Tag Archives: Smarty Ears App Review

{App Review} Two more Smarty Ears faves: Social Quest & Reading Comprehension Camp

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{App Review} Two more Smarty Ears faves: Social Quest & Reading Comprehension Camp

I’m always excited to add more Smarty Ears apps to my SLP toolbox so I was thrilled to be able to try out these two:

* Social Quest by Smarty Ears, https://appsto.re/us/U6tjH.i, $21.99

I liked the wide variety of social situations included, the situations are sorted by common location a child may encounter, both the situation and potential answers can be read aloud with high quality voiceovers (but each can be toggled off if you want the child to read them on their own), the settings options for errorless teaching and sensory-friendly set up (with options for a simple interface & to toggle off the audio guide and buzzing sound), the app is built around the concept of “flexible thinking” (that there is not just one right answer in a situation), that you have tap and hold to exit the scenario (great in preventing “tap happy” kids from exiting), in-app video tutorial and the cool adventure quest theme of the app. Since most of the patients on my caseload have Autism, this app is going to be a very helpful tool in my therapy toolbox!

Wishes for a future app update:
– It would be nice to be able to e-mail a report for a specific session rather than a cumulative list of all of the data.
– It would be nice to have more specific information included in the data regarding the questions the child missed.
– It would be nice to be able to delete data for a specific student without having to delete the whole user.

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– More than 800 questions across receptive and expressive activities
– A wide selection of specific locations and corresponding social contexts to work on
– Multiplayer capabilities: each game can support from 1 to 4 players
– Each player can select multiple social contexts.
– Receptive Activity in which students identify correct answers to a social question
(presented with text, audio, and accompanying image).
– Ability to customize the receptive activity to require student to provide one or two
correct answers to modify level of difficulty. Having to find both correct answers is a great beginning step for promoting flexible thinking. Only finding one correct answer is a good scaffolding tool for a student who is not yet at that higher level.
– Expressive Activity in which students respond to open-ended questions corresponding to those asked in Receptive Activity. Expressive questions are worded more broadly to promote generalization of skills. The adult working with the student marks “correct”, “almost”, or “incorrect” each time the student responds. The app allows the student to respond multiple times to the same question before proceeding with the “next” button. This is a great tool for working on flexible thinking and encouraging a student to think of multiple possibilities on how to deal with a particular social situation.
– Data and report card kept on each student, report can be printed or emailed to parent or self for record-keeping
– Ability to add student photo or avatar to represent each player in the game

See more about the app: http://smartyearsapps.com/service/social-quest/

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* Reading Comprehension Camp by Smarty Ears, https://appsto.re/us/Hz3vJ.i, $19.99

This app is very well designed. I love the illustrations and interesting short story content, the settings options for errorless teaching and special need-friendly set up (with options to toggle off the buzzing sound, to toggle off the score awards on the stories, options to adjust the size of the image & the size of the text), the option to select the types of questions to include in the quiz, the option to hide the picture and/or story text in quiz (but I love that the default is that both are visible), the option to tap on a speaker button to have the quiz question read aloud and the option to have a “hint” by highlighting the part of the story that contains the answer when taking the quiz (and if a hint is used that is noted in the data collection). The ability to create your own stories makes this a great app to target lots of language goals.

Wishes for a future app update:
– It would be nice to be able to select the quiz questions before reading the story and allow the student to preview the questions selected since this is a common strategy used to help kids who struggled with reading or listening comprehension. If this option is added and they have “previewed” the quiz ahead of the story, it would be good for this to be indicated in the data.
– It would be nice to have the option to have the quiz answer options highlighted and read aloud.
– It would be nice to be able to e-mail a report for a specific session rather than a cumulative list of all of the data.
– It would be nice to be able to delete data for a specific student without having to delete the whole user.

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– The app contains 50 engaging and entertaining stories divided into 5 levels with 10 stories per level. Level 1 is designed for early readers (2nd-3rd grade); while level 5, with a readability level of 6th-7th grade, is designed for older students.

– Each story has an associated quiz to check for comprehension. Within the quiz, there are 11 types of questions available. The adult can determine if all questions will be asked, or select a certain type of question. The question types available include: who, what, where, when, why, how, inferences, cause & effect, compare & contrast, sequencing, and vocabulary & context.

See more about the app: http://smartyearsapps.com/service/reading-comprehension-camp/
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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
Facebook Messaging for OMazing Kids:
http://m.me/OMazingKidsYoga
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/OMazingKidsYoga
AppPeeps Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/OMazingKidsAppPeeps/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/amoorad
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/omazingkids
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 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.

{Five Faves} Five of my favorite apps by Smarty Ears: Phono Learning Center, Minimal Pairs Academy, Fun & Functional, Go-Togethers & Basic Concepts Skills Screener

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{Five Faves} Five of my favorite apps by Smarty Ears: Phono Learning Center, Minimal Pairs Academy, Fun & Functional, Go-Togethers & Basic Concepts Skills Screener.

I’m sure by now all of my SLPeeps have heard of Smarty Ears apps. They have a large line of apps specifically designed for SLPs by SLPs. This post is highlighting five of my faves chosen because they each meet a unique need. My comments are based on the features available in the most recent version of the app in the USA App Store at the time of this post. The cool thing about apps is that dependable app developers continue to improve apps over time based on the feedback that they receive from users and release updates to keep apps compatible with the latest iOS operating system.

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Phono Learning Center by Smarty Ears
https://appsto.re/us/aqv6M.i

How it’s unique: Specifically designed for using the Cycles Approach when working with kids with very poor intelligibility and several phonological process disorders.

In depth info: http://smartyearsapps.com/service/phono-learning-center/

Here’s what I love about this app:
* All of the target words were carefully selected for each sound level with co-articulation and facilitation considered.
* Easy user set up.
* If using the Cycles hierarchy, only one process at a time may be targeted. Targets are easily changed by editing the profile. If you chose not to be restricted to the Cycles hierarchy, it is possible to target multiple sounds at once.
* You can change the scoring style. The Standard scoring is incorrect, almost correct, and correct (or missed, almost, and got it). The Level of Prompts scoring incorporates the errorless learning theory suggested in the Cycles technique. With this style, it is expected for the student to be nearly 100% accurate and the level of prompts is used to mark if the word was produced prompted, imitated, or spontaneously correct.
* Includes an auditory bombardment activity
* Includes four game activities (inflating a hot air balloon, matching, shooting hoops with crumpled paper & filling in a jigsaw puzzle) and it’s very easy to switch between them without having to start over. Kids with severe phonological disorders can be challenging to engage in speech therapy so game-based activities like these are worth their weight in gold. Ever had a patient have earth shattering meltdowns at even the sight of traditional flashcards? You seriously need to consider other ways to entice engagement and this is a fabulous tool to have in your speechie toolbox.
* Single and multiplayer options
* Data collection and reports
* Lots of free printable homework sheets
* My wishes for a future app update are adding an option to slow down the pace of the auditory bombardment & make it more obvious when a target has been selected by either having a check or a darker highlighting around that item. It would also be nice to be able to see specific items missed in the user reports, to be able to share a report from a specific session and to be able to delete data from a particular session without having to delete the user.

Video tutorial:

More info about the Cycles Approach:

How to Use the Cycles Approach for Speech Therapy

Click to access ebp_v5_article2_old.pdf

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Minimal Pairs Academy by Smarty Ears
https://appsto.re/us/oVi1C.i

How it’s unique: Targeting phonological processes via minimal contrast pairs.

In depth info: http://smartyearsapps.com/service/minimal-pairs-academy/

Here’s what I love about this app:
* Easy user set up.
* Includes auditory bombardment, auditory discrimination, production (large card facing up that has the target word and a smaller card facing down that has the corresponding minimal pair) & fill in the blank phrases.
* Targets lots of different phonological processes (cluster reduction, deaffrication, devoicing, final consonant deletion, fronting, gliding, initial consonant deletion, prevocalic voicing, stopping & stridency deletion – many broken out into sub-categories) with the option to edit lists within each to deselect particular word pairs.
* In-app recording option
* Single and multiplayer options
* Data collection and reports
* My wishes for a future app update would be the addition of printable worksheets like those available in Phono Learning Center and a mini reinforcer game. It would also be nice to be able to see specific items missed in the user reports, to be able to share a report from a specific session and to be able to delete data from a particular session without having to delete the user.

Video:

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Fun & Functional by Smarty Ears
https://appsto.re/us/rskUD.i

How it’s unique: Goes beyond your typical name or identify vocabulary apps to get kids to think about the function or use of common items in the context of Wh-questions.

In depth info: http://smartyearsapps.com/service/fun-functional/

Here’s what I love about this app:
* Targets receptive and expressive language skills. Great options in settings area select to do just receptive, just expressive or alternate between them.
* Easy user set up
* Option to adjust the field of choices (2, 3 or 4) in receptive activities
* Options for setting what happens when an incorrect answer is selected (keep going, remove the item or buzz)
* Several categories with the option to toggle each on/off
* Option to select receptive vocabulary that is less similar to make the activity less challenging or more similar to make it more challenging
* Data collection and reports with basic info.
* My wishes for a future app update would be to have the option to toggle off the “yeah” auditory feedback on correct answers (it gets a little over stimulating after awhile) & to add a multiuser option to this app to make it more useful in groups. It would also be nice to be able to see specific items missed in the user reports, to be able to share a report from a specific session and to be able to delete data from a particular session without having to delete the user.

Video tutorial:

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Go-Togethers by Smarty Ears
https://appsto.re/us/FfRGE.i

How it’s unique: Targets the ability to identify and generate words that “go together” in semantic associations (a critical language skill that relates to vocabulary and word retrieval)

In depth info: http://smartyearsapps.com/service/togethers/

Here’s what I love about this app:
* Easy user set up
* Lots of categories of vocabulary and the option to select just the ones you want included. Easier categories are in Level 1 & more challenging ones on Level 2.
* The receptive activity can be done by either drawing a line with your finger to the correct answer(s) or tapping them. Some kids have difficulty swiping in a specific direction on the iPad so it’s helpful to have tapping as an option.
* The expressive activity includes scoring options for the child naming items that go with the pictured item separately from telling why
* The ability to delete data for a particular session without having to delete that user.
* My wishes for a future app update would be an easier to read font for the users names, add the option to toggle off the auditory feedback on correct answers (it gets a little over stimulating after awhile), add a multiuser option to this app to make it more useful in groups, make it more obvious on how to get to the category lists in the settings area and to be able to share a report from a specific session.

Video tutorial:

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Basic Concepts Skills Screener by Smarty Ears
https://appsto.re/us/I1h8N.i

How it’s unique: It’s an awesome quick way to assess understanding of basic concepts and is especially helpful for kids who are too old for standardized tests targeting those concepts.

In depth info: http://smartyearsapps.com/service/basic-concepts-skills-screener/

Here’s what I love about this app:
* Motivating format for assessing understanding of basic concepts
* No negative feedback is provided. The user gets the same feedback regardless of their answer.
* The app will not progress to the next screen until the NEXT button in the bottom right corner has been tapped. The picture that is selected when the NEXT button is tapped is the one that is scored. If no picture is selected when the NEXT button is tapped, a pop-up message will show explaining that there must be a selection made.
* The display in the corner lets you know that you have completed ____ of ______ items.
* The report provides a wealth of details about specific items missed, data by type of concept (comparative, quantitative, spatial, temporal) & percent by typical age of mastery (age 3, 4, 5 & 6)
* Options to do a quick screening (30 items) or a full screening (79 items). I always pick the full screening and can easily get it done in one session. But if needed, you can save the screening and continue later.
* My wishes for a future app update would be to make a couple of the images a little clearer (ex: beginning to grow – the plant in the hand is too similar to the smallest one in the ground; old – very few of my patients have tapped on the picture of the elderly man. I have wondered if it may be due to that Smarty Symbol not having clothes and the other 3 do) and to add the option to either turn off the auditory feedback when a selection has been tapped or to make it quieter (it can be a little over stimulating for some patients but I don’t want to turn down the sound on the iPad due to that impacting the loudness of the voiceovers on the testing prompts).

This app is seriously one of the most used on my iPad. I work with kids up to 21 years of age and most are not functioning anywhere near their age level. This app has come in very helpful in identifying gaps in understanding of basic concepts so treatment can be more specifically targeted.

Video tutorial:


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Disclaimer: I received all 5 of these apps via promo codes from the developer. No compensation was received to review them and my opinions are strictly my own.
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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)

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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.

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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.

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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:

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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.

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A few screenshots (tap each to enlarge):

Articulation Test Center

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Sunny

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iTap

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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”.

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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}

{Smarty Ears App Giveaway & Review}: Go Sequencing iPad app

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Go Sequencing App Review & Giveaway

Smarty Ears apps are some of my faves as a busy SLP. I can count on them to be well designed & to be customizable to meet the needs of a wide variety of patients. Here are some of the features that make this new Go Sequencing app great:

  • Includes 13 Levels and 3-step, 4-step, 5-step and 6-Step Sequences with varying levels of complexity within each of those.
  • Placeholders for the sequence pics. This makes it clear that there is a specific spot to drag the pics to.
  • The sequences are kid-friendly and you can customize the sequence database by toggling on/off specific activity sequences.
  • Option to set up multiple users & track data. You can use the app with 1 to 5 users at a time and each user can be at a different level.
  • Includes three languages: English, Spanish, and Portuguese.
  • The option to create your own custom sequences. This will be great for including pictures of high interest items for that particular child and sequences that are meaningful in the context of their daily routines.
  • Lots of customization settings.
  • Multicultural illustrations & high quality voiceover.

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Here are a few screenshots from inside the app to give you a feel for it:

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I only ran into two things that were small concerns as I tested out the app on my iPad Air running iOS 8.4. I’ve already messaged them to the app developer and am guessing that they can be easily fixed in a future app update:

  • I couldn’t add a user photo. Of course I can still use the avatars but many of my patients love seeing themselves within an app. I tried a hard reboot on my iPad but it didn’t resolve the issue. I don’t know if this is an issue on other versions of the iOS operating system. (I am specifically holding off on updating my main therapy iPad to iOS 9 until Apple works out the issues with Guided Access and all of my AAC apps have been update to be compatible).
  • When dragging the final step into a sequence the last part of the voiceover is cut off by the “very good” feedback. It would be nice for the voiceover to finish playing before the feedback plays. The same thing happens when tapping a picture before the voiceover is finished on the one before it.

That’s one of my favorite things about apps. Good app developers are open to feedback and are quick to roll out updates to fix them. They also often add new app content. Where else do you buy something and then get free updates to the newest version? Cool huh?!

Read all about the app on their website: http://smartyearsapps.com/service/sequencing/

App Tutorial: https://vimeo.com/135357898

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giveaway

Want a chance to win a copy of this fabulous new app? Head over to this post on the OMazing Kids Facebook page. The giveaway is being hosted there: https://www.facebook.com/OMazingKidsYoga/photos/a.562317480485928.1073741841.174264525957894/1030260393691632/?type=3&theater

I have 1 iOS code to giveaway. (https://appsto.re/us/T0KP7.i, $14.99 -> currently reduced to $10.99, iPad only).

Entry Deadline: Sunday, 11/8/15, at 6:00pm CST. Depending on the number of entries received, it may take a day or so to verify them and to announce the winner & distribute the code to them via Facebook Messaging.

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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: 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 and tech products to use with kids of all abilities.

 

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