STAR Training Newsletter: iPads & AAC

iPads & AAC Star Training October 2012

This month's STAR Newsletter focuses on using the iPad as an Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Device.   Advantages  Light weight and portable Socially acceptable Numerous apps for communication Affordable and easy to obtain Disadvantages Not covered by most medical insurance Numerous AAC apps and not all are effective for communication Theft of iPad since it can easily be re-sold Fragile-Repairs can be costly, but cases and warranties can help Tips Explore dedicated AAC devices There are advantages including funding, researched based language, multiple access methods, durability, warranties, and training on implementation.(Click here for a list of vendors) Picking the right App It is important to explore various apps with a speech therapist to pick the one that best meets the communication needs. Buying an app does not guarantee communication.  Implementation is key including training and opportunities for meaningful communication.   (Excellent comparison of various apps: http://www.aactechconnect.com/) Guided Access In Settings>Accessibility there is an option for guided access. When turned on, the app can not be changed unless a special code is entered.   www.StarTraining.org  Visit Star Training's website to find various AAC apps, low tech communication solutions, and links to AAC vendors and websites.

October is International AAC Awareness Month ISAAC (International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication) invites you to celebrate International AAC Awareness Month to raise awareness of the many different ways individuals communicate using AAC devices. ISAAC Website  Need Training? STAR collaborates with T.A.S.C. to provide trainings including  AAC and iPads. Let us know what your trainings need are by completing this 5-minute survey.  Click Here for the Survey    Funding an iPad There are numerous websites, national organizations, and local charities who may be able to assist in funding an iPad.   5 Ways to Get an iPad for Child with Special Needs!  Funding provide by Content created by:

Online AT Webinars from Closing the Gap (Nov-Jan)

Can't make it to the conference in Minneapolis (October 15-19)? Join CTG for their Upcoming Live Webinar Schedule!    Engaging and Interactive! NEW! CEUs now available for live webinars at no additional fee. Learn more. Dates: November 2012 - January 2013   90-Minute, Live Webinar Fees:  1-4 individuals -  $55 per person 5-24 individuals - $50 per person 25+ individuals - $45 per person   Session Titles: Student Response Apps for iPads, iPods and the Web (11/5, 1/14; PRESENTER: DAN HERLIHY) Is Your Head in the Clouds?? This can be a Good Thing! (11/8; MO BUTI) Creating ePub Documents on the iPad (11/15; MARK COPPIN) Switch Access on the iPad - Updated! (11/19; DAN HERLIHY) Video and Videography in the Special Needs Classroom (11/29; MARK COPPIN) Projection and Reflection: Projecting iPad Screens to Interactive White Boards and More! (12/3; DAN HERLIHY) Working with the Cloud: Saving, Moving and Accessing Files with Your iPad (12/17, 1/14; DAN HERLIHY)  Apps to Support Literacy for Struggling Readers (12/20; MARK COPPIN) Creating Content for the Diverse Learner (1/10; MARK COPPIN) Visit the CTG live webinar page to review the full schedule and to register for upcoming live webinars!   DAN HERLIHY is an Assistive Technology/Technology Resource Specialist, Connective Technology Solutions, Inc., Hoosick, NY.    MO BUTI, M.Ed., is a Special Education Administrator: Placement, Reintegration and Special Project for Children with Autism and Low Incidence, Chicago Public Schools, Chicago, IL.   MARK COPPIN, B.S., is an Apple Distinguished Educator and the Director of Assistive Technology, Anne Carlsen Center for Children, Jamestown, ND.

AAC Girls: Light Tech Backups for High Tech Devices

Link to the post on AAC Girls (CLICK HERE): 

How are you handling light tech backup systems for individuals who have high tech devices with complex language systems such as Unity or Word Power?  I am especially concerned about how to provide supports for students who use:
• Eye gaze or head mouse systems
• Switch scanning

When not well-positioned, these devices are typically just not available.  I know this is NOT a new question, but I feel like the gap between 'in-the-chair' and in other positions such as on the floor, relaxing in a bean bag chair, and in bed is getting wider as we are more successful in supporting access.

It seems that too often, unguided 20 Questions happens.  While PODD systems are amazing language systems, how would they translate for people who are already accomplished users of another language system?

Eagerly looking forward to a discussion and some great ideas! 
 
(Send your feedback to AAC Girls HERE)

AAC Eval Needed - McKeen County, PA?

Barbara Neth was contacted about doing an AAC eval in the McKeen county area of Pennsylvannia. It is a bit out of her geographical area. Anyone have a person or agency to refer to? We'll put you in touch with her - email HERE

iPod Touch as a Vocational Support for People with Autism

Re-posted from OT's with Apps (originally posted October 1, 2012)

Are you familiar with the Accessible Technology Coalition (ATC)?

The ATC provides numerous resources including free membership, monthly online webinars and a newsletter on AT topics. Their October 2012 newsletter features a link to the full research article from the Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation entitled “iPod Touch as a Vocational Support for People with Autism“.  Authored by Tony Gentry, Stephanie Lau, Alissa Molinelli from the Virginia Commonwealth University OT Department, Amy Fallen from the Career Support Services in Richmond, VA and Richard Kriner from VA Department of Aging and Rehabilitation Services, this article provides three case studies on the tools, apps and procedures used to provide successful AT interventions using iPods to people on the autism spectrum within a work environment.

This is an inspiring read providing mobile device intervention ideas and tools as they relate to individuals needing organizational and task management supports in a work environment. Interestingly, the apps they used within the case studies were primarily the OEM/Apple iOS apps such as iCal, Clock app, Notes app, Camera and Contacts app for their interventions. Purchased apps were low-cost or free including VoCal app, iReward app, and StoryKit app.

I encourage you to become inspired by the use of mobile devices to improve functional and vocational skills as presented in this research article. It also reminds me that even just a few basic mobile apps utilized for the right task can improve independence with good intervention models and creative application. Be inspired by this research article and check out ATC’s wonderful website resources!
- Carol

iPad Assistive Touch De-Mystified (finally)!

I never really knew what I was missing by not exactly understanding the Assistive Touch accessibility feature on the iPad (released in iOS 5, way way back in July 2011). Apple.com's site on accessibility includes the following, not-too-explicit description of AssistiveTouch:

"Built-in AssistiveTouch lets you enter Multi-Touch gestures using one finger or a stylus (sold separately). It also supports the use of adaptive input devices, like headsets and switches, so you can experience the full capability of iPad."

Somehow, I failed to look at this exceptional, 2011 video on Assistive Touch care of YouTube and insanelygreatmac (IGM; HERE) perhaps because I was 'too busy' or simply didn't have the immediate need to give access to hardware controls (such as Home button, volume up/down...) and Multi-Touch controls (pinch-in, pinch-out, 4-finger swipe between apps, etc.) for a particular client, so didn't make the time.

Until today! The Speech and Language Center at Villa Esperanza Services had the excellent opportunity to meet and confer with Tristan and Regan from the Business Team at the Apple Store in Pasadena in their ice-cold conference room at the rear of the store (delightful on a 106-degree, Pasadena Monday...). They fielded all variety of Apple-related questions and helped us to solve a few burning problems.

A new view on Assistive Touch, in brief:
- Are you able to reach the volume rocker switch? (No? Assistive Touch.)
- Have you hidden (or broken) you or your client's Home button? (Yes? Assistive Touch.)
- Can you pinch in? Pinch out? Swipe across the screen with 2, 3, 4, or 5 fingers? Or are you without the dexterity, or the digits, to do so?? (The answer: Assistive Touch.)

If you can still tap/poke the screen with a finger; knuckle; hand-held-, head- or mouth-stylus - then Assisitve Touch can help. Go into Settings, General, and scroll down to Accessibility. Select and scroll down to the Physical & Motor section and choose Assistive Touch; toggle it on; and then ask a trusted assistant to 'Create New Gesture...' where they will enact and record the Multi-Touch gesture(s) you want to be able to access with a simple series of taps to the screen via a finger, knuckle or stylus. Then, magically (as is so common with iOS devices), the Assistive Touch, on-screen, movable menu 'button' will appear on every screen you visit within your iPad, and will allow you access to the pre-determined hardware and Multi-Touch controls that you may otherwise be challenged to utilize.

HERE is a great, NEW video of Assistive Touch features for iOS 6 shared by OT's with Apps (view the blog, HERE). I haven't even begun to explore the updates...

Minspeak E-Newsletter, Issue 58

October 01, 2012 Pixon Teaching Tip: Pixons are single meaning pictures that you can use to help teach Unity® icon sequences. The word for this week is “have”. Compare the Pixon of the hand holding money to the Unity icon of money. Teach the meaning of the word “have” in the context of having money. Then work on de-contextualization of the word “have” by using it in different contexts (e.g., have other things, have an idea, etc.). Intervention Planning: Thank you to Christina Dal Santo, Annette O’Connor, and Malia Vigil for the Intervention Plan for teaching the core verb “have”. Use it with a PowerPoint show they developed called Tommy’s Party and a PDF book called Things I Have. Teaching Materials Exchange: October is right around the corner. You can ask questions and learn about Columbus Day with the book Christopher Columbus. The book is coded with Pixons and icon sequences from Unity®45, Unity®60, Unity®84, and Unity®144. Unity® Teaching App: Have parents, teachers, and therapists practice the patterns of Unity® using a new app from TapSpeak called Practicing Unity® Patterns. PUP is available through iTunes for $29.99.> Pittsburgh AAC Language Seminar Series: Register TODAY for an upcoming seminar series. Registration is FULL for the September and October presentations. Go to the Minspeak website for more information and to register for an upcoming series.