Day 2

During our second class, we created a selection set for a specific student using the Proloquo2Go app.  It is a great app for students with ACC, having difficulty with reading and writing.  The program allows you to create categories for a non-verbal student to use, in order to communicate their feelings, responses, questions, etc.  Once my group decided on how to start, the content wasn’t difficult to fill in.  The biggest concern I have with the app is deciding what another individual will be able to communicate with another human being.  How can I decide what the person is wishing to say?  The most important part of the planning process is to ensure all teachers, specialists and parents participate in the planning process.  These are the individuals who know the student the best, and can try to fit her/his personality.  My biggest challenge would be what language to use for the specific age or grade, if I am not overly familiar with the age group.  After seeing other groups present their ideas, I discovered other strategies for creating a selection set.  The program is very complex and time consuming, but well worth the planning!


View a demo which demonstrates the simplicity of using AAC apps.

Below is a list of AAC apps for individuals who are non-verbal.  During my search, I found a number of options available, making it hard to decide on the most cost-effective product.  The ones I’ve listed are very effective for individuals with a wide range of speaking, language and writing disabilities.

MyVoice Communication Aid

MyVoice Communication Aid is a very popular AAC app for individuals with Autism and other communication barriers.  The app sparks communication between individuals with voice output, storytelling, social skill development, and visual scheduling.  It is easy to use for all ages, has free online support for family and professionals, and creates accessibility through scanning for individuals with physical disabilities.  The app cost $190 dollars, but appears worth it.

Look2Learn



Look2Learn is an app for the IPod, IPhone, and IPad which allows individuals to communicate using photographs to express their wants and needs.  You can add your own personalized vocals to the pictures.  There are over 80 photographs already in the library and you can add or hide pictures as needed.  The size of the selection windows can be adjusted according to needs.  It was created by teachers and is easy to use.  It costs $14.99, so very affordable for the use.



My First AAC



My first AAC is an app for the IPad which is easy to use and designed for toddler and younger children with delayed speech or severe speech disorders.  It introduces them to technology and allows them to effectively communicate with family or caregivers.  The app is organized by categories which reflect the child's natural speech development, with over 250 words or phrases (represented by an icon) to choose from, or you can create your own.  The app can be personalized to the child, and all audio is of the childs.  The app uses large icons to assist with motor skills deficiencies.  The cost is $24.99 and was created in collaboration with speech and language pathologists.


OneVoice Lite



OneVoice Lite is a free version of OneVoice, but does not include speech on this version.  It is an easy to use AAC app, available for the iPAd or iPhone.  The app allows you to personalize the device for the child, and add pictures and phrases relating to the child, or using a pre-created vocabulary bank.  The app does  not have multiple categories, therefore, easy to use for new or early learners.




TapSpeak Button Plus for iPad



TapSpeak Button for iPad is an app designed for populations with cerebral palsy, autism, apraxia of speech, cortical vision impairment and stroke.  It modernizes the idea of a mechanical switch, but is a portable button on the iPad which records and plays messages, allowing an individual to communicate in a simple, basic way.  The app features over 4500 symbols in the library, and allows you to personalize the buttons with photos.  The app costs $49.99.