Communication and the iPad: An Introduction to Communication

ApplicationsPresented by

Jennifer Brock MS CCC-SLP

University of Nebraska Medical Center

Munroe Meyer Institute

Communication and the iPad

• What is AAC?– Augmentative and Alternative Communication

• A system designed to supplement, support or replace spoken language

Communication and the iPad• Who can benefit from AAC?

– Anyone who is having difficulty expressing themselves through spoken language alone

• Deaf or Hard of Hearing• Genetic Disorders• Neurogenic Conditions• Traumatic Brain Injury• Childhood Apraxia of Speech• Stroke• Developmental Delay• Autism Spectrum Disorders

Communication and the iPad

• When should you consider AAC?– As soon as a speech or language delay or impairment

is identified. • School• Clinic• Physician• Personal Observations

Communication and the iPad• Types of AAC systems

– Unaided• Sign• Gestures• Pantomimes

– Aided• Low Tech

– Photo or symbol boards– Writing/Typing– Photo or symbol

exchange– Pacing boards

• High Tech– Static Display– Dynamic Display

Communication and the iPad

• What factors go into choosing an AAC system?– It is best to work with a team of experts to determine the most

appropriate option for each individual. Some things to consider as you are making this decision are:

• Individual strengths and constraints– Symbolic?– Motor Skills– Attention/Interests– Financial– Visual skills

• Family strengths and constraints– Time– Organization– Siblings– Family beliefs– Financial

Communication and the iPad• Potential communication partners

– Family– Caregivers– Peers– Community members

• Potential settings– School– Home– Work– Restaurants– Social Groups– Stores– Over the phone vs. in person

Communication and the iPad• Why an iPad might be recommended as a

communication device– Size

» Light weight» Large, bright Screen

– Positive Social Perception» iPads and iPhones are “cool”

– Price» iPads start at $399» Communication apps range in price from free to around

$200

Communication and the iPad• Why an iPad might NOT be recommended as a

communication device– Access may be difficult for some

» Less able to adjust touch settings» Have to special order key guards» May knock over easily» Have to manipulate carrying case

– Limited Customer Support» If it breaks they are not “fixable”» Difficult to access customer support for some apps

– Not covered by insurance– Extra programming involved in making it more “dedicated”

» Lock out home button» Lock out editing» Lock out apps

Communication and the iPad

• Choosing the right communication application, things to consider:– Dynamic vs. Static

• Can the individual navigate• Text to speech?• Photos vs. Symbols

– Also remember there are different symbol sets

– Activation• Some apps allow you to adjust the touch settings and some

do not

– Individual preferences and challenges

Communication and the iPad

– Text To Speech Apps– Talk Assist By Mubaloo (Free)– Smart AAC By Assistive Technology Engineering Lab Inc. (Free)– Grid Player By Sensory Software Int. Ltd. (Free)– iSpeech By iSpeech Inc. (Free)– Verbally By Intuary Inc. (Free-$99.99)– Speak It! By John Stefanopoulos ($1.99)– Touch Voice By Touch Voice ($19.99)– Text2Speech By Thomas Lynch ($19.99)– Assistive Chat By Chee Ng ($24.99)– AbiliPad By Cheryl Bregman ($19.99)– Verbally By Intuary Inc. (Free-$99.99)

NOTE: This is not an exhaustive list and this is not an endorsement of any of these devices or applications.

Communication and the iPad

– Static Display Apps– Sounding Board By AbleNet (FREE)– Tap Speak Button By Ted Conley($14.99)– Tap Speak Sequence By Ted Conley ($29.99)– Grace By Steven Troughton Smith ($24.99) NO VOICE OUTPUT– GridPlayer By Sensory Software International (Free) can only be used

with certain purchased software– Speakall! By Purdue University (Free) NO VOICE OUTPUT– TalkTommy By Talk Tommy ($4.99)– MetaTouch By Cidar Healthcare LLC. ($29.99)– GoTalk By Attainment Company Inc.($79.99)– Verbal Victor By Seed Stage Associates ($6.99)– * You can make most of the dynamic display apps into a static display

NOTE: This is not an exhaustive list and this is not an endorsement of any of these devices or applications.

Communication and the iPad

– Dynamic Display Apps– TouchChat HD By Saltillo Corporation ($149.99)– ProLoQuo To Go By Assistive Ware B.V. ($189.99)– Tap Speak Choice By Ted Conley ($149.99)– GridPlayer By Sensory Software International (Free) can

only be used with certain purchased software– Smart AAC By Assistive Technology Engineering Lab Inc.

(Free)

NOTE: This is not an exhaustive list and this is not an endorsement of any of these devices or applications.

Communication and the iPad

– Accessories to consider– Cover/Stand

» Durability» Accessibility

– Stylus– Bubcaps

» Block the home button

– Speakers» Usually needed, can get a cover and the speakers in 1

• AMDI $265

– Key Guards» Lasered Pics around $20 and up

• For keyboard and several communication applications

NOTE: This is not an exhaustive list and this is not an endorsement of any of these devices or applications.

Communication and the iPad

– Adaptations to consider– Block Home Button

» iPad 1- Bubcaps» iPads with ios6 or higher-

• Guided access-open Settings and tap through to General > Accessibility > Guided Access. Slide the option to the “on” position” then create a pass code. Next, open the app you want to lock into and triple-click the home button. Now, with your finger, circle any areas on the screen you'd like block access to. A transparent box will appear and you can adjust the size to cover the area you want to block. When you are done selecting the area, click “start” in the upper right hand corner and it will take you back into the app where your selected areas will be blocked. You can also choose to turn off motion, touch, and hardware buttons by hitting the Options button.

NOTE: This is not an exhaustive list and this is not an endorsement of any of these devices or applications.

Communication and the iPad– Adaptations to consider

– Turn editing off» TouchChat HD» ProLoQuo

– Lock tilt» You can do this within many apps as well as

on the iPad itself– Touch sensitivity

» TouchChat HD» ProLoQuo (much more limited)

NOTE: This is not an exhaustive list and this is not an endorsement of any of these devices or applications.

Communication and the iPad

– Adaptations to consider–Switch Scanning

» http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1U78j-XwA6I• Apps that are switch accessible

• Tap To Talk• Sounding Board• Tap Speak Series• Alexicom

–Eye Tracking Software

NOTE: This is not an exhaustive list and this is not an endorsement of any of these devices or applications.

Communication and the iPad

– Other apps that can help with communication– iSign Lite – My Smart Hands – Sign Language – Sign Smith

NOTE: This is not an exhaustive list and this is not an endorsement of any of these devices or applications.