
Blog: http://omazingkidsllc.com
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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 26 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.
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{please ignore any ads that may appear below. This is a free blog and I don’t have any control over ads nor do I profit from them}

{Articulation Testing Apps} Reviews and Comparison of Articulation Test Center, Sunny Articulation Phonology Test Kit & Test of Articulation and Phonology (iTap)

Posted on May 7, 2016 by OMazing Kids

This review is a comparison of 3 articulation testing apps based on full versions of each app updated to most current versions in the USA App Store on 5/7/16:

Test of Articulation and Phonology (iTap) – FULL by Smarty Ears
https://appsto.re/us/4DCKab.i, regularly $74.99, on sale for $44.99 on 4/30-5/8/16. App video tutorial:

Full info about this app has not been posted yet on the company’s website.

Sunny Articulation Phonology Test Kit by Smarty Ears
https://appsto.re/us/xNuiw.i, regularly $49.99, on sale for $29.99 on 4/30-5/8/16. In depth info: http://smartyearsapps.com/service/sunny-articulation-phonology-test/. App video tutorial:

UPDATE: Articulation Assessment ToolKit by Smarty Ears (formerly called Sunny Articulation Phonology Test Kit) is no longer available for purchase in the App Store. For those who already own it, you can find it in your “Purchased” area. The app will continue to work on your iPad but no future updates are anticipated since the company has released a new version. They replaced it with the Articulation Assessment ToolKit Plus app that allows you to complete 3 tests for free and afterwards has IAPs (purchase 5 tests for $5.99, Monthly Unlimited Testing subscription for $5.99 per month, Yearly Unlimited Testing subscription for $37.99 per year). AAT Plus by Smarty Ears, https://apps.apple.com/us/app/aat-plus/id1527491925, iPad only, iOS 11.0 or later. I compared this new app side-by-side with the older fully paid version and only noticed one difference (the background color on a screener is now blue instead of yellow…. which I found to be an improvement with the blue being easier on my eyes). I suggest trying out the R Screener as one of your free tests since I used it quite a bit when working on /r/ and found it helpful.

Articulation Test Center by Little Bee Speech
https://appsto.re/us/C59VP.i, regularly $49.99, will be on sale for $39.99 on 5/10-5/13/16. In depth info: http://littlebeespeech.com/articulation_test_center.php.

App video tutorials:

So here are my thoughts in comparing all 3 apps:

I like the exporting options in iTap & Sunny. It’s nice to have the option to export the results as a PDF as well as editable text. Articulation Test Center just exports it as editable text (adding a PDF option would be a wish for a future update for this app).
I like more of the features in Sunny vs. iTap. In particular, the info that shows x of x is helpful to know where you specifically are in the test (also used in Articulation Test Center) vs. the progress dots at the bottom of iTap. I also like the testing options available in Sunny: quick consonant screener, r screener and full test with or without scoring vowels. The scoring seemed to be a little more intuitive in Sunny vs. iTap.
There are even more testing options available in Articulation Test Center: Screener (quickly test sounds based on age: 2 yrs, 3-4yrs, 5 yrs, 6+ yrs) & Full Test (within that you can do the entire test or specify what subareas to target: initial sounds, medial sounds, final sounds, initial blends, vowels, r sounds and speech sample). And based on your selection, the app tells you how many stimulus cards will be included.
In iTap and Articulation Test Center, I like that you can add a photo or avatar for the student. This is not an option in Sunny.
In iTap and Sunny, the scoring is initially more intuitive but Articulation Test Center is also very easy to score after watching the in app tutorial. Articulation Test Center provides additional info that makes scoring vowels and phonological processes easier.
Articulation Test Center allows you to fully score each part of a blend separately. This is helpful when you have a patient who exhibits errors on both parts.
All 3 apps have a way to adjust the setup when a patient is seated across from you vs next to you. In iTap and Sunny, test probe word can flipped. In Articulation Test Center, the test probe picture can be flipped.
Articulation Test Center includes 3 options for speech sample scenes (Mountain Adventure, Beach Day & Fun At The Park). Each scene has the option to toggle the background sounds off/on, swipe to explore the scene, discussion prompts that pop up when you tap items in the scene, in-app recording to record a speech sample and the option to rate intelligibility. It is especially cool that you can choose to just use this portion of the app. The scenes are filled with great details that would lend themselves well to speech-language therapy. It would be really cool if the app developer added them to their Articulation Station App in a future update.
Sunny has 11 sentence scenes with in-app recording, the option designate the production as reading or repetition & the option to enter notes. Targeted sounds can be scored as correct or incorrect but no other specific scoring of errors is available in this portion of the test (which makes sense since you would lose the flow of the sentence if detailed scoring was attempted).
Articulation Test Center includes suggestions for sounds to target based on developmental norms and the age at the time of testing.
Sunny is a “universal” app that works on an iPad, iPhone or iTouch. iTap and Articulation Test Center only work on an iPad. This is not an issue for me since I only use my iPad in therapy (the facility where I work prohibiting us from carrying cell phones in areas where patients are present). I would imagine that scoring might be difficult on an iPhone unless it was the largest size. But folks who don’t have access to an iPad but do have an iPhone may want to consider Sunny as an option.
I see some potential problems in using the iTap as a “standardized” test. The test was only normed on 199 children ages 3;0 to 10;11 in central Texas. This may not be an issue if you are dealing with private pay clients but will likely pose a problem with other payers such as Medicaid or private insurance. I have requested a copy of the normative data to look it more closely. BAPA norming info is available at: http://smartyearsapps.com/service/bilingual-articulation-phonology-assessment/.
A suggestion that I have for all 3 apps for future updates would be to add an easy scoring option for frontal and lateral distortions on sibilants. These are common errors and it’s important to be able to distinguish between them. Having these quick scoring options would be easier than having to document this in a notes section. Another suggestion for all 3 apps would be for the app to automatically determine a phonological process based on the error entered on that sound. It’s a bit time consuming to have to select info in both places for each targeted sound.

A few screenshots (tap each to enlarge):

Articulation Test Center

Sunny

iTap

So as you can see, there are features that I like in each app. I have used all three and pick one in that moment based on the features I need for a particular patient. But not everyone has access to all three apps and I have seen questions several times in a variety of SLP Facebook groups asking for purchasing recommendations/advice. I always hate to pick “faves” since I run the risk of offending app developers who have been very generous to provide access to their apps but enough SLPs have asked for advice that I am making an exception to my usual “rule”.

The bottom line: At this point in time I would recommend Articulation Test Center by Little Bee Speech as my first place pick.

Sunny Articulation Phonology Test Kit (aka. Articulation Assessment ToolKit) by Smarty Ears is no longer available for purchase in the App Store. For those who already own it, you can find it in your “Purchased” area. The app will continue to work on your iPad but no future updates are anticipated since the company has released a new version. They replaced it with the Articulation Assessment ToolKit Plus app that allows you to complete 3 tests for free and afterwards has IAPs (purchase 5 tests for $5.99, Monthly Unlimited Testing subscription for $5.99 per month, Yearly Unlimited Testing subscription for $37.99 per year). AAT Plus by Smarty Ears, https://apps.apple.com/us/app/aat-plus/id1527491925, iPad only, iOS 11.0 or later. I compared this new app side-by-side with the older fully paid version and only noticed one difference (the background color on a screener is now blue instead of yellow…. which I found to be an improvement with the blue being easier on my eyes). I suggest trying out the R Screener as one of your free tests since I used it quite a bit when working on /r/ and found it helpful. I’d only recommend that newer app if you’d be using it often enough to make the subscription worth it.

If you happen to work in Central Texas, then you may want to consider the Test of Articulation and Phonology (iTap) – FULL by Smarty Ears as a standardized option. For those of us outside that geographical area, the cost difference is not warranted and the norms will not really benefit you.
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Disclaimer: I received all 3 of these apps via promo codes from the developers. No compensation was received to review them and my opinions are strictly my own. Apps and the features within them change frequently as app updates are released. Both of these app developers have an excellent track record of supporting their apps and providing frequent updates. So my recommendations may shift in the future based on whatever features are available at that moment.
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My dream articulation testing app: I dream of an articulation testing app that is standardized on a nationwide basis in the USA and has all the features, in-app scoring and reporting options that the three apps described above have without requiring you to purchase protocols (either in printed format or as in-app purchases) or pay an annual user license. But given the costs associated with standardizing a test on that broad of a scale and the $$$$$ that traditional test companies make on us having to purchase protocols, I’m not sure we will ever see an app like that. But a speechie can still dream 🙂
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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
Home E-Mail: amoorad1@juno.com
Facebook Messaging for OMazing Kids: https://www.facebook.com/messages/17426452595789
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/OMazingKidsYoga
AppPeeps Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/OMazingKidsAppPeeps/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/amoorad
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/amoorad1
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/OMazingKids/
Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/110305433538768736741
Boardmaker Share: http://www.boardmakershare.com/Community/FriendsProfile/10916/Angela-Moorad
Blog: http://omazingkidsllc.com
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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 26 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.
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{please ignore any ads that may appear below. This is a free blog and I don’t have any control over ads nor do I profit from them}

{Dear ASHA} With all due respect…..

Posted on May 7, 2016 by OMazing Kids

Dear ASHA, in response to your “with all due respect” reply, a poll of 3,000 of 186,000 ASHA members and only 307 respondents does NOT reflect the opinions of the majority of us. Instead of providing an unbiased opportunity for members to express our thoughts on the top concerns facing our profession and the families we serve, this poll had a slant towards the negative aspects of tech. What about all the fabulous possibilities of tech such as AAC use, adapted play & therapeutic use of an iPad with high quality apps?
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Instead of just repeating the standard advise parents receive regarding limiting tech from the American Academy of Pediatrics, Consumer Technology Association, National PTA or reporters, ASHA is the position to provide important information about how we can support parents in developing communication, language and play skills with their children through appropriate uses of technology such as:
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Ideas on how to support play and language acquisition through technology for toddlers with special needs.
The importance of early access to robust AAC options and information about how to find the Assistive Technology Lending Library programs and SLPs who specialize in AAC in each state.
Ideas on how to incorporate technology and social language skills/small talk interventions for adults and teens who use AAC.
Ideas on how to incorporate video modeling into language interventions for children who are keen video fans/youtube enthusiasts.
Ideas on how technology can be used to support emergent readers and writers who cannot use traditional materials such as paper books and lead pencils.
Ideas on how parents can talk with their children as they actively engage in interactive play with apps such as Toca Boca Tea Party, My PlayHome, Sago Mini Friends, etc.
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These ideas were inspired by this fabulous comment by Mary-Louise Bertram on your post: https://www.facebook.com/asha.org/posts/10153650304700318?comment_id=10153650653710318&comment_tracking=%7B%22tn%22%3A%22R3%22%7D

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As I stated previously, many parents and SLPs who see your posts and videos don’t differentiate between the “purposes” for the technology. I have seen countless posts in a variety of Facebook groups where SLPs and parents have commented about not pursuing AAC for young children due to needing to “limit screen time”. This misperception is extremely concerning!
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On your Facebook page you encouraged members to “speak up” during BHSM yet when we voiced concerns about our own organization we were redirected to e-mail. The canned reply you get when you take the time to submit your concerns to ASHA formally via the e-mail they provided can be seen in the image at the top of this post and here: https://www.facebook.com/OMazingKidsYoga/photos/a.433610663356611.117461.174264525957894/1138548532862817/?type=3&theater

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Wow. Thanks for dismissing those of us who work in the trenches with kids with complex communication needs and their families everyday. I think I’ll stick with public forums and social media.
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The slogan of BHSM 2016 is “Communication Takes Care“. One of the definitions of “care” is “serious attention or consideration applied to doing something correctly or to avoid damage or risk.”. Kind of ironic since you seem to be taking very little care in how your BHSM campaign is being perceived and the potential damage that it may do.

The solution isn’t difficult. You just need to be more thoughtful, balanced and inclusive in your posts and videos. Please “take care” by doing posts that highlight kids with complex communication needs and innovative ways of using tech to meet those needs for AAC, adapted play or therapeutic uses of an iPad with high quality apps. There are several parent authored blogs that are well respected and have huge followings who I’m sure would be more than glad to share their stories.

Please listen. It’s far past time for the voice of ASHA to speak for kids of ALL needs & abilities.

~ from a concerned ASHA certified SLP & dues paying member for 26 years

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The poll that you mentioned: http://www.asha.org/uploadedFiles/BHSM-Member-Poll-Results.pdf

No mention of AAC or appropriate uses of tech in any of these BHSM posts:
* http://www.asha.org/bhsm/ten-tips-blog-post/
* http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7802751-asha-risks-of-tech-overuse-poll/
* http://www.asha.org/uploadedImages/BHSM-Infographic.jpeg

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FYI – For those who may not know, all states in the USA are supposed to have an Assistive Technology Lending Library program where parents & professionals can borrow AAC devices, iPads with AAC apps & other AT for short-term trial. It’s a great way to try various options out before making purchasing decisions. There are lots of great AAC devices and apps. It’s important to do a good feature-match and trial of options. Find the AT Lending Library in your state: http://www.ataporg.org/states.html. Also can look on: http://www.resnaprojects.org/allcontacts/statewidecontacts.html. They may also have helpful info about SLPs in your area who specialize in AAC and any funding resources that may be specific to your state.

This website has good info regarding potential funding sources: http://ectacenter.org/topics/atech/funding.asp

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In case you missed it, OMazing Kids blog post:

https://omazingkidsllc.com/2016/05/04/what-were-they-thinking-again-ashas-misguided-assault-on-kids-technology-for-better-hearing-speech-month-2016/
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#CommunicationTakesAACcess #GiveThemAllTheWords #SeeMeSeeMyAAC #SLPblogger #SLPeeps #BHSM #BHSM2016
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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
Home E-Mail: amoorad1@juno.com
Facebook Messaging for OMazing Kids: https://www.facebook.com/messages/17426452595789
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/OMazingKidsYoga
AppPeeps Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/OMazingKidsAppPeeps/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/amoorad
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/amoorad1
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/OMazingKids/
Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/110305433538768736741
Boardmaker Share: http://www.boardmakershare.com/Community/FriendsProfile/10916/Angela-Moorad
Blog: http://omazingkidsllc.com
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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 26 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.
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{please ignore any ads that may appear below. This is a free blog and I don’t have any control over ads nor do I profit from them}

{What Were They Thinking…. AGAIN!?!} ASHA’s misguided assault on kids & technology for Better Hearing & Speech Month 2016

Posted on May 4, 2016 by OMazing Kids

OMazing Kids blog post in response to ASHA BHSM 2016 anti tech campaign

Dear ASHA, this ASHA certified SLP (dues paying member for 26 years) had prayed that you would have a better campaign in mind for this year’s Better Hearing & Speech Month…. ’cause we are still dealing with the fallout from last year’s fiasco. But unfortunately here we are again in 2016 with a tech shaming focus for BHSM.

I know you didn’t intend to do harm with last year’s campaign or this year’s but you have. The issue is that your posts and videos don’t include any caveats for appropriate uses of tech such as AAC, adapted play or therapeutic uses of an iPad with high quality apps. They just convey a black and white “tech is bad and needs to be swapped” message. Many parents and SLPs who see your posts and videos don’t differentiate between the “purposes” for the technology. I have seen countless posts in a variety of Facebook groups where SLPs and parents have commented about not pursuing AAC for young children due to needing to “limit screen time”. This is a ridiculous battle. What’s silly is that in the era when all we had was traditional dedicated SGDs nobody ever called that “screen time” yet an iPad with an AAC app locked in Guided Access is a dedicated SGD.

The solution isn’t difficult. You just need to be more thoughtful, balanced and inclusive in your posts and videos. Please consider doing posts that highlight kids with complex communication needs and innovative ways of using tech to meet those needs for AAC, adapted play or therapeutic uses of an iPad with high quality apps.

There are several parent authored blogs that are well respected and have huge followings who I’m sure would be more than glad to share their stories. Please listen. It’s far past time for the voice of ASHA to speak for kids of ALL needs & abilities.

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Interesting post about tech shaming: http://www.sunshineandhurricanes.com/please-stop-saying-technology-is-ruining-childhood/

Dear OMazing Kids peeps – You can join us in voicing concerns using the #CommunicationTakesAACcess hashtag and by commenting on this post on the ASHA FB page: https://www.facebook.com/asha.org/photos/a.187128960317.137733.26971470317/10153646225275318/?type=3&theater

You can also followup with an e-mail to bhsm@asha.org. Based on ASHA’s responses to the FB comments so far, we may not be able to do much about the tone of this year’s BHSM but hopefully can prevent a “threepeat” in 2017.

And feel free to post comments on this video on ASHA’s YouTube channel:

Update: Well it looks like all of our posts and comments have at least caused The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association to mention that their new infographic excludes tech used for AAC. But the issue is that statement is only visible in the text of their FB post so this infographic viewed outside that context can still do great harm. I left a comment asking that they update the infographic itself. Several others have now commented asking that they also remove the stipulation about “severe” communication disorders. Also…. Not sure what they mean by polling their members. I’m a member and I never received info about this poll.

Love this comment posted by Mary-Louise Bertram: https://www.facebook.com/asha.org/posts/10153650304700318?comment_id=10153650653710318&comment_tracking=%7B%22tn%22%3A%22R3%22%7D

My OMazing Kids FB post in late April: https://www.facebook.com/OMazingKidsYoga/posts/1134222826628721

& my blog post voicing concerns in 2015: https://omazingkidsllc.com/2015/05/16/what-were-they-thinking-ashas-misguided-assault-on-kids-technology-for-better-hearing-speech-month-2015/

Check out these posts from others who have spoken out. I will be updating this blog post to add more throughout the month:

Hold My Words: https://www.facebook.com/HoldMyWords/photos/a.841100355997445.1073741829.824970217610459/971098362997643/

Uncommon Sense Blog: https://www.facebook.com/123130417730793/photos/a.124083530968815.9496.123130417730793/1067490493294776/?type=3&theater and Dana has boldly posted several comments in the post over on ASHA’s FB page: https://www.facebook.com/asha.org/photos/a.187128960317.137733.26971470317/10153646225275318/?type=3&comment_id=10153646803975318&comment_tracking={%22tn%22%3A%22R9%22}, https://www.facebook.com/asha.org/photos/a.187128960317.137733.26971470317/10153646225275318/?type=3&comment_id=10153647772650318&reply_comment_id=10153647794580318&comment_tracking={%22tn%22%3A%22R9%22} & https://www.facebook.com/asha.org/photos/a.187128960317.137733.26971470317/10153646225275318/?type=3&comment_id=10153647772650318&reply_comment_id=10153649462875318&comment_tracking={%22tn%22%3A%22R9%22}

Rachael Langley is a fellow SLP and AAC enthusiast who creates fabulous memes: https://www.facebook.com/RachaelLangleyAAC/photos/a.1593847960833847.1073741828.1593841367501173/1734541580097817/?type=3&theater

Speak for Yourself is the only AAC company that I’ve seen so far speak out against the BHSM 2016 campaign. I love Heidi’s boldness to speak up: https://www.facebook.com/SpeakForYourselfAAC/posts/1019817461386869 (one of several posts) & https://www.facebook.com/asha.org/photos/a.187128960317.137733.26971470317/10153646225275318/?type=3&comment_id=10153647815075318&comment_tracking=%7B%22tn%22%3A%22R9%22%7D

{App Deals} Better Hearing & Speech Month ~ May 2016

Posted on May 1, 2016 by OMazing Kids

{App Deals} May is Better Hearing and Speech Month. It’s a great time to watch for app deals! Therapy app developers often offer great discounts and even occasionally a few freebies. I will leave this post pinned to the top of my OMazing Kids Facebook page as a place for folks to stop by and check the comments to find app deals & for app developers to announce deals. I will also be doing individual posts throughout the month but then will post a link to those posts in the comments here to make them easier to find: https://www.facebook.com/OMazingKidsYoga/photos/a.1039368119447526.1073741892.174264525957894/1136145599769777/?type=3&theate

Here are a few tips:

App prices often change at 10:00pm CST (adjust for your time zone) but can change at any time with no notice. So it’s always wise to get the apps you want quickly and always verify the price before downloading an app.
I always verify app prices in the USA App Store at the time I do a post. But I typically don’t know how long an app will be free or on sale or what prices are outside the USA (they are different in other countries based on the exchange rate) unless an app developer has shared that info.
If you don’t have an iPad yet or don’t have one running the iOS required to download a particular app, you can download that app on iTunes on a computer and have it in your cloud to install later.
I only post about iOS (Apple) apps since I only have an iPad & iPhone.
I only post about apps that I have actually downloaded and tried out. There are LOTS of apps out there but only a handful earn a spot in the limited real estate on my iPad. Even with a 128GB iPad Air I am still constantly playing the “app shuffle”.

#BHSM #BHSM2016 #SLPeeps #SLP2b
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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
Home E-Mail: amoorad1@juno.com
Facebook Messaging for OMazing Kids: https://www.facebook.com/messages/17426452595789
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/OMazingKidsYoga
AppPeeps Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/OMazingKidsAppPeeps/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/amoorad
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/amoorad1
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/OMazingKids/
Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/110305433538768736741
Boardmaker Share: http://www.boardmakershare.com/Community/FriendsProfile/10916/Angela-Moorad
Blog: http://omazingkidsllc.com
.
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 26 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.
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{please ignore any ads that may appear below. This is a free blog and I don’t have any control over ads nor do I profit from them}

{Product Review} Q’s Race to the Top Bundle: Boardgame, On the Go Pack, Read-Along Storybook & CD, Coloring & Activity Book, and Q-Time Buddy weighted plush doll

Posted on April 30, 2016 by OMazing Kids

I am SUPER excited to have these amazing products to use in OMazing Kids speech-language therapy and kids yoga classes! EQtainment generously sent me the Q Toys Bundle to try out and review. They have been a HUGE hit with my patients. The bundle includes the Q’s Race to the Top Boardgame, Q’s Race on the Go Pack, Q’s Wild Ride Read-Along Storybook & CD, Q’s Coloring & Activity Book, and the Q-Time Buddy weighted plush doll. [price: $59.99 (an $8.00 savings over purchasing all of the items separately): http://shop.eqtainment.com/products/q-toys-bundle].

Here’s what I LOVE about these amazing products:

The Q’s Race to the Top Boardgame has an oversized dice and game pieces (both nice for younger kids or for those with fine motor challenges) and a sturdy colorful game board that is easy to understand and short enough to get to the end within a typical speech-language therapy session.
The cards in the game have a wide degree of difficulty and social skills targeted. The game was designed and tested with kids ages 3-12 years old. Younger kids or those with special needs may need the therapist or parent to preselect cards before the start of the game to best suit their kids needs. The adult could also simplify the wording as they read the cards. The “Do” cards contain a mix of physical actions ranging from simple to pretty challenging. Some also incorporate emotions and facial expressions. Again I would suggest preselecting the ones that will best suit your kids physical abilities and developmental level. The adult may need to simplify these activities or modify them for kids with special needs. For kids that need a visual support to help them understand what the motion would look like, I will incorporate video modeling and pictures. The selfie camera mode on my iPad will also come in handy.
The Q’s Wild Ride book included with the game is fun to read to introduce kids to the loveable yet quirky character Q before playing the game. (Q is “a dusky leaf monkey”…. thanks for including the specifics! The first question my patient with ASD asked was “what kind of monkey is that?”). The Read-Along Storybook & CD is exactly the same story but in a larger book format and includes a CD with two tracks (with and without page turn signals). The narration and sound effects are very well done in the CD and the illustrations in the book depict emotions well through exaggerated facial expressions and body language. I took a couple of pics of interior pages since none seemed to be available online and this will help folks make purchasing decisions.
The Q’s Race to the Top – On the Go Pack are the same cards as contained in the board game but are sized a little smaller and are in a durable metal tin.
The Q-Time Buddy weighted plush doll is super soft, is wearing a cute green hoodie and is the perfect weight and size to be used in belly breathing. I had several patients who immediately relaxed, closed their eyes and began belly breathing when laying on their back with the Q-Time Buddy on their belly. The instructions are printed on the back of the box. My only suggestion for improvement would be to include a separate card with the belly breathing instructions since most folks usually don’t keep the box when they get a stuffed animal. I am including some pics below that I found on the Kohl’s website so I will be able to share the instructions with parents later.
The Q’s Coloring & Activity Book is filled with great tie-ins to the book & game. It also includes several pages that are unique to just the coloring book and also includes fun activity pages (dot-to-dot, finish the picture, maze, find the same, drawing emotions on faces, etc…). I scanned a couple of interior pages since none seemed to be available online and this will help folks make purchasing decisions.
All of the products are very well designed and of high quality materials. Is is very obvious that a lot of thought went into the design of these products. I love that they offer them as individual items so parents and therapists can pick and choose the ones to best fit their needs or get the entire set as bundle.

These are definitely destined to become “faves” in OMazing Kids speech-language therapy and my kids yoga classes!

See this video for more info about this relaxation technique.

Interior page samples from the storybook:

Interior page samples from the coloring book:

See this video for info about the game:

Where can I purchase these amazing products? (plus a discount code!)

All of the products are available for purchase on their website at: http://shop.eqtainment.com/ & they are offering a 20% off discount for OMazing Kids fans (the discount is only available only when purchasing directly through their website. Enter “QFRIEND20” when you checkout on their website. This discount code is set to expire one month from this post. Please contact the company directly with any questions you may have about the discount code: http://eqtainment.com/contact-us/ or on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/eqtainment/)

A few additional purchasing options:

I’m including links from Amazon.com for those who like to take advantage of free shipping through their Amazon Prime membership and for Kohl’s for those who may have some Kohl’s cash they’d like to spend…..

Board game with book:

http://www.amazon.com/Race-Educational-Board-Game-Book/dp/B00NH9E4LW

http://www.kohls.com/product/prd-2465260/qs-race-to-the-top-board-game.jsp

Q-time weighted plush buddy:

http://www.amazon.com/Q-Time-developing-attention-emotional-control/dp/B00ZQ2J9M2

http://www.kohls.com/product/prd-2466048/q-time-buddy-plush-monkey.jsp

Coloring book:

http://www.amazon.com/Qs-Coloring-Activity-Book-behavior/dp/B00ZPYAK3S

For more ideas for fostering emotional intelligence and teaching social skills, be sure to check out their social media sites:

Website: http://eqtainment.com/

Disclaimer: I received a free sample of this product to facilitate my review. Opinions expressed are my own.

{App Review} My PlayHome: Hospital

Posted on April 23, 2016 by OMazing Kids

Totally LOVE this new app from My PlayHome! So many areas to explore: reception desk, wheelchairs, elevator, gift shop, waiting area with a TV & vending machine, treatment area with oxygen masks, vital signs monitors, syringes, saline and blood bags, privacy screens and a computer with realistic typing and clicking. In the private patient rooms the curtains can be shut to darken the room. The doctor’s office has a functioning stethoscope to hear the heartbeat. The X-ray area is amazing. Love how the X-ray machine responds accurately to the part of the body being scanned and then you can “print” a copy and view it.

Love the arrows that make it clear how to navigate to other areas. Also love the intuitive way that the apps in the series link to each other and it’s especially cool that you can drive the ambulance from the hospital to the school, stores and home. The sound effects are very realistic. Unless you press the “tidy the hospital” button on the opening screen, the items & people remain where they are the next time you open the app.

Only a few wishes for a future app update to make the app even more accurate: it would be nice to be able to change the TVs to a couple of different channels, when a tray is placed in the sink in the upstairs break area it partially shows through in an odd way, the soda in the bottle from the vending machine needs to disappear as it’s being consumed, the characters need to be able to hold the phone to their ear, it would be cool to have an overhead paging system microphone at the reception desk and the doctor’s office needs a biohazard disposal can for the needles. Being a SLP, it would be super cool to see an option added to the X-ray area to do a dysphagiagram (swallow study).

See the App Trailer: http://youtu.be/v91tMkFAFPc

This app is a bargain for only $2.99: My PlayHome Hospital by PlayHome Software Ltd
https://appsto.re/us/FAksbb.i

I highly recommend SLPs have all the apps in this series. Lots of opportunities for language, following directions, spatial concepts, etc. plus this particular app could be used as part of a social story to help prepare a child for an upcoming medical procedure or hospital stay.
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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
Home E-Mail: amoorad1@juno.com
Facebook Messaging for OMazing Kids: https://www.facebook.com/messages/17426452595789
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/OMazingKidsYoga
AppPeeps Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/OMazingKidsAppPeeps/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/amoorad
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/amoorad1
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/OMazingKids/
Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/110305433538768736741
Boardmaker Share: http://www.boardmakershare.com/Community/FriendsProfile/10916/Angela-Moorad
Blog: http://omazingkidsllc.com
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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 26 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.
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{please ignore any ads that may appear below. This is a free blog and I don’t have any control over ads nor do I profit from them}

{FREE Printable} 24 verbs for the Fisher Price Laugh & Learn Piggy Bank

Posted on April 23, 2016 by OMazing Kids

Since so many folks were excited about the {FREE Printable} 60 early vocabulary cards for the Fisher Price Laugh & Learn Piggy Bank, I decided to make a few verb picture cards.

Circle cards: http://br.boardmakershare.com/Activity/1912891/24-verbs-for-Fisher-Price-Piggy-Bank-round
Square cards (2.5″): http://br.boardmakershare.com/Activity/1912892/24-verbs-for-Fisher-Price-Piggy-Bank-25-inch-sq

Don’t have Boardmaker? Here are the PDF versions:

Data collection sheet: 24 Verbs for the Fisher Price Piggy Bank – Data Collection Sheet

I am NOT planning on attaching these to the plastic coins that come with the piggy bank. That would be fun but would require several extra sets of those coins and would not fit well to the rapid pace I often use to keep kids with Autism, ADHD and other special needs engaged. These are sized to fit the slot at the top of the original version of this toy….. (see more details on the original post with a free printable for 60 nouns: https://omazingkidsllc.com/2016/04/20/free-printable-60-early-vocabulary-cards-for-the-fisher-price-laugh-learn-piggy-bank/).

{FREE Printable} 60 early vocabulary cards for the Fisher Price Laugh & Learn Piggy Bank

Posted on April 20, 2016 by OMazing Kids

I have several patients who have meltdowns at the sight of typical flashcards but magically participate in naming pics as we feed them into the Fisher Price Piggy Bank. So I made these in Boardmaker today so I’ll have an easy grab-and-go set of early vocabulary cards / coins without having to dig through the materials closet at work. I saved them out on Boardmaker Share so they are free for anyone who has Boardmaker to download as a free printable:

Circle cards: http://br.boardmakershare.com/Activity/1912790/60-early-vocabulary-for-Fisher-Price-Piggy-Bank
Square 2.5″ cards: http://br.boardmakershare.com/Activity/1912791/60-early-vocabulary-for-Fisher-Price-Piggy-Bank

Don’t have Boardmaker? Here are PDF versions:

Circle cards: 60 early vocabulary for Fisher Price Piggy Bank (round) – PDF
Square 2.5″ cards: 60 early vocabulary for Fisher Price Piggy Bank (2.5 inch square) – PDF

Here is the data collection sheet that I made:

Data Collection sheet PDF: https://omazingkidsyoga.files.wordpress.com/2016/04/60-vocabulary-cards-for-fisher-price-piggy-bank-data-collection-sheet.pdf

I am NOT planning on attaching these to the plastic coins that come with the piggy bank. That would be fun but would require several extra sets of those coins and would not fit well to the rapid pace I often use to keep kids with Autism, ADHD and other special needs engaged. These are sized to fit the slot at the top of the original version of this toy. Not sure why Fisher Price keeps messing with restyling this toy…. The original version is nice and sturdy. I’ve had mine about 10 years and it has withstood constant use with patients with pretty extreme behaviors. Definitely worth looking for at garage sales or thrift shops.

UPDATE: Head over to this new post for 24 verb cards: https://omazingkidsllc.com/2016/04/23/free-printable-24-verbs-for-the-fisher-price-laugh-learn-piggy-bank/

Don’t have the Fisher Price Piggy Bank? You could really use any toy that has a large enough slot or opening. I also have a Fisher Price Cookie Jar and call the cards “cookies” when I use it. There is a vintage Playskool mailbox still hanging around in the toy closet at work. When I’ve used it, I call the cards “letters”. And the Woozle from the Feed the Woozle game is fun to use with older kids. Be creative. You likely already have old toys that you can re-purpose to entice kids into participating 🙂

repurpose other toys

https://omazingkidsllc.com/2013/07/13/woozles-galore-romping-into-speech-language-kids-yoga-with-the-feed-the-woozle-game-by-peaceable-kingdom/

A word about using props like this in therapy….. Of course I don’t want kids to only name pics in the context of having a specific toy or prop present. So I may use a variety of props and then have a well thought out plan for how I will fade out the props. This is especially important when working with kids with Autism. It is also important to use a variety of examples. So these would not be the only pictures I would use to teach this vocabulary.
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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
Home E-Mail: amoorad1@juno.com
Facebook Messaging for OMazing Kids: https://www.facebook.com/messages/17426452595789
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/OMazingKidsYoga
AppPeeps Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/OMazingKidsAppPeeps/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/amoorad
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/amoorad1
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/OMazingKids/
Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/110305433538768736741
Boardmaker Share: http://www.boardmakershare.com/Community/FriendsProfile/10916/Angela-Moorad
Blog: http://omazingkidsllc.com
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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 26 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.
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{please ignore any ads that may appear below. This is a free blog and I don’t have any control over ads nor do I profit from them}

3 Favorite Toys: Wonder Wheel, Ball Mountain & Ball Drop Tower

Posted on February 21, 2016 by OMazing Kids

As I was organizing my stash of therapy toys I noticed that the last 3 toys I bought all have similar sensory properties. Most of the kids on my caseload have Autism and it is always an adventure to find things to spark their interest enough for them to engage and communicate. With over 25 years experience as a SLP under my belt I’ve gotten pretty good at spotting toys with features that many of my patients with Autism will LOVE 😉

The Wonder Wheel has been great for targeting go/stop, fast/slow, on/off (the suction cup is a little difficult for most kids to remove from the table with out help). It has also been a fave with one of my patients who has a visual impairment. It has a very pleasant sound similar to a rainstick.

The wooden one has been named “ball mountain” by one of my patients. It has been magical to watch his play evolve over several session from self exploration -> tolerating an adult to sit near him -> showing enjoyment with an adult sitting near him -> him imitating inviting an adult to play with him -> him spontaneously inviting an adult to play with him and sustaining several minutes of joint attention during play. The bell has a very pleasant sensory-friendly tone.

The ball drop tower set was quite a bargain when I found one that came with a set of two priced similarly to a single. Great for targeting short/tall, go/stop, on/off, together/apart, more, roll, through, around, down, hole and colors. The balls have tiny balls inside them with a faint rainstick-like sound. This one had so many language opportunities that I made symbols for it for PECS and Aided Language Stimulation. I keep symbols in the container with that toy so they are always available. When a particular patients shows interest in that toy then I add those symbols to their PECS book, AAC app or AAC device.

Here is a PDF of those symbols. The larger symbol is what I put on the outside of the toy storage container: Ball Drop Tower – free printable symbols for PECS or for Aided Language Stimulation – from OMazing Kids

I bought all 3 on Amazon:

Sassy Wonder Wheel Activity Center: http://www.amazon.com/Sassy-Wonder-Wheel-Activity-Center/dp/B004AHMCKA
Hape – Totally Amazing Roller Derby Rolling Maze (“ball mountain”). I got it when it was 50% off: http://www.amazon.com/Hape-Totally-Amazing-Roller-Rolling/dp/B00I6N13AE
Ball Drop Tower: http://www.amazon.com/Drop-Educational-Family-Toddler-higher/dp/B0129RFLDW. At the time of this post it appears that the one I purchased is no longer in stock. But there are several other similar options.

#SLPeeps #over25YearsExperienceWorkingWithKidsWithAutism #LoveShoppingOnAmazon #SLPblogger

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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
Home E-Mail: amoorad1@juno.com
Facebook Messaging for OMazing Kids: https://www.facebook.com/messages/17426452595789
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/OMazingKidsYoga
AppPeeps Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/OMazingKidsAppPeeps/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/amoorad
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/amoorad1
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/OMazingKids/
Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/110305433538768736741
Boardmaker Share: http://www.boardmakershare.com/Community/FriendsProfile/10916/Angela-Moorad
Blog: http://omazingkidsllc.com
.
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 25 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.
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{Please ignore any ads that may appear below. This is a free blog. I have no control over ads nor do I profit from them}

OMazing Kids AAC Consulting

Angela Moorad, MS, CCC-SLP. Over 33 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

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