This document discusses various iPad apps that can be used to supplement augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems. It describes apps such as TapSpeak Sequence, Fat Cat Chat, Story Maker, GoTalk Now, and iMovie that allow users to build sequences of messages, engage in conversation, tell stories, create pages with photos and text, make movies, and more. The document provides details on the functionality and accessibility of these apps. It also discusses factors to consider when selecting AAC apps, such as access methods, vocabulary, ease of use, and customization options.

1. Apps for AAC
Adding iPads to your AAC Toolkit
Jane Farrall, Janelle Sampson and Kelly Moore

2. “Other” AAC apps
— Apps that fill a specific purpose
— Apps that offer people a solution for a
communication need
— Often used as part of an AAC system

3. TapSpeak Sequence
— Allows the user to build a sequence of
things to say
— Great for:
◦ Joke telling
◦ Stories
◦ Scripted situations e.g. Malkara canteen
◦ Sequenced social scripts
◦ School concerts
◦ Giving a talk
— Direct access or switch access

4. Fat Cat Chat apps
— A range of apps focusing on conversation
— Some apps target a facet in AAC that some AAC users feel is
a weakness for them e.g. Communication breakdowns
— Every app is designed to develop a conversation
— Check out:
◦ Fat Cat Chat Repair
◦ Fat Cat Outback Chat (for a laugh)
◦ Fat Cat Snappy Chat
◦ Fat Cat Pirate Action
— Direct access

5. Alexicom Elements
Story Maker
— Story telling is an important part of
communication
— It is estimated that a 5 years spends 11%
of their day story telling.As we get older,
the percentage increases.
— Story Maker lets the user tell stories with
photographs
— Direct access or switch access

6. GoTalk Now
— Has many other uses but has great
support for quickly constructing pages
with photos using recorded speech or
synthesised speech
— User can use the app to give directions,
easily accompanied by photos if needed
— Pages can be arranged in a traditional grid
format or more as a visual scene display

7. GoTalk Now
— Visual scene displays are an alternative
way of organising vocabulary
— Have been shown to be successful with
different groups e.g.Young children with
cerebral palsy, children with autism
spectrum disorder, adults with severe
aphasia
— GoTalk Now allows you to create visual
scenes using your own photographs and
also create chat bars with symbols
— Direct access or switch access

8. iMovie
— For putting together custom movies for:
— News
— Concert items
— Educating carers
— Presentations
— And many other uses J

9. Accessibility Settings
— Guided Access ++++
— Speak Selection
— AssistiveTouch
— Home Click Speed
— VoiceOver

10. iPad accessories
— Covers
— Speakers
— Keyboards
— Stylii

11. Alternative Access
— Switch accessible apps
— Switch access throughVoiceOver
— Joystick access throughVoiceOver
— Bluetooth keyboard andVoiceOver

12. Selecting an app
Picking and Choosing the best option

13. Access trumps communication
— Access is always a BIG consideration in
choosing a communication system
— Need to consider whether the system is a
primary or secondary system in deciding
access

14. Vocabulary and Language System
• A
good
comprehensive,
well
balanced
vocabulary
(for
primary
communica:on
system)
• Can
you
use
it
to
chat/model
–
range
of
vocabulary
for
varied
situa:ons
• Symbol
system
–
having
one
and
which
one
• ‘Predic:ve
selec:on’
in
English
word
order
or
not?
What
suits
the
individual?
• Message
display
op:ons
–
does
it
have
a
message
bar?
• Words
rather
than
full
messages
• Text
to
speech
op:ons
and
word
predic:on

15. Ease of Use
• Can you add items in the moment – for
user and communication partner
• Ease of programming in general
• Ease of manipulating settings
• Recents or history function (pros and
cons)
• Copy and Pasting from other applications
and store text to button
• Tech support and communication with app
developer
• Ability to lock settings

16. Other things to consider
— Option for creative use – eg. Playing
video, using photos, etc
— Varied layout options
— Sharing pages you have made with others
— Sending to other applications especially
social media for teens and adults
— Access to pictures/symbols (camera
versus photo library)
— Aussie voice and pronounciation options
(text to speech)