Follow Up on Augmentative Communication Devices

In the comment section below my last post, Liz Diz provided some links to some new options for families who are considering using an augmentative communication device.  I want to publish these on the blog itself rather than the comment section because I think it might be of interest to others:

Liz Ditz said...

The iPhone /iEverything apps developers are going wild: There's Grembe http://www.grembe.com/ There's one new to me: http://mytalktools.com/pHome.html Looks pretty slick, and if a parent already has an i-device, the cost is low enough to try it out.

Please comment if you have tried either of these options and have good information about pros and cons.  These new options are interesting and although I have not tried any of them yet I am hopeful that such options will result in getting a device into the hands of more children who need a device to support communication. It is also possible that when the software is created for devices that we are already familiar with like the iPhone, it may be easier for families to learn how to use the application.  For older children, using an iPhone has a certain Cool appeal that is attractive.

Here are some more links sent by Liz Diz:

I wanted to add a few more iPhone apps for your readers to check out. Some of the links lead to reviews and some to developers' pages.

I don't think there's "one ring to rule them all" -- one app that is perfect for everyone.

There's a blog covering Apple products and disability, ATMac, http://atmac.org/

ATMac covers all Apple products with a slant towards disability. We have an interest in users with a disability, adaptive and assistive technology, and making accessible programs and content


Go look at:

http://www.converseapp.com/, iConverse, a really simple AAC.


For those with hearing impairments, check out http://www.apptism.com/apps/soundamp SoundAmp

There's a ASL tutor app: http://idev2.com/iSign/iSign.html, iSign. There's a similar app, , http://atmac.org/sign-smith-asl-animated-dictionary-for-iphone-and-ipod-touch/SignSmit

h ASL

The "time timer" is a tool a lot of us use. Now there's an iPhone app version: http://www.appstorehq.com/timetimer-iphone-79828/app.

Grembe also makes iReward: http://www.grembe.com/home/ireward