AAC & Apple Books in Split View on an iPad (Global Accessibility Awareness Day 2023)

Posted on May 18, 2023 by OMazing Kids

Image ID: Screenshot showing the Proloquo AAC app in Split View alongside the Apple Books app with the book “A Day With No Words” by Tiffany Hammond. Includes a notation to tap the three tiny dots to access Split View.

AAC apps that offer full support of Split View / Split Screen offer the opportunity for greater accessibility and access than AAC apps that don’t support this. Why does this matter? There are many adult AAC users who multitask with their tech. But this isn’t just a feature that benefits adults. Here is an example of how I’m using the Proloquo app by AssistiveWare alongside the Apple Books app with “A Day With No Words” by Tiffany Hammond (Fidgets and Fries). I also own a hardcover copy of this same book and loved it so much that I decided to purchase the ebook version in Apple Books to offer another means of access and use (both alongside AAC and separately).

My only “wish” is that iPad Accessibility – Spoken Content – Speak Screen was able to properly detect the text in picture books. I tried it in both Apple Books and the preview in the Kindle for iPad app. Both weren’t able to perceive the text separately from the gorgeous illustrations. Which I wouldn’t trade the stylized text in this book for that. I just wish there was something behind the scenes that made this type of text accessible. (Hey Apple & Amazon Kindle if you happen to read this… please make it so.)

https://books.apple.com/us/book/a-day-with-no-words/id6448319163

A Day With No Words, Hardcover: https://a.co/d/0P5a6Mw. Also available on Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C59KD7SR but I highly suggest the Apple Books version instead. See my video for a comparison:

Global Accessibility Awareness Day: https://www.facebook.com/globalaccessibilityawarenessday

#GAAD

#GlobalAccessibilityAwarenessDay

Looking for info about which AAC apps fully support Split View / Split Screen and lots of other important features? Check out these resources:

iOS Symbol-Based: https://bit.ly/SymbolBasedAACapps

iOS Text-Based: https://bit.ly/TextBasedAACapps

Visual Scenes & Video Visual Scenes: https://bit.ly/AACvsd

AAC Feature Matching Resource Bundle (includes all three, save 10%): https://bit.ly/aacFeatureMatchingBundle

Basic Feature Chart for Affordable and Free AAC apps & AAC-Related Apps (iOS, Android Google Play, Amazon Fire, Windows + a few Web-Based options): https://bit.ly/BasicAffordableAACchart

Robust Android AAC (Android Google Play & Amazon Fire): https://bit.ly/RobustAndroidAACappChart

The perfect companion to supplement these in-depth resources are the “AAC Apps and Features At-a-Glance (Single Page Handouts)”: https://bit.ly/AAC-At-a-Glance

Updated 5/25/23:

Excited to discover that there’s a way to do Split View on my Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite tablet. This is the Android version of Avaz alongside “A Day With No Words” by Tiffany Hammond (Fidgets and Fries).

Guess what… there’s a way to do Split Screen on an Amazon Fire tablet too. This is the CoreVoice app. Be watching for a video tutorial soon 🎦

Have a question? The best way to reach me is via Facebook messaging over on my OMazing Kids page: https://www.facebook.com/OMazingKidsAAC/

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

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OMazing Kids Book Review: Why Johnny Doesn’t Flap: NT is OK! by Clay Morton & Gail Morton

Posted on February 20, 2016 by OMazing Kids

Why Johnny Doesn't Flap - book review

Why Johnny Doesn’t Flap: NT is OK!

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Johnny is different. He is never exactly on time, he can’t seem to stick to a routine and he often speaks in cryptic idioms. Johnny is neurotypical, but that’s OK. A picture book with a difference, Why Johnny Doesn’t Flap turns the tables on common depictions of neurological difference by drolly revealing how people who are not on the autistic spectrum are perceived by those who are. The autistic narrator’s bafflement at his neurotypical friend’s quirks shows that ‘normal’ is simply a matter of perspective.
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What I love about this book: This book is a witty change in perspective and is a great addition to my special needs acceptance & awareness library! It can be used to help kids who are neurologically diverse to understand and appreciate each other. I love that this kids picture book is written from the perspective of a child with Autism and that the character is accepting of his neurotypical friend despite their differences. The “A Note for Parents” page has helpful tips for parents as they read the book with their child.

A peek at a couple of pages inside the book:

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• Age Range: 4 – 8 years
• Grade Level: Preschool – 3
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Jessica Kingsley Publishers; 1 edition (October 21, 2015)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1849057214
• ISBN-13: 978-1849057219
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 0.3 x 8.4 inches

Available for purchase at: http://www.amazon.com/Why-Johnny-Doesnt-Flap-NT/dp/1849057214
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nt.is.ok/

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About the authors:
Clay Morton is Associate Professor of English and Director of the Honors Program at Middle Georgia State University. Gail Morton (MLIS) is a Public Services Librarian at Mercer University. Clay and Gail research issues of neurodiversity, particularly in relation to higher education. They are parents to a child with autism and are both advocates for the neurodiversity movement.

Check out this video review for the book by Autistic Genius. I had wondered what older individuals with Autism would think of the book.

‪#‎AutismAcceptance‬ #Neurodiversity
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I only post reviews for books that I have in my personal library. If you are an author of a book or resource geared towards helping kids understand special needs and would like me to review your work OR if you have questions about any of the resources I have listed on my blog, the best way to reach me is via Facebook Messaging on my OMazing Kids Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/messages/174264525957894. (My e-mail is listed below but I am getting tons of spam mail due to using that account for social media and blogging…. to the point that I may not receive the e-mail or it being buried among the spam.)
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Disclaimer: I received a free sample of this product to facilitate my review. Opinions expressed are 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
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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 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}

Amazing new FREE app: Sesame Street and Autism

Posted on October 21, 2015 by OMazing Kids

Wow! I’m very impressed with this! Get amazing resources for kids & parents in this new FREE app: Sesame Street and Autism
https://appsto.re/us/MCg48.i

Also available online at: http://autism.sesamestreet.org. I didn’t see an Android version of the app yet but my guess is that it will be released soon.

I love that they have presented a well-balanced view of Autism…. both the positives & the challenges. Also love seeing several real life examples of AAC use. Excited to see AAC use out in the mainstream media 🙂

Love, love, love this new song:

MP3:

More about the project: http://www.people.com/article/sesame-street-introduces-autistic-muppet

The story behind why this new Sesame Street Autism initiative is so awesome… they took the time to include Autism self-advocates in the process of developing it!

The Autistic Self Advocacy Network, ASAN, is proud to be a partner in Sesame Workshop’s “Sesame Street and Autism: See Amazing in All Children” initiative. Over the past year, ASAN has worked closely with Sesame Workshop to ensure that the initiative and its materials are positive, respectful, and promote real understanding and acceptance of autistic people. The See Amazing initiative represents an important step forward in public conversations aimed at autism, one focused on celebrating all kinds of minds.”

ASAN Statement on Sesame Workshop’s “See Amazing” Initiative

https://www.facebook.com/AutisticAdvocacy

More cool behind the scenes info: http://autism-daddy.blogspot.com/2015/10/sesame-street-autism-my-2-worlds.html

Why is the new Sesame Street character is a girl? How did they choose the traits she would have?

“Children with autism vary in their traits significantly: some can talk, while others can’t. Many of them are sensitive to noise. Some have trouble keeping eye contact, and many of them experience the world differently, so they’ll touch different objects to explore the sensation of texture. Perhaps because of this range, autism is also extremely controversial. While some organizations, such as Autism Speaks, consider autism a syndrome that calls for research to help mitigate its effects, others, such as the Autism Self-Advocacy Network, simply view autism as an alternative way of expressing oneself….”

Read the whole post at: http://www.latimes.com/local/education/community/la-me-edu-sesame-street-autistic-muppet-girl-julia-20151022-htmlstory.html

‪#‎SeeAmazing‬
‪#‎AACawareness‬
‪#‎Autism‬
‪#‎SpecialNeeds‬

Looking for more app info? Come on over to my OMazing Kids Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/OMazingKidsYoga & my AppPeeps Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/OMazingKidsAppPeeps/
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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/
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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.

A peek inside my special needs acceptance & awareness library….

Posted on July 11, 2015 by OMazing Kids

One of the frequent requests I receive is for suggestions regarding resources to help kids understand & appreciate special needs. The reason why I have a variety of resources for this is that there is no “one size fits all” resource. Some of the books in my library are geared towards group or classroom settings (but can also be modified for individual use). Some are geared towards specific special needs. Some are more subtle with general themes of respect, compassion & caring. Some are new and some have been in my library since I started my career as a SLP over 25 years ago. My library is frequently expanding but here’s what it includes at the moment:

A Rainbow of Friends by P.K. Hallinan
All Kinds of Friends by Ellen B. Senisi
ASD and Me: Learning About High Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder by Teresa DeMars
Can I Tell You About Autism?: A guide for friends, family and professionals by Jude Welton
Do-si-Do with Autism Friendship Kit by Sarah Stup
How Katie Got a Voice (and a cool nickname) by Patricia L. Mervine, SLP
I Like Birthdays…. It’s the parties I’m not sure about! by Laurie Renke
Ian’s Walk: A Story About Autism by Laurie Lears
In Jesse’s Shoes: Appreciating Kids With Special Needs by Beverly Lewis
Leah’s Voice by Lori DeMonia
Love for Logan by Lori DeMonia
Meet the Beaker Kids: A book for anyone who’s ever had “enough” by Shanna Philipson
Show You Understand: Learning about Compassion and Caring by Regina G. Burch
Someone Special Just Like You by Tricia Brown
Sometimes My Brother: Helping Kids Understand Autism Through a Sibling’s Eyes by Angie Healy
Special People, Special Ways by Arlene Maguire
The Autism Acceptance Book: Being a Friend to Someone with Autism by Ellen Sabin
The One and Only Special Me by Rozanne Lanczak Williams
The Special Needs Acceptance Book: Being a Friend to Someone with Special Needs by Ellen Sabin
This is Gabriel Making Sense of School: A Book About Sensory Processing Disorder by Hartley Steiner
We Can Do It! by Laura Dwight

I only have listed books that I have in my personal library. If you are an author of a book or resource geared towards helping kids understand special needs and would like me to review your work OR if you have questions about any of the resources I have listed, the best way to reach me is via Facebook Messaging on my OMazing Kids Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/messages/174264525957894.

(My e-mail is listed below but I am getting tons of spam mail due to using that account for social media and blogging…. to the point that I may not receive the e-mail or it being buried among the spam.)

Angela Moorad, MS, CCC-SLP, IAYT, RCYP-2

Speech-Language Pathologist

Founder of OMazing Kids, LLC – inclusive wellness activities for kids of all abilities

Radiant Child Yoga Certified – Levels 1 & 2

E-Mail: amoorad1@juno.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/OMazingKidsYoga

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Blog: http://omazingkidsllc.com

OMazing Kids LLC is an organization that promotes inclusive wellness activities for kids of all abilities. The blog and social media pages share information about books, DVD’s, CD’s, games and other products specifically designed for kids wellness, mindfulness and relaxation, product reviews & giveaways, lesson plan & activity ideas, research, kids wellness in the news and a connection corner with listings of individuals doing adapted yoga and those offering trainings.

NOTE: Please ignore any ads that appear below the crayons divider bar or any ads or unusual hyperlinks that may appear above. This is a free blog site & I have no control over ads appearing here.

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Music to Promote Acceptance & Love for Kids of All Abilities

Posted on April 2, 2013 by OMazing Kids

See the story behind “Love Me For Who I Am”….

“Like” Brady Rymer and the Little Band That Could & Celebrate The Children School on Facebook.

Listen to & purchase their great music. This beautiful album honors kids of all abilities with themes that resonate particularly well for kids with Autism Spectrum Disorders or Sensory Processing Disorder:

See the lyrics & artwork at: http://www.bradyrymer.com/grammy2011/interactive/

love me for wh I am lyrics

April is Autism Awareness & Acceptance Month. Inclusion, acceptance & love should be practiced every day…. but months like this are a good opportunity to raise awareness & then go beyond awareness to building programs, services & communities that support individuals of ALL abilities and needs ♥