Communication and the iPad: An
Introduction to Communication
Applications
Presented 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
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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.
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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
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Symbolic?
Motor Skills
Attention/Interests
Financial
Visual skills
• Family strengths and constraints
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Time
Organization
Siblings
Family beliefs
Financial
Communication and the iPad
• Potential communication partners
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Family
Caregivers
Peers
Community members
• Potential settings
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.