The Augmentative/Alternative Communication Spectrum

Have you thought of Augmentative/Alternative Communication as a spectrum? There is a whole range of options from low/no tech to high tech solutions to empowering individuals with speech impairments. The folks at the Indiana Resource Center for Autism have put together an article covering the spectrum of AAC.

To view the article, please visit:
https://www.iidc.indiana.edu/pages/the-augmentative-alternative-communication-spectrum

Mobile App Monday - SoundingBoard

"SoundingBoard transforms your iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad into the latest in communication technology. In just minutes, you can create custom boards using AbleNet symbols or your own words. Perfect for children in special education, persons on the autism spectrum, and adults with disabilities. SoundingBoard includes switch access and is compatible with the AbleNet Blue2 Switch." -iTunes

Want to learn more about this app? Please visit:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/id390532167

PECS Level 1 Training

Indiana Resource Center for Autism and Pyramid Educational Consultants, Inc. in collaboration with PATINS and Carmel Clay Schools will be offering a training on the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS), a language training package that is used to teach communication skills rapidly to those with limited functional speech. The presenter is a licensed Speech/Language Pathologist. The 2-day training will be held in Carmel, IN, on September 12th and 13th.

To learn more about it and to register, please visit:
https://www.iidc.indiana.edu/pages/pecs

Mobile App Monday - Alexicom AAC

"Alexicom AAC for iPhone/iPad lets you use your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch as an augmentative communication device... You can easily import these pages into your own online library, customize them, and/or create your own pages. AT&T Natural Voices and eSpeak TTS offer text-to-speech output in 68 voices and 30 languages." -iTunes

For more information about this app, please visit:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/id395122088

Save the date!

PECS Level 1 Training

Presented by

Jill Waegenaere, M.A., CCC-SLP

September 12th and 13th 2016

Carmel, Indiana

The Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) is a language training package that is used to teach communication skills rapidly to those with limited functional speech. PECS promotes communication within a social context, without lengthy prerequisite training. Training in PECS begins by teaching a spontaneous request and goes on to teach additional communicative functions such as responding to questions and commenting.

For more information and to register, please visit:
https://www.iidc.indiana.edu/pages/pecs

Co-Sponsored by the Indiana Resource Center for Autism and Pyramid Educational Consultants, Inc.

Mobile App Monday - Avaz Lite

Avaz Lite is an AAC app that provides a voice for children with Autism. Avaz allows children with Autism and complex communication needs to use an extensive list of core words and research-based vocabulary to maximize their communications and express emotion. Designed for children with Autism, Avaz helps improve communications through interactive speech therapy sessions, all through touch on your iPad.

Learn more about this app at:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/id909574843

Mobile App Monday - aacorn AAC

Looking for a word suggestion app for your child with speech delays? With aacorn AAC, your child makes a word choice and new branches with suggestions for the next word in a sentence present themselves AUTOMATICALLY as needed. No more ‘Hunting and Pecking’ for words hidden in grids or folders. No need to be able to use a keyboard. No requirement to have an exceptional memory to find words, and no more stick figure drawings or robotic voices.

Want to learn more about it? Please visit:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/id732419715

Mobile App Monday - Compass

With the ability to quickly customize your communication pages, DynaVox Compass provides all individuals, no matter their age or communication level, the power to communicate with everyone who is important in their life. Containing the largest variety of communication content available in any AAC solution, DynaVox Compass provides pagesets structured to address the unique needs of individuals with autism, cerebral palsy, aphasia, apraxia, Down syndrome, developmental disabilities, ALS, Stroke, and Traumatic Brain Injury, as well as other communication challenges. -iTunes

For more information about this app, please visit:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/compass-by-dynavox/id907329432?mt=8

Mobile App Monday - smartytalk

smartytalk is a multi-purpose tool that allows users to communicate via images taken with an iPhone and sentences typed into the app. It can be customized to the needs of the individual and set up to contain relevant user defined groups of pictures and sentences which can be vocalized and translated to over 27 different languages.

Want to know more about it? Please visit:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/smartytalk/id583727219?mt=8

Mobile App Monday - Avaz Lite - AAC App for Autism

Avaz Lite is a FREE AAC app for children who are non-verbal, or who have difficulty with speech or language. Avaz has received top international awards, including being on MIT’s list of Top 35 Innovations, and is the subject of a TED talk.

Avaz allows you to create a vocabulary of photographs and voice recordings to help kids create messages. It comes with 3 research-based, graded vocabularies, and a Core Words set that will help a child begin to communicate. These have been designed to facilitate spontaneous novel utterance generation, encouraging a child to use language, and generalize from it.

Want to know more about it? Please visit:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/avaz-lite-version-aac-app/id838037460?mt=8

"Give A Voice" Program offers communication devices

National Autism Association's "Give A Voice" Program offers communication devices to people with Autism who are non-verbal.
Apply by June 15.

The National Autism Association has announced their newest program, "Give A Voice." This program provides assistive communication devices for people with Autism who are non-verbal or minimally verbal, and whose communication challenges put them at increased risk of injury or harm. The program provides a 16GB iPad Mini, a protective case, and an Avatalker AAC Augmentative and Alternative Communication Software app.

Eligibility requirements include:
•Only parents or legal guardians may apply on behalf of their child/adult with Autism
•The individual you are applying for must be 4 years old or older
•The individual you are applying for must have an Autism Spectrum Disorder with documentation from a physician
•You must also provide a current evaluation/recommendation from a speech/language professional

There is very limited funding for this program, so if this is something that you or your family member needs, apply now. For complete eligibility requirements and to apply, download the application here: http://fifthfreedom.org/u/u5

For questions, contact the National Autism Association here: http://nationalautismassociation.org/about-naa/contact-naa/.

This is an informational alert prepared by Fifth Freedom.
Information courtesy of the National Autism Association.

Mobile App Monday - Touch-Words

Looking for an app for kids with communication differences? Touch-Words offers a visual-based approach to help children who are at the first stage of learning to talk and to read. It is specifically designed for children who may have difficulty learning to talk and to read and other visual learners.

Want to learn more? Please visit: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/touch-words/id722231281?mt=8&ign-mpt=uo%3D4

Mobile App Monday - PECS Phase III

The app, designed to look just like a PECS™ communication book permits a teacher to practice picture discrimination with one or several learners within a single session. Touching the correct icon results in immediate visual and auditory feedback from the device in a manner far quicker than a teacher could react. If the learner touches an incorrect icon, there is no significant feedback. A correct picture selection results in access to a desire item or activity.

Want to learn more about it? Please visit: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/pecs-phase-iii/id551356825?mt=8&ign-mpt=uo%3D4

Mobile App Monday - Verbally Premium

"Verbally Premium is a full-featured augmentative & alternative communication (AAC) app for the iPad that brings speech to those without. Verbally Premium has the same intuitive design as Verbally, but also includes a host of expanded features to make real conversation a reality." -iTunes

For more information, please visit: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/verbally-premium/id470081134?mt=8

Mobile App Monday - TalkRocket Go

TalkRocket Go was designed in collaboration with top research institutions to be easy to learn and use for all ages and abilities. Children are engaged by TalkRocket Go’s bright colors and simple shapes, while adults are proud to use an app that looks so polished and attractive. For those with dexterity challenges, TalkRocket Go comes equipped with special features for physical accessibility.

Want to learn more about this app? Please visit: https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/myvoice-communication-aid/id426135003?mt=8#

Mobile App Monday - iComm

"The iComm (short for I Communicate) is an app providing an affordable, custom built and easy to use communication system using pictures and words - both written and spoken. It is ideal for children under three until they are able to express their needs through well formed speech. The iComm is also very useful for children with a broad range of disabilities who have trouble communicating such as cerebral palsy or autism."

Want to know more? Please visit: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/icomm/id351726761?mt=8

Mobile App Monday - Speaking Images

Looking for an app that can be used as a communication tool? Speaking Images just might be for you. The device will play the name of the item and will also show an enlarged image. Great for teaching children who are learning basic (daily use) words or for anyone who needs basic communication. This version has fully interactive controls making this application a user friendly iTool.

Want to learn more about it? Please visit: https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/speaking-images/id320238523?mt=8#

Mobile App Monday - Verbally

Looking for an easy-to-use, comprehensive Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) app? Verbally might be just the ticket. This app enables real conversation with its simple, intuitive design. Just tap in what you want to say and Verbally speaks for you!

Want to know more about it? Please visit: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/verbally/id418671377?mt=8#

Mobile App Monday - AutoVerbal Pro

Need help with speaking? AutoVerbal Pro Talking Soundboard is a robust Augmentative/Alternative Communication app that allows users to text a phrase and touch "speak" to have your words spoken for you. Recent words/phrases are kept in memory for quick repeating.

Want to learn more? Please visit: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/autoverbal-talking-soundboard/id368727888?mt=8#

Mobile App Monday - Grace

Grace is a non-speaking, simple picture exchange system developed for people with Autism to communicate their needs independently. Users can select pictures to form a semantic sentence which they can then share, by tilting the iPhone or iPod touch to create a full screen view, and pointing at each card to hear the listener read each word.

Want to learn more? Visit: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/grace-picture-exchange-for/id360574688?mt=8