ASHA 2011: Poster Session 8195
From AAC to Z-Ratios: iDevice Apps for Assessment and Intervention
Elizabeth Begley, M.A., C.C.C.-SLP & Mary Pitti, M.S., C.C.C-SLP
College Station Medical Center & Ithaca College
INTRODUCTION
Taking the world by storm “ iDevices” are changing the face of the delivery of speech-language pathology services.
A recent google search of “Speech-Language Pathologists and iPads” returned over 277,000 hits (Oct, 28, 2011).
According to 148Apps.biz, as of October 28, 2011 there were 475,795 total “active Apps” in the iTunes App Store.
From sources as diverse as the ASHA Leader, The Wall Street Journal, and 60 Minutes, professionals and nonprofessionals are sharing remarkable stories about iPad apps and their ability to help children and adults learn and
communicate. How does one sift through this tremendous data-base of apps to select the most effective ones for a
specific caseload or client? To a “non-Techy” this daunting task might seem impossible, but with a few starter apps
and some reliable sources of information, SLPs can be utilizing the power, fun, and creativity of the iPad in the time
in would take to score the Goldman-Fristoe!
This poster is designed to help SLPs use their iPads and related apps with confidence and ease. The following apps
are organized according to the ASHA “Big 9” areas of service delivery. In addition, resources to help you find and
evaluate your own apps, as well as six helpful tips for iPad use in therapy are included. App prices change
frequently and those listed were correct at the time of printing.
APPS ACROSS THE BIG NINE
AAC
1. ASL 101 $1.99 http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/sign-language-101/id340366181?mt=8
2. Assistive Chat $24.99 http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/assistive-chat/id379891874?mt=8
3. My Smart Hands Baby Sign Language $3.99 http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/my-smart-hands-baby-signlanguage/id366804871?mt=8
4. Proloquo2Go $189.99 http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/proloquo2go/id308368164?mt=8
5. Small Talk Aphasia Female Free http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/smalltalk-aphasia-female/id310102858?mt=8
Small Talk Aphasia Male Free http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/smalltalk-aphasia-male/id403064267?mt=8
6. TapSpeak Choice $149 http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/tapspeak-choice-for-ipad/id408507581?mt=8
7. Tap to Talk FREE http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/taptotalk/id367083194?mt=8
8. Verbally Free http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/verbally/id418671377?mt=8
Verbally Premium $99 http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/verbally-premium/id470081134?mt=8
ARTCULATION
1. ArtikPix Full $29.99 http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/artikpix-full/id356720379?mt=8
2. Articulate It! $39.99 http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/articulate-it!/id391296844?mt=8
3. Minimal Pairs $29.99 http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/minimalpairs/id416573790?mt=8
4. Pocket SLP $29.99 http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/pocket-slp/id359179209?mt=8
5. Speech Trainer $7.99 http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/speech-trainer-3d/id418333616?mt=8
6. Sunny Articulation Test $49.99 http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/sunny-articulationphonology/id371280343?mt=8
COGNITIVE ASPECTS OF COMMUNICATION
1. English Baby $2.99 http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/english-baby/id399585849?mt=8
eFlash English & eFlash English 2 Free http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/baby-flash-cards/id378668742?mt=8
2. Google Maps, Calendar, Clock (installed)
3. See, Touch, Learn $.99 http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/see.touch.learn./id406826506?mt=8
4. The Naming Test 19.99 http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/the-naming-test/id426570285?mt=8
5. Comprehension TherAppy $19.99 http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/comprehensiontherappy/id438069999?mt=8
ASHA 2011: Poster Session 8195
EARLY INTERVENTION
1. iBaby Buttons $1.99 http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ibaby-buttons/id430261125?mt=8
2. Itsy-Bitsy Spider $1.99 http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/id331863487?mt=8
3. My Play Home $2.99 http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/my-playhome/id439628153?mt=8
4. Pat the Bunny $3.99 http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/pat-the-bunny/id430902036?mt=8
5. Peek-a-boo Barn $1.99 http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/peekaboo-barn/id300590611?mt=8
6. There’s a Monster at the End of This Book $3.99 http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/the-monster-at-end-thisbook/id409467802?mt=8
7. Wheels on the Bus $1.99 http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/wheels-on-the-bus/id303076295?mt=8
FLUENCY
1. DAF Assistant $12.99 http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/daf-assistant/id309496166?mt=8
2. DAF Assistant Legacy $9.99 http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/daf-assistant-legacy/id339668031?mt=8
3. Fluency Exam $4.99 http://itunes.apple.com/ar/app/fluencyexam/id375097558?mt=8
4. Fluency Tracker $8.99 http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/fluency-tracker/id352274124?mt=8
HEARING
1 Siemens Hearing Test FREE http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/siemens-hearing-test/id394674665?mt=8
2. SPL Meter $1.99 http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/spl-meter/id309206756?mt=8
3. TinniTest $2.99 http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/tinnitest/id375065845?mt=8
4. UHear FREE http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/uhear/id309811822?mt=8
LANGUAGE
1. Cookie Doodle, Cake Doodle $.99 http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/cookie-doodle/id342128086?mt=8
More Toast, More Salad $.99 http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/more-toast!/id296180799?mt=8
2. Same Meaning Magic (Synonyms) & Same Meaning
Magic Part II- FREE http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/same-meaning-magic-synonyms/id443212030?mt=8
3. Toontastic $ 1.99 http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/same-meaning-magic-synonyms/id443212030?mt=8
4. StoryKit- Free http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/storykit/id329374595?mt=8
5. StoryPatch $2.99 http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/story-patch/id388613157?mt=8
6. Speech with Milo: Verbs, Sequencing, Prepositions, $1.99-2.99 http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/speech-withmilo-verbs/id405441288?mt=8
7. Talking Apps (Chippy, Ben, Gina, John, Tom, Rex) $.99 / FREE
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/talk-chippy-free-ipad-edition/id386294588?mt=8
8. Opposite Ocean (Antonyms) & Opposite Ocean Part II FREE http://itunes.apple.com/sv/app/opposite-oceanpart-ii/id455692967?mt=8
SOCIAL COMMUNICATION
1. Autism Apps FREE
2. The Little Book of Feelings $.99 http://itunes.apple.com/ve/app/how-are-you/id401199822?mt=8
3. Hidden Curriculum for kids, for Adolescents and Adults $1.99 http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/hiddencurriculum-for-kids/id351224500?mt=8
4. Model Me Going Places & 2 Free http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/model-me-going-places/id347813439?mt=8
5. Moody Monster Manor FREE http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/moody-monster-manor/id424283255?mt=8
6. Turn Taker- Special Education & Autism $4.99 http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/turn-taker-specialeducation/id399113420?mt=8
SWALLOWING
1. Small Talk Dysphagia FREE http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/smalltalk-dysphagia/id337184701?mt=8
2. Small Talk Oral Motor Exercises FREE http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/smalltalk-oral-motorexercises/id337145605?mt=8
ASHA 2011: Poster Session 8195
3. iSwallow FREE http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/iswallow/id417088543?mt=8
VOICE
1. Voice Analyzer Pro $1.99 http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/voice-analyzer-pro/id377798033?mt=8
2. Cleartube-Chromatic Tuner $3.99 http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/cleartune-chromatictuner/id286799607?mt=8
3. Decibel Meter Pro $.99 http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/decibel-meter-pro/id382776256?mt=8
4. S/Z Ratio $1.99 http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/s-z-ratio/id405190876?mt=8
5. oScope $4.99 http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/oscope/id344345859?mt=8
6. Upper Respiratory Virtual Lab FREE http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/upper-respiratoryvirtual/id435530624?mt=8
7. Voice Record $1.99 http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/voice-record/id284426464?mt=8
APP RESOURSES
The following FREE apps and websites are designed to help you sort through the maze of apps and find those that
best suit your needs. The App Shopper will alert you when an app on your Wish List drops in price. This is a great
way to pick up a bargain, as many apps fluctuate in price over the course of a month. Other sites such as Giggle
Apps and Geek SLP also provide detailed description of the app and as well of a review of the features. These sites
are always changing and updating their lists, so it helps to set aside a time (weekly or bi-weekly) to see what’s new.
Hint: push notifications must be ON if you want the app to alert you when a wish list item goes on sale.
1. Geek SLP http://www.geekslp.com/
2. App Shopper http://appshopper.com/
3. Momswithapps http://momswithapps.com/
4. Autism Apps http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/autism-apps/id441600681?mt=8
5. Apps 4 Children with Special Needs http://a4cwsn.com/
6. Giggle Apps http://www.giggleapps.com/
When looking for apps, it’s helpful to look at both the Customer Ratings and the Customer Reviews both shown
directly below the Screen Shots. Don’t forget to see the “Customers Also Bought” at the bottom of each app
description, as well as the Developer Page (upper right side of app page).
SIX TIPS TO HELP YOU GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR DEVICE
1. Upgrading is important. Make sure to check for upgrades regularly. These are often include new features and
improved performance and are always free.
2. For important websites or iTunes University use the Save to Home Screen option for quick and easy access to
these sites.
3. Protect your idevice with an Otterbox (www.otterbox.com).
4. iBooks/PDF shelf is an excellent place to store/access AAC Communication Boards, PDF documents, and other
papers.
5. Organize your apps according to categories the meet your needs. Activate apps by holding down a single app
until all apps start to wiggle, then hold and drag one app onto another. This triggers a new box that you can give
any title (Articulation, Voice, Fairy Tales) and that will hold up to 20 apps.
6. Open the apps you’re planning to use before therapy: a double tap on the home button will bring apps in a
sequential line at the bottom of your iPad for quick and easy access.
REFERENCES
2005 Standards and Implementation Procedures for the Certificate of Clinical Competence in
Speech-Language Pathology,, http://www.asha.org/about/membershipcertification/
handbooks/slp/slp_standards.htm
Mobile Device and Communication Apps: An AAC-RERC White Paper, http://aacrerc.
psu.edu/index.php/pages/show/id/46
Apple Store Volume Purchase Program, (2011)
ASHA 2011: Poster Session 8195
http://www.apple.com/itunes/education/?aosid=p204&siteid=1503186&program_id=2554&cid=AS-EMEAAFF&tduid=a95c59fab66b7b98a2baaa4ab2d75a9b
Applications (Apps) for Speech-Language Pathology Practice (2011)
http://www.asha.org/SLP/schools/Applications-for-Speech-Language-Pathology-Practice.htm(retrieved, March 9,
2011)
Rowden-Racette, K. (2011, January 18). In the Limelight: Navigating High School and Beyond : School-Based
Clinician Helps Teens With Autism Spectrum Disorders Succeed. The ASHA Leader.
Valentino-Devries (October 13, 2010) Using the iPad to Connect: Parents, Therapists Use iPad to Communicate
with Special Needs Kids, Wall Street Journal.
CONTACTS
Elizabeth Begley, M.A. C.C.C.-SLP
Department of Speech-Language Pathology
College Station Medical Center
1602 Rock Prairie Road, College Station, TX 77845
(979) 764-5122
[email protected]
Mary Pitti, M.S. C.C.C.-SLP
Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology
Ithaca College, Ithaca NY 14882
(607) 274-1765
[email protected]