Tag Archives: special needs

Niki Talk Apps: What’s new, several AAC apps & special needs apps

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It’s been exciting to see several new apps release recently from Alessandro La Rocca. He is an independent special needs & AAC app developer who has a good history of creating and supporting/maintaining apps in the App Store since 2012. Some of his apps are also available for Android and Amazon Fire.

AAC apps:

Niki Talk 2 Pro, https://apps.apple.com/us/app/niki-talk-2-pro/id1566543803 (iPad only, iPadOS 12.0 or later. Most recent update: 12/19/21, version 2.0.4. Price: $89.99)

General info: http://www.nikitalk.com/Talk2.aspx

Additional info about the features in this fairly robust AAC app:

• Vocabulary organization: Topic & Category Based (can be Pragmatic or Motor Planning if building own boards)

• Grid sizes: Pre-made Core 12 (4×3) & Core 24 (6×4 grid) page sets in eight different languages. Size Options (when editing or creating, column x row): 1, 2×1 (2), 3×1 (3), 2×2 (4), 3×2 (6), 4×2 (8), 3×3 (9), 4×3 (12), 5×3 (15), 4×4 (16), 5×4 (20), 6×4 (24), 5×5 (25), 6×5 (30), 7×5 (35), 6×6 (36), 7×6 (42), 7×7 (49), 8×6 (48), 8×7 (56), 8×8 (64)

• Navigation to get to a word: Depends on board size (Core 24: most 2-3 hits, some fringe 4 hits)

• Grammar support: Basic verb tenses: past, present, future (no -ing, no plural or possessive word endings)

• Keyboard: Keyboard button can always be available on the Side Bar on left side of the screen. Can be toggled off in the app settings. Uses the iOS iPad keyboard which allows use of keyboard extension apps. The typical iOS keyboard word prediction doesn’t work within the app but you can have word prediction if you are using an alternative iOS keyboard extension app that has word prediction built into it (ex: Keedogo Plus, SuperKeys, SwiftKey)

• Hide/Show buttons: Advanced Editing – “select all” (then tap individual buttons to deselect any you don’t want hidden) – Edit – Visible (toggle off to hide, toggle on to unhide)

• Has a Search feature

• Pre-made Core 12 & Core 24 page sets for: English (some editing needed for USA English), German, Spanish, French, Hungarian, Italian, Portuguese, Swedish. There aren’t any pre-made page sets for larger grid sizes or in the other languages that have an iOS voice but you could build them. ** Update: A Search feature was added in the update on 1/25/22 so finding where vocabulary is stored will be easy.

• iOS text to speech voices for the following languages: Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hungarian, Italian, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Slovakian, Spanish, and Swedish. Defaults to language being used on that iPad but can choose a specific language under Settings – User

• Can use recorded voice

• Button action to play a video. Works great to play videos saved to the iPad’s Camera Roll. Can also play linked YouTube videos (opens in a popup within the app but there is an unsecured link that will take you out to YouTube. Guided Access did NOT block this so it is very important to understand the risks of linking to YouTube videos especially for young children. The separate Niki Play app is another option for playing videos is a secure way (see info below).

• Backup & Sharing: Cloud-based (not a way to back it up other than Share to upload it, get a Share Code and then use that code before it expires to download the page set)

Free lite version: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/niki-talk-2/id1543678617. (No voice output (no text to speech voices or voice recording output), only 1 user area, the Les Pictogrammes symbols aren’t included)

Niki Talk, https://apps.apple.com/us/app/niki-talk/id556798417 (iOS Universal, iOS 10.0 or later. Most recent update: 10/6/20 (version 2.0.1). Price: Free but needs to be used with the Niki Designer website in order to do editing. Free trial. See pricing on the website: http://www.nikitalk.com/Designer.aspx). This is a much older AAC app that looks like a communication binder with Velcro strips. It’s for very basic communication. Can send a text message including the symbols. Also available on Android & Amazon Fire. More info: http://www.nikitalk.com/Talk.aspx

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Niki Scene Pro, https://apps.apple.com/us/app/niki-scene-pro/id1597894942 (iPad only, iPadOS 12.0 or later. Most recent update: 12/19/21 (version 1.0.3). Price: $6.99. This new app hasn’t been added to their website yet. See their Facebook page and this video:

Additional info about the features in this very affordable and intuitive/easy to use Visual Scene Display AAC app:

• Import picture from Camera Roll or use iPad camera to take a pic

• Full visual scene with hotspots. Draw hotspots in any shape. 5 color options. Dotted or solid line.

• Recorded speech

• Popup Text Label: This is a great Transition to Literacy (T2L) feature: https://bit.ly/3rH50yb. More in-depth research related to T2L: https://bit.ly/3e0IVm4

• Long press on an image on the Home Screen and tap Share and then it generates a sharing code that is active for 3 days. These Share Codes can be used as a way to share your creations with others who have the app. There isn’t a formal way to backup what you create in the app but you could share items, copy the Share Code, and then download those creations onto a new iPad as long as you do it before those codes expire.

• Can toggle off Editing in the Settings and secure Settings with a Passcode

See videos on their YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/YyG9aU0_rDk & https://youtu.be/H2udMzcQg6M

Free lite version: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/niki-scene/id1596964600 (limited to 2 user created scenes)

Niki Buttons, https://apps.apple.com/us/app/niki-buttons/id1572170910, iOS Universal, iOS 10.0 or later. Most recent update: 6/22/21 (version 1.1.0). Price: $3.99. A set of four single message buttons that look like a Big Mack VOCA (voice output communication aid) (blue, green, red, yellow). Tap at bottom of screen to select one. Can add a symbol to the button. Uses recorded speech. This new app hasn’t been added to their website yet. See their Facebook page and this video:

Search on ARASAAC, https://apps.apple.com/us/app/search-on-arasaac/id1599712099, iOS Universal, iOS 12.0 or later. Most recent update: 12/11/21 (version 1.0.0). Free. Allows you to search for free open source symbols of the ARASAAC website and save them to the Camera Roll on your device. Also available for Android. See this Facebook post:

If you go to the ARASAAC website you can edit symbols to change the skin tone and hair color. And then export the pic as a .png (has transparent background) and save it on the Camera Roll to import into any app. https://arasaac.org/pictograms/search.

Other special needs apps:

Speech to Symbol Pro, https://apps.apple.com/us/app/speech-to-symbol-pro/id1571118745 (iOS Universal, iOS 12.0 or later. Most recent update: 10/24/21 (version 1.0.3). Price: $6.99. Note: This is NOT an AAC app. It’s a quick way to create visual supports as you speak. I like being able to customize it to add symbols or pictures. That way everything you speak can have a symbol. You can find more free ARASAAC symbols using the free Search on ARASAAC app. Or by going out to their website. If you go to the website you can even edit symbols to change the skin tone and hair color. And then export the pic as a .png (has transparent background) and save it on the Camera Roll to import into this app. https://arasaac.org/pictograms/search. There’s also the option to tap each symbol or the entire sequence to have them spoken. This turns them into a visual support with voice output.

Free lite version: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/speech-to-symbol/id1571118842)

Niki Music, https://apps.apple.com/us/app/niki-music/id594214788, iOS Universal, iOS 10.0 or later. Most recent update: 9/9/21. Price: $0.99. Nice simple adapted access for music. Long press to add a cover image to a song. Can rearrange the songs while in edit mode. Secured with parental gate. More info: http://www.nikitalk.com/Music.aspx

Niki Play, https://apps.apple.com/us/app/niki-play/id803959942, iOS Universal, iOS 10.0 or later. Most recent update: 6/12/21. Price: $3.99. Niki Play allows kids to enjoy their favorite videos and music independently. Parents can download to import videos directly from YouTube or from the Camera Roll, play songs from the Apple Music library, save voice recordings and pictures. I love that the app is secured with a parental gate, that the app isn’t linking to YouTube (it’s downloading those videos directly for use within the app), has options for 1, 2, 4, 6 or 9 items per screen and offers a way to rearrange the items. More info: http://www.nikitalk.com/Play.aspx

Niki Diary, https://apps.apple.com/us/app/niki-diary/id852210800, iPad only, iPad iOS 12.0 or later. Most recent update: 10/30/21. Price $6.99. A multimedia calendar diary to tell people around them what they did or what they plan to do a certain day using images, videos, text and speech. Can also be used as a memory support. More info: http://www.nikitalk.com/Diary.aspx.

Niki Story, https://apps.apple.com/us/app/niki-story/id634298391, iPad only, iOS 10.0 or later. Most recent update: 9/9/21. Price: $4.99. Multimedia social stories, photo album, talking books, etc… More info: http://www.nikitalk.com/Story.aspx

Niki Agenda, https://apps.apple.com/us/app/niki-agenda/id588716014, iPad only, iOS 8.0 or later. Most recent update: 10/24/17 (it’s been over 4 years since the last update). Price: $5.99. A daily/weekly visual schedule calendar. Separate iPhone version. Also available on Android and Amazon Fire. More info: http://www.nikitalk.com/Agenda.aspx

Niki Time, https://apps.apple.com/us/app/niki-time/id603548493, iPad only, iOS 10.0 or later. Most recent update: 9/9/21. Price: $2.99. A clock/calendar learning tool. More info: http://www.nikitalk.com/Time.aspx

Niki Words, https://apps.apple.com/us/app/niki-words/id743777884, iPad only, iOS 8.0 or later. Most recent update: 9/29/17 (it’s been over 4 years since the last update). Price: $5.99. Fun and Learning with Letters. Includes Play with words (drag the letters to make up the word matching the picture), Crosswords & Magic blackboard. More info: http://www.nikitalk.com/Words.aspx

Morena the Full Belly Whale, https://apps.apple.com/us/app/morena-the-full-belly-whale/id666194664, iPad only, iOS 12.0 or later. Most recent update: 11/6/21 (version 1.1.0). Free. Interactive book app.

Website: http://www.nikitalk.com

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/nikitalkaac/ (be sure to “like” and “follow” for the most up to date info about his apps)

Instagram: https://instagram.com/nikitalkaac (be sure to “follow” for updates about his apps)

YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/user/NikiTalkAAC (be sure to “subscribe” and toggle on “notifications” to see new videos about his apps)

See the personal story behind why he creates apps: http://www.nikitalk.com/About.aspx

Notes:

  • Prices outside of the USA will vary based on the exchange rate
  • Prices are subject to change
  • I used each of these apps on my iPad 8th gen running iOS 14.5 to test out features as I was working on this blog post. I have purposefully not updated to iOS 15 yet due to ongoing reports of problems with it in several AAC and SLP therapy apps . So I have no way to know if there are any issues with any of these apps on iOS 15.0, 15.1 or 15.2.

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

{Dear Apple} If you want to be “special needs friendly”, please do this….

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Dear Apple,

iPads were the best purchase ever as a SLP. If you truly want iPads to be “special needs friendly”, please do this:

  • Maintain consistent sizes on devices. Companies that make cases need consistent sizes over time for them to invest in making cases for them. It has been a challenge to find cases for the iPad Mini 4 & iPad Pro 9.7″

 

  • Please make an iPad Pro Mini. Having the Mini size + the 4 speakers + the enhanced processor speed would make it ideal for most kids who would use it for AAC.

 

  • Please add the visual aspect back to the built in timer in your next update for iOS 10. Very useful for kids with Autism.

Thanks for considering these suggestions!
Angela Moorad, MS, CCC-SLP
OMazing Kids (https://omazingkidsllc.com/)
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This feedback was submitted directly to Apple via their online feedback form on 11/6/16. I’ll keep you posted if I get a response. I have seen rumors of a an iPad Pro 7.9″ (aka. iPad Mini 5 but with 4 speakers and other features of the iPad Pro) possibly coming in March 2017. If that happens, I hope Gripcase & Lifeproof will both get on board in supporting the special needs community and offer cases for it. 

https://www.apple.com/feedback/ipad.html

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Here are some good FREE visual timer apps to use until Apple adds the visual aspect back to the built in iPad timer:

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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: 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
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.
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{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

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OMazing Kids Review - Q's Race to the Top Bundle

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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!

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Q's game board with book set

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Q's game board

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q-time buddy

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Breathing activity instructions for Q-Time Buddy plush doll

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Q-Time belly breathing pic (from the Kohl's website)

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See this video for more info about this relaxation technique.

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Interior page samples from the storybook:

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Interior page samples from the coloring book:

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See this video for info about the game:

 

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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

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teach EQ

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

Website: http://eqtainment.com/

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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
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}

 

How to use Guided Access to prevent exiting an app – Best. Feature. Ever!

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Sharing this again since many SLPs, teachers & parents may have received a new iPad for Christmas. If you will be using the iPad with kids, then Guided Access is your new BFE (Best. Feature. Ever!). It can be used to disable the home button and lock the child into an app. Especially critical if you will be using the iPad as an AAC device or using it in therapy with kids with poor impulse control. Here is the PDF guide that I share with families. It shows how to set it up step by step: http://schools.nyc.gov/documents/d75/technology/assistive/Quick/iPad%20Update%20-%20GUIDED%20ACCESS%20(PDF).pdf

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Updated for 2020: That handout from 2015 is no longer available. See this info from Apple for the most current info and step by step directions: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202612

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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 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 a kids book reviewer with a focus on great picture books, a kids toy / product reviewer with a focus on those that are helpful for kids with special needs & an app beta tester for educational and therapeutic app developers. She loves sharing info about great things to use with kids of all abilities.

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{Note: please ignore any ads that may appear below. This is a free blog and I don’t have any control over ads}

{Social Skills App Giveaway & Review}: The Social Bunch: Perspectives iPad app

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I am loving this new The Social Bunch: Perspectives app by First Words (https://appsto.re/us/JL9H9.i; $8.99 -> will be on sale for $4.99 from November 12-14, 2015; iPad only)!

Fabulous illustrations & voiceovers. Love that each scene has several different questions from the various perspectives and that the app uses errorless teaching strategies with no aversive/negative feedback for wrong answers, has a pause button to allow discussion about the scene, a repeat button to allow the voiceover to be replayed and has built in “wait” visual feedback if kids start rapidly tapping on the screen. Very well thought out app designed by a SLP with a specialty in working with kids with Autism Spectrum Disorders. This app is very unique and will be quite helpful in my work with kids with ASD. I provided the following feedback to the app developer: It would be great to have a brief tutorial video within the app itself. I loved the idea of being able to draw on the scenes of the app to draw attention to the face, arrow towards what that child is thinking about and adding thought bubbles. Doing this via screenshots in the Paper 53 app is a cool idea but it would be way cooler to be able to do this within the app itself by having a drawing tools area pop up when the app is paused. Thinking of future app updates, it would also be awesome to be able to set up multiple users, track data within the app and e-mail results (many SLPs love those features).

Be sure to watch the overview video. It has great info about the app & ideas for using it: http://youtu.be/UHZt9bMX5KQ

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Idea to import screenshots into the Paper 53 app so you can draw attention to details:

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GIVEAWAY

Want to win a copy of this app? I have 9 iOS promo codes to give away over on my OMazing Kids Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/OMazingKidsYoga/photos/a.562317480485928.1073741841.174264525957894/1032221810162157/?type=3&theater

Entry Deadline: Friday, 11/13/15, at 9:00pm CST. Depending on the number of entries received, it may take a day or so to verify them and to announce the winners/distribute the codes via Facebook Messaging.

About the app: The Social Bunch: Perspectives helps teach perspective taking and inferencing to students with social language challenges. These skills can be especially challenging for individuals with Autism and other related conditions.

Professionally drawn illustrations are used to teach the idea that different characters can be thinking (and saying) different things at the same time. Five characters are featured within 5 different backgrounds (beach, cafeteria, classroom, bus stop, & playground). Users are asked who might be thinking or saying a particular thought. Sixty scenes containing almost 180 questions (with more planned for the future) are included in this app! Ten different reward animations can be set to appear at different intervals.

All that is required to respond is a touch on the correct character. This app is ideally used with the guidance of an adult (ideally trained in working with social skills).

The Social Bunch: Perspectives was created by speech-language pathologist Jeff Stepen, MS/CCC-SLP. He is a speech-language pathologist with over 17 years of experience in the field of communication disorders. His experience spans infancy to geriatrics. Autism is an area of particular interest for Jeff.

Website: http://www.thesocialbunch.co
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thesocialbunchapps/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SocialBunchApp

#ASHA15 #SLPeeps #SpecialNeeds #Autism #SLPblogger #ASHAblogger

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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.

NOTE: Please ignore any ads that appear below this note. This is a free blog site & I have no control over ads appearing here.

Amazing new FREE app: Sesame Street and Autism

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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:

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MP3:

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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.”

http://autisticadvocacy.org/2015/10/asan-statement-on-sesame-workshops-see-amazing-initiative/

https://www.facebook.com/AutisticAdvocacy

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

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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

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‪#‎SeeAmazing‬
‪#‎AACawareness‬
‪#‎Autism‬
‪#‎SpecialNeeds‬

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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/
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 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.

New Popping Wheelies Website: 200+ free printable special needs coloring sheets

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Love this mom’s generosity! Please forward, share, post, pin & tweet to share the word about these unique FREE special needs coloring sheets ❤️. Here’s the e-mail that I received:
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Hello!

You are receiving this email because I thought you might like to know that my new website, http://poppingwheelies.net, is live, up and running. On it you will find over 200 of my coloring pages that can be viewed, downloaded and printed for FREE! I am very excited about this and I hope you will use this resource with children of all abilities

Please feel free to forward, tweet, post and tell everyone you know so that more children can have access to Popping Wheelies inclusive designs. Thanks so much.

If you are not sure what I am doing, take a look at this article that originally appeared in themighty.com., which is a fantastic website for anyone touched by special needs: http://themighty.com/2015/08/1this-mom-created-coloring-books-that-feature-kids-with-disabilities/

Enjoy!

Sue

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{OMazing Kids Book Review & Book Bundle Giveaway} “Love for Logan” & “Leah’s Voice” by Lori DeMonia

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 Book Bundle Giveaway pic

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Love for Logan is the lovely sequel to Leah’s Voice and is another wonderful addition to my special needs acceptance & awareness library! I love how the story unfolds, the message of the power of love and understanding and that it is inspired by the author’s daughters. The book gives insight into Sensory Processing Disorder & Autism.

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Here are a couple of pics of interior pages to give you a feel for the book:

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About the book: Love for Logan is an inspirational story based on actual events. A young girl learns to better understand why day to day life can be challenging for her older sister. While sharing a special night, the story embraces how one girl’s love for her sister empowers her to overcome one of life’s obstacles. This beautifully illustrated, kid friendly picture book, told through the eyes of a sibling, will help children understand others’ sensory difficulties, and explain sensory processing disorder.  Sensory Processing Disorder occurs when the nervous system’s messages received from sensory signals are not organized into appropriate responses. This limits a person’s ability to correctly interpret sensory information and can make even routine, daily events extremely challenging.

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  • Age Range: 6 and up
  • Hardcover: 26 pages
  • Publisher: Halo Publishing International (May 18, 2015)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1612443621
  • ISBN-13: 978-1612443621
  • Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 0.2 x 8.5 inches

Available on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Love-Logan-Lori-DeMonia/dp/1612443621

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Website: http://www.autismkidsbooks.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Leahsvoice

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See this post for my review on the first book, Leah’s Voice: https://omazingkidsllc.com/2015/07/11/omazing-kids-book-review-leahs-voice-by-lori-demonia/.

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A hardcover copy of both books will be included in the book bundle giveaway. 

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Leah's Voice

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  • Age Range: 6 – 8 years
  • Hardcover: 28 pages
  • Publisher: Halo Publishing International (October 31, 2013)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1612442404
  • ISBN-13: 978-1612442402
  • Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 0.2 x 8.5 inches

Available on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Leahs-Voice-Lori-Demonia/dp/1612440894.

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See Leah’s art: http://www.kindtree.org/marketplace/artists/leah-demonia

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See this post for a peek inside my special needs acceptance & awareness library at OMazing Kids. I just updated that post to add this new book: https://omazingkidsllc.com/2015/07/11/a-peek-inside-my-my-special-needs-acceptance-awareness-library/

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Disclaimer: I received a free sample of this product to facilitate my review.  Opinions expressed are my own. Starting in 2013, a new component of reviews & giveaways hosted on OMazing Kids is that a review will be added on Amazon.com (for products sold on that site). See my Amazon profile at: https://www.amazon.com/gp/pdp/profile/A1JKVLELLSX7FD?ie=UTF8&ref_=cm_aya_bb_pdp.

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giveaway .

This giveaway is CLOSED. Congratulations to the winner Kristy Austin in Oklahoma. 

Only USA entries are allowed for this giveaway due to shipping costs.  

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Easy Entry Form:

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  • Only entries with all required information will be valid. The info comes to me directly via e-mail & is ONLY used for the purposes of selecting winners and distributing prizes.

  • Helpful Info & Tips: Folks had requested a simpler entry option. I tried Rafflecopter but most folks did not enter an address so now I’m trying this online contact form instead. I will be hand selecting winners to insure products end up in the hands of folks who will put them to the best use. Briefly tell me how winning this would help you & the kids. I take the time to read each entry so details count. It doesn’t have to be lengthy…. just heart-felt.
  • If you experience any problems with the entry form in this blog post, please e-mail me specific details so I can attempt to fix it. E-mail to: amoorad1@juno.com . The entry deadline may be extended at the sole discretion of OMazing Kids in the event of prolonged entry problems.
  • Each “giveaway” is handled separately on OMazing Kids. So there are no rules prohibiting previous winners from entering this or future giveaways. I really do read every entry in every giveaway carefully to insure that the products end up in the best hands to impact kids lives.

Entry Deadline: 11:59pm CST on July 20, 2015.

Rules of Participation:

  • Must be 18 years or older with a valid e-mail address.
  • One entry per person.
  • Only USA entries are allowed for this giveaway. 
  • Employees or family members of OMazing Kids, LLC or the product’s company are not eligible.
  • No purchase required.
  • Comments submitted via entries may be copied & pasted into the blog post.
  • Odds of winning will depend on the number of eligible entries received.
  • Only entries with all required information will be valid.
  • The winner will be chosen from valid entries on July 21, 2015.

1 winner will win a bundle of 1 hardcover copy of each of the 2 books described above.

  • The winner will be notified via e-mail, their name will be posted on the blog post & will be posted on the OMazing Kids Facebook page. The company offering the prize may also post the winner’s name on their website, blog, Facebook page and/or other social media sites at their discretion.
  • The prize will be mailed to the winner using the address submitted in the entry form. OMazing Kids is not responsible for items lost in the mail or for inaccuracies in the mailing address or phone number. I copy & paste the info directly from what you submit << so PLEASE proof read your entry for accuracy before submitting it…. in the era of iPhone auto correction these errors happen pretty frequently>>
  • The winner’s address & phone number will be forwarded to the company and they will be mailing the prizes directly to the winners.  
  • After I e-mail the winner’s info to the company, it is their responsibility to mail out prizes. Please contact them first if you are concerned about not receiving a prize. If that does not resolve the problem, then feel free to e-mail me and I will glad to assist in whatever way I can.

  • Prize Value: $33.90 ($16.95 for each book)

Other Legal Stuff: I know they are just kids books  but just to be safe here is all the legal stuff… This giveaway is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. You are providing your information to OMazing Kids, LLC and not to Facebook. The information you provide will only be used for our internal purposes in relation to the administration of the giveaway. Your information will NOT be sold to any outside parties. Indemnification/Hold Harmless: By participating, entrants agree: (a) to the decisions of OMazing Kids, LLC, which shall be final in all respects; (b) to release, discharge, and hold harmless OMazing Kids, LLC and its respective representatives and agents from all liability, injuries, losses or damages of any kind to persons or property resulting in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, from the acceptance, possession, misuse or use of a prize, or from participation in and/or entry into the Contest or any Contest-related activity and for acceptance, delivery, or use of any prize; (c) that the foregoing parties have neither made nor are in any manner responsible or liable for any warranty, representation or guaranty, expressed or implied, in fact or in law,

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 This giveaway is part of the 8K 8Day Giveaway series to celebrate 8,000+ fans on the OMazing Kids Facebook page. See this album for details on other giveaways: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.972147469502925.1073741891.174264525957894&type=3

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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

Facebook Messaging for OMazing Kids: https://www.facebook.com/messages/174264525957894

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/

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/#omazing-kids-yoga

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

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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:

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  • 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

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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.)

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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

Facebook Messaging for OMazing Kids: https://www.facebook.com/messages/174264525957894

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/

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/#omazing-kids-yoga

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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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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{OMazing Kids Book Review} “Leah’s Voice” by Lori DeMonia

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Leah's Voice

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Leah’s Voice is a wonderful addition to my special needs acceptance & awareness library! I love how the story unfolds, the message of treating everyone with kindness and that it is inspired by the author’s daughters.

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Here are a couple of pics of interior pages to give you a feel for the book:

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About the book:

Leah’s Voice is a fictional story inspired by two sisters. It touches on the difficulties children encounter when they meet a child with special needs such as autism. Siblings may find it difficult to explain to their friends, or feel disappointed when their friends aren’t more understanding. Leah’s Voice tells the story of two sisters facing these challenges. Through her kindness and devotion, one sister teaches by example the importance of including everyone and showing acceptance.

  • 2014 Dr. Temple Grandin Outstanding Literary Work of the Year Award Presented by the Autism Society
  • Mom’s Choice Award Winner
  • New York Book Festival 2013 Honorable Mention Award
  • Readers’ Favorite Book Award Finalist 2013
  • London Book Festival 2013 Honorable Mention Award

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Available on Amazon: 

http://www.amazon.com/Leahs-Voice-Lori-Demonia/dp/1612440894.

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Website: http://leahsvoicethebook.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Leahsvoice

Free printables for the book: http://www.leahsvoicethebook.com/#printablesPage

New website: http://autismkidsbooks.com

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See the story behind the book: http://geekclubbooks.com/2014/05/autism-story-leahs-voice/

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See Leah’s art: http://www.kindtree.org/marketplace/artists/leah-demonia

 

 

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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

Facebook Messaging for OMazing Kids: https://www.facebook.com/messages/174264525957894

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/

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/#omazing-kids-yoga

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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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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