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AAC - Picture Communication

This version was saved 12 years, 5 months ago View current version     Page history
Saved by Lori Wiebe
on October 5, 2011 at 12:26:50 pm
 

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) / Picture Communication

 

 

Rating scale:

*        not worth the download

**       maybe if you have no other choice

***      you get what you paid for

****     could be good in some situations

*****    top picks

 

Top Picks

Proloquo2Go - $189.99


This app turns the iTouch, iPhone  or iPad into a full featured dynamic screen speech-generating device for individuals with limited or no speech.  It is fully customizable to meet the communication needs of the user, offers natural sounding voices, up-to-date symbol stix symbols and a default vocabulary of over 7000 items.  Also have the option of importing your own photos.  Has a text to speech option, but currently no word prediction feature.  Check out the website at www.proloquo2go.com .  Watch introductory videos, download  PDF step-by-step tutorials under the manuals section.

Rating

*****

TouchChat - $149.99 (Light-$9.99; with WordPower-$299.99) 

TouchChat turns the iPhone, iTouch or iPad into a fully customizable dynamic screen speech generating device, giving an alternative voice for those with communication challenges.  Comes with pre-made page sets to use as a starting point for individuals with different communication needs.  Access to symbol stix picture symbols as well as the option to import your own photos.  Text to speech option with word prediction.  Choose from five synthesized voices or playback recorded messages.  WordPower for TouchChat (word-based page set) is available as a $149.00 in-App purchase.  Watch you tube video entitled TouchChat Introduction for complete features.

Rating

*****

TapSpeak Button - $14.99

TapSpeak turns the itouch, phone and pad into a single message communicator which allows a verbal individual to record messages for a nonverbal individual to access via tapping a big circle or a picture.  Record and play an unlimited number of stored messages.  Excellent for severely physically challenged individuals who have difficulty activating a typical switch such as the Big Mack  – only requires a touch, not a full key press.

NOTE: TapSpeak Button Plus ($49.99) available only for the iPad allows you to use PCS symbols on the button.

Rating

*****

My Button - Free 

 

Turn your iTouch or iPhone into a single message communicator and add a picture or text to the recorded button.  Limited to 5 customized messages for playback when needed.

 

Rating

*****

Answers: Yes No - $0.99 

 

 An app that simply says yes or no, press the green yes to say yes or the red no to say no; you can have a male or female (or cartoon) voice, simple and works great in a pinch. Custom two button pages can be made for quick choice-making, but not saved.

Note: iPad version ($3.99) allows you to add pictures on choice buttons with a total of 30 custom button pairs.

Rating

*****

 


 
Others:
SoundingBoard - $49.99 

Create talking picture boards (recorded speech) using 1,2,3,4,6 or 9 button templates.  Use built-in AbleNet symbol library with hundreds of symbols or import your own images. Boards can be linked together to create a multi-level communication system.  Single and 2-step visual scanning available.  Very easy to use.

Rating

****

Voice 4U - $29.99

Created by a mother of a child with autism, this app allows individuals to select and tap on an icon and/or text, show others the full screen graphic and play a recording.  Includes 130 custom symbols ranging from everyday items to emotions.  Can add an unlimited number of vocabulary items using your own photos and recording associated messages.

Rating

***

Talk4Me - $0.99 


Picture communication app where vocabulary/messages are organized into categories that can be customized for the user (e.g., my calmers; my free time choices; snack time, etc).  No built-in images or voices -  take snapshots/import photos and recorded speech.  Good app for basic picture communication with pretty good customization given the price!

Rating

****

Expressive - $49.99

Expressive is an entry to mid level, easy to use, and powerful app that allows individuals to express their wants and needs through the use of pictures.  Expressive will give each person the ability to express themselves through the use of pictured images and corresponding audio. The best thing about Expressive is its ease of use. It does not require any knowledge about programming or manuals; Expressive is intuitive and simple to use. 

Rating

****

My Voice - Free

  MyVoice allows you to express yourself with groundbreaking features like location-awareness, downloadable phrase books and wireless customization from any web browser. With its lifelike voices and beautiful interface, MyVoice is the affordable solution you've been waiting for. to customize in seconds visit myvoiceaac.com on your computer to edit an exact picture of the vocabulary items that appear on your mobile device. Easily drag-and-drop your own content into MyVoice or choose from dozens of free hand-crafted "books" on myvoiceaac.com. Changes sync instantly over the internet, so families and professionals can help MyVoice users from a world away. 

Rating

****

iComm – free 

Picture communication download; $4.99 upgrade available for additional categories and ability to  add audio to pictures.  Organized in categories such as basic needs, activities – can customize the categories and there are a few blank to add your own.  4 or 2 buttons on each screen.  Limited but you get quite a bit for the price!

Rating

***

TapSpeak Sequence for iPad - $29.99 
 

Turn the iPad into a sequenced single message communication device/switch.  Allows the user to record a number of sequences and store them – which can then be pulled up again later.  Can set different switch colors and shapes or import images for each item in a sequence. Use Boardmaker symbols for an additional in-App purchase cost of $24.99.

Rating

***

iConverse – Assisted Communication - $9.99

iConverse is an AAC app that displays a home page with 6 buttons to communicate  a person's most basic needs: Bathroom, Drink, Food, Sick, Break, Help.  “My Buttons” feature allows us to make new buttons with messages specific to the needs of the user.  Synthesized speech in male and female voices (not great quality).  Can also record the message.  Limited features, but works for “on the go” communication.

Rating

***

My Choice Board - $9.99 

Presents a visual display of “choices” to students with limited communication skills.  Choice boards can be made and saved for a number of situations (e.g., free time; sensory activities).  Choices can be edited to show they are “unavailable” - red circle placed over image – remove when choice then becomes an option.  Each page has a template with “I want” at the top.  Recorded speech.  Limited photos provided /can add your own images.

Rating

***

iSign - $4.99

 

This app is an animated book of 800 ASL gestures.  Each of the gestures is modeled with a 3D character and completely animated.

 

Rating

***

Lingraphica Apps – free

Designed for people with loss of speech following stroke, these free apps provide a preset vocabulary of pictures and videos that talk in a natural human voice.  Offers phrases to use in everyday situations such as shopping, doctor’s appointments, phone conversations or emergencies.  Mouth position videos available for practice and self-cuing. Download male or female version.

Rating

***

Tap Speak Choice (ipad only) - $149.99

 

It's a complete communication board and speech editor and player. Use the DynaVox/Mayer-Johnson PCS library, your own photos or images, and geometric symbols for visual targets. You can use text to speech voices provided by Acapela Group or your recorded voice. For those whose motor skill abilities make it necessary to use a switch, TapSpeak Choice support using the iPad screen as a switch for scanning and supports AbleNet's Blue2 switch and RJ Cooper's iPad Cordless Super-Switch and iPad Switch Interface for external switches. You can use one or two switches for auto scanning and step scan. You can even set up separate auditory prompts with a separate message, voice, speaking rate and volume.

Rating

** 

 

VocaBeans on-the-go -Lite version Free - Full Version 48.99 

 

This app comes with over 700 pre-made “vocabeans” organized into various categories (e.g., clothes; feelings; school; places; people, etc).  Each  “bean” is a picture with an associated word or phrase.  Can create unlimited custom beans to meet the needs of the user.  Need to import your own images/recorded speech for custom buttons/beans.  Access to “quick messages” for personalized immediate communication, as well as a “favorites” category.  Download the free version – VocaBeans Basic which comes with 110 beans and lets you create 10 for the user.  Register on the website and receive another free beanpod, extending the free app to 225 beans or messages. 

Rating

**

Look2Learn – AAC - $14.99

An “I want” symbol (boy or girl) is followed by a number of photographs or categories for requesting items (snacks; meals; indoor play; outdoor play; basic needs; emotions). Able to customize by adding new photos, or hiding photos for those who need fewer choices.  Allows for three different photo sizes including a small, medium and large option. Felt to be somewhat pricy for what it offers

Rating

**

ComApp - Free

  Designed to allow children with autism or any other language deficit to easily and effectively communicate their basics needs and wants in five main categories: food, drink, clothing, toys and emotions using actual photographs and real voices. 

Rating

**

Talking Picture Board (for iPad only) - Free

  A simple picture board for children containing some 300 pictures organized in 20 categories such as animals, office supplies, toys etc. The names of the pictures is spoken when pictures are clicked. 

Rating

**

Auto Verbal Talking Soundboard Pro - $9.99  

AAC tool which uses clip art-like icons.  Comes with hundreds of built-in phrases in over a dozen categories; customize messages such as name, address, family, etc ; cannot add new buttons, only customize what some buttons say. Type any message and have it spoken using text-to-speech.  Also available in French (Autoverbal Francais - $9.99).  Can purchase male or female voice individually for $4.99.

Rating

**

Verbal Victor - $6.99  

An AAC app with vocabulary/messages arranged in 2, 4 or 6 button pages.  As buttons are added, they are simply added to the final page.  The user needs to move through all pages to find the desired message (no organizational structure).  Need to import your own images/recorded speech.  Limited, but a cost effective app for emerging communicators and “on the go” communication.

Rating

**

Tap ToTalk – free

This AAC app comes with a pre-made “starter” album that allows beginning communicators to express basic wants and needs.  Tap a picture and TaptoTalk speaks the pre-recorded message.  A yearly online subscription service (Tap to Talk Designer) of $99.95 is available to create individualized albums with customized pictures and messages.  Load your customized talking albums onto an iPhone, iTouch, iPad, and even a Nintendo DS.

Rating

*

Grace – Picture Exchange for Non-Verbal People - $37.99

A simple picture exchange system (no voice output) allowing the user to communicate needs/make requests by building sentences from images, presenting them to the listener who can then respond to their communication.  Can create new images customized to the needs of the user, as well as  sentences with first-then cueing. Limited and pricy.

Rating

*

iAssist Communicator - $29.99
This app was designed by a parent of a child with autism.  Small number of pre-installed images and photos/ can import your own photos.  Store images/photos under categories such as “Good Manners” , “Getting Dressed”, “Snacks”.  Categories can be added and existing content can be edited.  Limited features for the price.

Rating

*

MyTalk Tools Mobile - 39.99
Allows an individual to express their needs and desires to those around them. Customize how you communicate through a variety of images, pictures, symbols and audio files including human voice. A fully functional stand alone AAC app with the option of purchasing an online MyTalk Workspace for a monthly ($9), annual ($75) or 3 year ($175) term. Together, they make it easy to customize how you communicate through a variety of images, pictures, symbols and audio files. With Workspace you also won't have to worry about losing or breaking your device as all information is backed up online.

Rating

*

Speaking Images - $0.99

The iTool features state-of-the-art talking pictures. The application works great as a communication tool. We have several images in our database, each time that the user selects an image, the device will play the name of the item and will also show an enlarged image. You can always replay the name of the sound. This application is also great for teaching children who are learning basic (daily use) words. 

Rating

*

Expressionist - $9.99 

Designed for visual learners.  Over 120 commonly used phrases are organized into 7 categories (common phrases/greetings; feelings; senses; health; actions/activities; requests; questions).  Natural sounding voice output.  Uses a composite picture approach (versus sentence construction) to illustrate a message or concept.  Not customizable.

Rating

*

iInteract - 8.99
  This app provides visual pictures paired with audio feedback. In the iInteract menu you can select a boy/girl voice so that your child can relate to the auditory response. There are seven communication board choices to identify wants and needs as well as feelings. Each communication board has three to four picture choices that once touched enlarge and speak, sharing what the child has requested.

Rating

*

Spubble Lite - Free

  It allows the user to "speak" individual words, simply by tapping on them, and it allows for complete phrase creation by dragging the word icons to a speech bubble (or "spubble") at the top of the screen. These icons can also be removed from the spubble simply by dragging them out. The entire phrase can be heard by tapping the green "play" button to the right of the "spubble". Tapping the red "home" button on the bottom of the screen takes the user back to the main categories screen. Spubble Lite provides 5 categories with up to 150 words: Food, People. Places, Numbers, General

Rating

*

Picture Board - Free

  Allows an individual to make simple requests via the touch interface. Additionally, the keyboard option allows the Picture Board user to type in a phrase.

Rating

*

Auggie AAC - $159.99

  Augie comes pre-loaded with high-frequency vocabulary for both Home and School/Work environments. Augie is easily customized with content specific to each user. Augie is a multi-function app with built-in schedules, a one-touch critical communication feature. The user defined voice output communication categories are available to support functional communication needs as well as voice output prompting/task cues, behavioral support systems, social scripts, self regulation strategies along with user defined conversation starters. 

Rating

Not yet Reviewed

One Voice - $199.99

  OneVoice comes with a vocabulary however you can easily add your own phrases and photos to create a custom communication pages. Features include: 4 High Quality Voices (2 male and 2 female); Over 100 custom made icons; Drag and drop organization of phrases and categories; Choose and crop your own photos from the device photo gallery or your camera

Rating

Not yet Reviewed

Scene Speak - $9.99 

  Scene Speak provides a framework on the iPad to create visual scene displays. In this application an image can be edited with active “sound areas” that can be selected and used as a means of communication. Images then can added into “books” by theme or area of interest.

Rating

Not yet Reviewed 

 
     

 

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