The Family Center on Technology and Disability
Assistive Technology Works
The Speech Newsletter
The Speech Newsletter is a joint newsletter/blog project between Advantage Speech Therapy Services and Children's Therapy Group "with the goal of providing newsworthy information to highlight professional tips, tricks, and tools that will help you help those kids around you!" Each month the newsletter provides information on a different topic. The first blog posting that appeared November 2012 covered technology and how it can be used in a therapeutic setting. ...
Published: 2013 by Robyn Romano & Brooke Todd , Reviewed: April 01, 2013
Lauren S. Enders, MA, CCC-SLP
Lauren Enders, MA, CCC-SLP is a speech-language pathologist and assistive technology consultant who has created an extensive collection of links to AT devices, tablet apps, software and related resources. Using the online bulletin board Pinterest, Ms. Enders invites other service providers, teachers, and parents to share their own favorite resources. The site serves as a forum in which participants can discuss the strengths and weaknesses of individual products and share ...
Published: 2012 by Lauren S. Enders, MA, CCC-SLP , Reviewed: 1 day ago
Sock Puppets
This app is terrific and can be used to teach listening and conversational skills. The app is free so I immediately downloaded it and started playing around with it. First, if you are not a kid who intuitively knows how to do these things, you should go the help section to get an idea of how to use the app. It took me a while to figure out that you ...
Published: 2012 by Smith Micro Software Inc., Consumer Division , Reviewed: September 26, 2012
StoryKit
StoryKit is a free iPhone app elegant in its simplicity and impact. It comes with 4 public domain stories with text and pictures, but its real power is in the ability to very quickly create new stories: type in text; add original illustrations, pictures, photographs; add sounds and speech; and then upload and/or email the completed story while maintaining complete privacy. Even very young students can use this app independently, ...
Published: 2012 by ICDL Foundation , Reviewed: October 11, 2012
Language Builder for iPad
Language Builder is a simple but excellent iPad app for students having a variety of problems with language creation. It joins Story Builder and Sentence Builder, other highly reviewed apps from the Mobile Education Store. It was rated the 3rd best educational app of 2011 by AppsForHomeschooling.com and the 9th best by SmartAppsForKids.com. The latest version 1.7.1 was released in September of 2012. In its simplest form, the Language Builder ...
Published: 2012 by Mobile Education Tools , Reviewed: November 13, 2012
Start-to-Finish Online Accessible Library
So much information is going to the ‘Cloud’ including Don Johnston’s Start to Finish books which have previously only been available on CD. This now makes them accessible to those who use Web-enabled mobile devices, iPads or computers. The collection is built on the same principles as the original Start to Finish collection where books are narrated by trained readers and are edited by speech language pathologists. The books are ...
Published: 2012 by Don Johnston, Inc. , Reviewed: September 24, 2012
PrAACtical AAC
This web site is created and maintained by 2 speech-language pathologists/college professors who wanted to share what they've learned and what they teach to parents, teachers, and professionals. Visitors to the site can read articles, view resources and videos, and share their own experiences with augmentative and alternative communication. There are separate sections dealing with different issues related to communication and people with disabilities. There are discussions of safety when ...
Published: 2012 by Carole Zangari, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, Robin Parker, CCC-SLP , Reviewed: September 26, 2012
Speech Language Neighborhood: Apps and Ideas for SLPs and Parents
This site was created by a Speech/Language Pathologist primarily to share her experiences using the iPad in speech and language therapy. The apps discussed are (mostly) ones she uses on a regular basis, and include a synopsis of how they are used in therapy with students. The categories include Articulation, Expressive/Receptive Language, Grammar, Pragmatics, and Augmentative Communication. Sections, grouped by age, feature a tab for each app, and contain a ...
Published: 2012 by Amanda Backof, M.S. CCC-SLP , Reviewed: August 13, 2012
Symbly
Symbly is a web-based visual support creator and editor for professionals and families working with individuals who are non-verbal and/or need visual communication support. The symbols are SymbolStix, Mulberry, and Noun Project Symbols as well as web searches. Because it is web-based, there is no loading of software and can be used wherever you go and then downloaded to a computer, iPhone or iPad. Users can create communication pages for ...
Published: 2011 by Symbly , Reviewed: January 19, 2012
Apps for Autism
The iPad and other Tablets have become giants in the technology industry. Because of their popularity, we are seeing a rush to develop applications, or "apps" designed for virtually every function. This CBS 60 Minutes news report investigates the usage and success of communication apps for individuals with Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome. Although it gives great hope for those looking for tools to strengthen communication, the report does not delve ...
Published: 2011 by 60 Minutes , Reviewed: January 30, 2012
Geek SLP
Created by Speech-Language Pathologist Barbara Fernandes, the founder and developer of Smarty Ears, the Geek SLP website reviews speech-language applications, discusses technology and apps in the classroom, and offers tips on using iPods and iPhones, iPads, Android, and other computer systems in speech-language therapies for auditory-verbal difficulties, autism, aphasia, AAC, and language delays. Geek SLP also includes apps and resources for parents and teachers plus how-to articles, event listings and ...
Published: 2011 by Barbara Fernandes , Reviewed: September 19, 2011
Technology in Use
Published as part of the Carr Intermediate School website, these "Technology in Use" videos document several uses for iPod Touch and iPad in a special needs classroom. The video examples include using iPod Touch applications to reduce students' self-stimulating and soothing behaviors, creating helpful social stories for the classroom, developing math skills, reading and following directions, and reading aloud. The videos also include an example of speech and social interaction ...
Published: 2011 by Chris Gonzales , Reviewed: July 12, 2011
Abilipad for iPad
Abilipad is a relatively new iPad app that starts with a notepad to which pictures and photos can be added, and adds word prediction, text-to-speech and a customizable keyboard. These tools can be used as a simple talking notepad, or can be developed into a wide variety of different learning environments and tools including communication, learning life skills, speech and language, social studies, etc. There are also tools that let ...
Published: 2011 by Cheryl Bregman , Reviewed: December 07, 2012
Early Intervention Speech Therapy
Stephanie Bruno is a speech therapist who practices in Pennsylvania and specializes in early intervention (EI). She created this blog to serve as an open forum for people involved with EI. The blog provides a biography of Stephanie and information about her work. Parents and early intervention providers can join her blog or sign up for digital subscriptions. Archives of all posts from the blog's inception in October of 2008 ...
Published: 2011 by Stephanie Bruno , Reviewed: February 17, 2012
Discover My Voice
MyVoice is an alternative and augmentative communications aid (AAC) designed to help non-verbal people communicate their basic needs and desires. It acts as a “virtual picture board”, a communication method that has been shown to work extremely well with many non-verbal children. MyVoice is designed to be extremely easy for caregivers to set up and users to use. Taking pictures of objects or activities that the individual may request takes ...
Published: 2011 by PDAscent , Reviewed: April 26, 2013
The Logan ProxTalker
There are many low-tech tools available with recording abilities. The ProxTalker is a unique low-tech device that has the capability of a high-tech device at a more affordable cost. Anyone who can use a picture exchange communication system (PECS) can use this, and it has voice-output. There are standard words included but it has the capability to be customized by a computer or with the recorder that is in the ...
Published: 2010 by ProxTalker.com , Reviewed: July 22, 2010
Early Intervention for young children with autism, cerebral palsy, Down ...
Janice Light and Kathryn Drager have identified a 5-step process to improve communication in young children with special needs. This website was developed out of a research study funded by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) as part of the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Communication Enhancement. They identified 9 children, from ages infant to preschool, who had complex communication needs and communicated in a variety of ...
Published: 2010 by Janice Light and Kathy Drager , Reviewed: September 21, 2010
Kindergarten.com
Kindergarten.com is a website designed to support children with developmental disorders that affect language and socialization, children who are frequently non-verbal. Using psychological research, this site works to build motivation to make the connection between the value of a word and the word itself. The tools are designed to be used with the iPhone or iTouch and apps that are purchased and downloaded from iTunes. They are organized by category: ...
Published: 2010 by Kindergarten.com , Reviewed: August 30, 2010
SpeechTechie
Speech Techie is a blog created by a Speech and Language Pathologist (SLP) who has a passion for using technology to develop language. The goal is to post several resources and tools a week and describe how to use them in therapy or intervention strategies. There are many websites and tools available, but it may be confusing as to how to implement them for a specific purpose. The blog was ...
Published: 2010 by Sean J. Sweeney, CCC-SLP , Reviewed: April 19, 2011
AAC Newsletter
AbilityNet is a national charity in England that supports the advancement and independence of individuals with disabilities. One of the projects is to write a bi-annual AAC newsletter. This newsletter lists resources, training opportunities and has updates on the newest ideas in AAC. It is a great resource and although not comprehensive, does provide excellent information and links to other great resources, techniques, and unique programs.
Published: 2009 by AbilityNet , Reviewed: September 21, 2010