iTalk: Using Technology as a Transitional Communication

ToolKatie Dames, M.S. CCC-SLP

Katie Maddox, OTR/L

Session Objectives

1. Why is it important to access tools that provide voice output when verbal communication is limited

2. Explore affordable communication technology that can support the child during communication breakdown

3. How to use technology to enhance self advocacy and social skills in early adolescence

Transition:  A movement,

development, or evolution from one

form, stage, or style to another.

What is a Transitional Communication Tool?

A tool or method used by the child to support delayed expression.

Most children are using some basic sign language and picture exchange as a transitional communication tool.

Fewer are using high tech speech generating devices…..but let’s explore!

Children with Down syndrome learn most effectively……

Visual Support

Social Inclusion

Repetition

The research is IN……..

The research supporting increased verbal language using AAC is there and has been for 30+ years.

With recent advances in affordable technology we are now able to go beyond sign language to implement a more visual multi-modal approach including the use of more natural voice output.

How does AAC support increased verbal language?

Provides a visual (picture and/or words)

Provides a perfect model of speech at the single

word level

Provides a perfect model for sentence structure

(pre-programmed phrase based buttons or icons)

Mimics the most widely used mode of

communication

Can replace negative physical gestures (stomping,

hitting, biting)

MYTHS ABOUT USING AAC: 1. AAC is the last resort in speech intervention.

2. AAC hinders or stops further speech development.

3. Children must have a certain amount of skills to benefit from

AAC.

4. Children have to be a certain age to benefit from AAC.

5. Once my child starts using AAC no one will ever work with their

speech again.

6. My child will always have to use the AAC device. Or, my child

has already learned so many signs why we would we change now?

7. AAC devices are extremely expensive.

8. AAC makes a child look abnormal.

Supporting People Who Use AAC, Strategies: in Home, School & Community. SET, BC 4th ED., 2/2008

MYTH BUSTERS!!

AAC can increase independent speech production

AAC can increase utterance length by way of modeling

and practice

AAC can increase speech intelligibility

AAC can facilitate long term memory storage of

concepts and scripts based on independent repetition

AAC reinforces literacy concepts and sentence

structure

AAC can be used to aide in written expression

Types of Voice Output Technology

Dedicated SGD’s

iDevices (iPad, mini and

iPod)

Android tablets Recordable Device (single

use messages)

Android tablets with 4 Star Ratings

• Google Nexus 9 The Google Nexus 9's premium build, speedy performance and consistent updates render it one of the best high-end Android tablets.

Price: $395.00 - $599.76 (check prices)

• Nvidia Shield Even if you don't take advantage of its gaming prowess, the Nvidia Shield Tablet is one of the most versatile -- and affordable -- high-performance 8-inch Android slates you can buy. Price: $299.99 - $375.99 (check prices)

• Dell Venue 87000 With its powerful 3D camera and strong image editing features the Dell Venue 8 7000 makes the strongest case yet for tablet photography.

Price: $349.00 (check prices)

• Amazon Fire HDX 8.9 Impressive Amazon features and an outstanding display make the Fire HDX 8.9 one of the best and most affordable

media consumption tablets. Price: $379.00 (check prices)

cnet.com June 2015

Communication Apps NOT ALL APPS ARE CREATED EQUAL

Free vs. Affordable Ads In App Purchases Reputation of

Creator Technical Support

What’s Out There??

As of right now, there are 265 AAC apps listed in total55 of which are free17 of which are above $115.00

105 apps below $10.00

A Few of our App Picks

TouchChat - $149 - $299

Proloquo2Go - $249.99 Dynavox Compass -$179.99 GoTalk Now - $79.99 SonoFlex - $99.99

Apps available on Android

http://www.friendshipcircle.org/blog/2011/03/09/7-special-needs-apps-in-the-google-android-market/

Voice4uPrice: $29.99Link: https://market.android.com/details?id=com.voice4uaac.android.voice4uVoice4u, is a revolutionary picture based AAC (augmentative and alternative communication) application that helps individuals express their feeling, thought, actions and things they need. It is a perfect solution for learning and communication for individuals with autism. Voice4u includes over 150 Pre-loaded icons and lets you create your own icons and categories.

 

Link: https://market.android.com/details?id=com.jabstone.jabtalkJABtalk is an android application that provides a fresh new approach to speech and communication technology. Speech therapists commonly refer to JABtalk as an easy to use and effective AAC device. By combining personalized voice and images with an extremely simple user interface, JABtalk delivers a speech solution that is both fun to use and easy to learn.

JABtalkPrice: $9.99

TapToTalkPrice: Subscription based- $99.95 per child/yrLink: https://market.android.com/details?id=com.Assistyx.TapToTalkTapToTalk turns an Android device into an affordable AAC device. TapToTalk displays a set of pictures on the screen. When you tap a picture, TapToTalk plays a word or sentence and displays another screen of pictures. Each of those pictures can lead to another screen, and so on. For example, a picture representing Food can lead to a screen with pictures of Fruit, Vegetables, Sandwiches, Snacks and other foods.

AAC Speech BuddyLink:www.market.android.com/details?id=com.codedimensions.android.aacspeechPrice: $27.99AAC Speech Buddy create custom PECS Speech Sets. AAC Speech Buddy was created to quickly & easily create custom Speech Sets Online (aacspeech.com) which could be loaded on one or many AAC Speech Buddy Apps. AACSpeechBuddy allows users to quickly and easily create customized Speech Sets using their own photos or collected images, or using images from the AACSpeech.com image repository.

iAugCommPrice: $4.99Link: https://market.android.com/details?id=com.ideal.iaugcommCreated by Apps4Android, an Android software development company dedicated to developing Android applications that enhance the quality-of-life, independence and educational success of individuals with disabilities. iAugComm turns your Android into a powerful, high-quality, low-cost AAC device, which can enable individuals who are non-verbal or whose speech is difficult to understand to communicate easily and effectively using a simple, icon-based interface.

http://www.friendshipcircle.org/blog/2011/03/09/7-special-needs-apps-in-the-google-android-market/

Assessment

It is a process, not a single time event.

Assess to meet today’s needs, then tomorrow’s, and tomorrow’s

and tomorrow’s… Beukelman and

Mirenda

Where to Start

Consider Screen Size

Fine motor coordination

Vision Impairment

Visual Perceptual and Visual Motor Skill Level

Size and number of available icons

Grid Set-up (standard vs. customized)

Larger screen size adds to weight

Where to Start (con’t)

Consider Motor Skills Set-up Grid Size Icons Permanence Hidden Icons Motor planning, coordination, motor memory Hand strength, muscle tone and finger isolation Appropriate use of a tools Sensory Processing Ease of Transport

Determining a Vocabulary Most communication software comes with 3 types of vocabulary: Core

A set of words that are used frequently and can be used across contexts to express meaning and intent. These words tend to be verbs, pronouns and demonstratives.

Eighty percent of our vocabulary is made up of these 250 core words.

Basic Tends to be more noun and phrase based.

Blank

Single Finger Isolation - Tricks Of The Trade

Give all those “other fingers” something else to do.

Tricks of the TradeStart teaching this skill early, give support if needed.

The touch screen will not respond To the gloved finders.

Elliegrip commercially availableon amazon.com (Abilitations). Sold individually; red for right blue for left ($7.59).

Tricks of the Trade

Try a stylus, actually, try a few stylus’.

The smaller they are, the less“real estate” available for allthe other fingers. Bonus plugfits into the earphone jack forsafe keeping (Amazon.com $1.22 for a bundle of 10).

Metal tip stylus, for the kiddoswho just can’t help themselves…..the tip can not be picked or peeled Off. THANK YOU ASHLEE WILSON!

Don’t for get to use the above “tricks” that facilitate the functional tripod grasp.

Single Words vs. Quick Phrases

Combining single words for a meaningful message Takes time Teaches phrase structure

Quick Phrases for efficient communication Time saving Models increased utterance length Models correct sentence/phrase structure Provides more information during communication

breakdown

A complete and functional communication system should have both single words and quick chat phrases.

Individualizing the Device Take a quick assessment of when, where and

with who communication breakdown occurs. Use quick chat phrases for times of frustration

Determine some highly motivating items Allow your child to become good at using the

device by requesting highly motivating items/activities or places.

Become familiar with programming Visual attention (color coding) Button/Folder creation

External Speakers The trouble with the built in speaker

- It’s not always loud enough

External Bluetooth speakers available in all shapes, sizes and price ranges. Portable Wearable Affordable

Facilitate self confidence with increase volume

Self-Advocacy

Communication is a basic human right not a long or short

term goal on an IEP.

Once a functional communication system has been

identified as an effective means, it should be made available

at all times.

Verbal communication is powerful in our society. Adults are

more likely to honor a self-advocates “voice” no matter its

origin.

Pre-programed chat phrases provide communicators with

more opportunity for communication exchange vs. labeling.

Facilitating Social Exchange Creates opportunities for verbal social

exchange with unfamiliar listeners (let’s say….at McDonalds) Pre-teaching at home what you will order,

practicing ordering, and using device to order for themselves at the counter.

Texting, Tweeting and FB posting for teens and adults using AAC. Using word and symbol based apps like Proloquo4Text Offers word and sentence prediction for increased speed of social exchange

Our Go To Accessories

The retractable key reel + a sturdy case with added detachable keyrings

We have used the retractable key reel with iPad mini and iPods only.

During the initial assessment and use during therapy sessions.

Off-the-Shelf Cases

Chatbag.net

Strotter.com

ibackflip.com

iCAT(online. Target& Staples)

Google search: hands free iPad case

1. I wish my teacher would joke with me.

2. I wish my teacher would learn how to work my communication

device.

3. I wish my teacher would stop shouting at me like I can’t hear.

4. I wish my teacher would remember that I don’t always spell very

well.

5. I wish my teacher wouldn’t have a heart attack when my device

doesn’t work.

6. I wish my teacher would have more patience with me.

7. I wish my teacher wouldn’t hit my machine when it doesn’t

work………

that’s my mouth she’s hitting!

8. I wish my teacher would call on me for Share Day.

9. I wish my teacher would give me enough time to say what I’m

thinking. 10. I wish I could walk and talk like my sister and brother.

ASHA and Callier Center, Dallas

10 things I wish my teacher knew about AAC

Don’t be afraid to search for equipment and strategy ideas on the web (Google, Pintrest, Instructables, etc.). Look for what “makes sense” to you and your family, share with family/friends, therapists, teachers and doctors IF you feel it needs “fine tuning”.

Additional ResourcesFamily Center on Technology and Disability

http://www.fctd.info/

National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilitieshttp://www.nichcy.org

Center for Implementing Technology in Education http://www.cited.org/index.aspx

Assistive Technology in the Classroomhttp://atto.buffalo.edu/registered/ATBasics/Foundation/intro/index.php/

Wisconsin Assistive Technology Initiativehttp://www.wati.org/

Office of Special Education Programshttp://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers/osep/index.html

www.fctd.info