TapToTalk runs on many devices. All the Nintendo DS models: original DS, DS Lite, DSi and DSi XL. Apple devices: iPad, iPhone, iPod touch. Even PCs and Macs, including tablet PCs, netbooks and touchscreen PCs. So many to choose from!
The first thing to know is that you can run the same TapToTalk on multiple devices, serially or even at the same time. No extra charge! You can move from one device to another. You can move the TapToTalk card from one Nintendo DS to another. You can run the same TapToTalk on an iPhone and a Nintendo DS. You can have a whole symphony of devices if you wish. Still no extra charge!
Each device has its advantages. For example, the DS, DS Lite, DSi, iPhone and iPod touch fit in a pocket. The DSi XL is bigger and louder than these, better for those with fine motor and visual problems. The iPad is bigger and louder still, excellent for those with more severe physical limitations. The Nintendos can take a lot of abuse and keep running. And there are cost differences to consider.
But, when you choose your TapToTalk device, you are not making a fateful decision. We hear from customers who have moved from one device to another to meet their children's needs. We hear from customers who use more than one device. For example, a DS the child carries almost everywhere, a touchscreen computer at school, and mom's iPhone in the car. Also, did we mention...there is no extra charge for using the TapToTalk on all these devices.
Choose the device that makes sense for your child. Change your mind or need more than one device? That's no problem with TapToTalk.
If you have a TapToTalk idea or story you'd like us to share with other TapToTalk users, please email us at blog@taptotalk.com.
The TapToTalk Team
www.taptotalk.com
blog@taptotalk.com
Monday, June 28, 2010
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Australia Takes the Lead
TapToTalk has fans and users all over the world. We have Facebook fans in hundreds of cities and towns. Los Angeles, New York, Jackson and Philadelphia lead the American cities. But now Australia has climbed to the top of our list, with the first two cities, Sydney and Brisbane, and three of the top ten. England has two cites in the top ten, and Dublin, Ireland rounds out the leaders.
1. Sydney
2. Brisbane
3. New York
4. London
5. Los Angeles
6. Manchester
7. Melbourne
8. Dublin
9. Jackson
10. Philadelphia
11. Chicago
12. Newark
13. Columbus
14. Brighton
15. Boston
16. Birmingham
17. Indianapolis
18. Atlanta
19. Perth
20. Tampa
While the majority of our customers are in the US, we appreciate the strong following in Australia, the UK and Ireland. We are proud to be helping kids in so many places.
If you have a TapToTalk idea or story you'd like us to share with other TapToTalk users, please email us at blog@taptotalk.com.
The TapToTalk Team
www.taptotalk.com
blog@taptotalk.com
Monday, June 14, 2010
Summer Time and Your TapToTalk
Summer is here!
(Well, it is in the northern hemisphere, at any rate. For all of you down-under, we apologize for being a half-year off.)
Here are some things to think about for your child's TapToTalk as summer begins:
Going on vacation? How are you traveling? You may want to add pictures related to an airplane, train, boat or car trip. Or of the people or places you plan to visit. You could even set up an album just for trips.
Closer to home, it may be time to add pictures for the beach or the local pool or park. Or maybe summer camp. You could, for example, have pictures of the staff at your child's camp.
Do you have some communication goals for your child this summer? Perhaps you have discussed that with the teacher or SLP. How can you use TapToTalk to extend your child's communication capability this summer?
One TapToTalk Mom told us she started an album for the summer garden, with flowers, plants, vegetables, hose, rake, watering can, snails, and so forth.
These are just some thought-starters. Have a great summer!
If you have a TapToTalk idea or story you'd like us to share with other TapToTalk users, please email us at blog@taptotalk.com.
The TapToTalk Team
www.taptotalk.com
blog@taptotalk.com
(Well, it is in the northern hemisphere, at any rate. For all of you down-under, we apologize for being a half-year off.)
Here are some things to think about for your child's TapToTalk as summer begins:
Going on vacation? How are you traveling? You may want to add pictures related to an airplane, train, boat or car trip. Or of the people or places you plan to visit. You could even set up an album just for trips.
Closer to home, it may be time to add pictures for the beach or the local pool or park. Or maybe summer camp. You could, for example, have pictures of the staff at your child's camp.
Do you have some communication goals for your child this summer? Perhaps you have discussed that with the teacher or SLP. How can you use TapToTalk to extend your child's communication capability this summer?
One TapToTalk Mom told us she started an album for the summer garden, with flowers, plants, vegetables, hose, rake, watering can, snails, and so forth.
These are just some thought-starters. Have a great summer!
If you have a TapToTalk idea or story you'd like us to share with other TapToTalk users, please email us at blog@taptotalk.com.
The TapToTalk Team
www.taptotalk.com
blog@taptotalk.com
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Using Video to Communicate with Non-Verbal Students
Guest blogger Katie Shepard is a special education teacher at AchieveKids* in Palo Alto, California.
AchieveKids is a school for special needs children with serious behavioral challenges. My class is for students 16 to 22 years old with serious communication and other developmental disabilities. We work on life and vocational skills in preparation for adult programs.
I spend most of my time focusing on student communication. My classroom is structured to develop good communication for all students throughout the day. We use a variety of communication systems like sign, TapToTalk, PECS, and other assistive devices. All the attention on student communication made me start to think more broadly about how I communicate with the students. I began to question if there is a better way for me to communicate with my non-verbal students.
One of the solutions I have found is to use video. I am encouraging my students to use pictures and devices to talk with me, so why not do the same with them? I have had great success making short videos using a Flip Video camera. The Flip Video camera is small enough to fit in a pocket, easy to use and inexpensive. It has been a great choice for our classroom. The videos are able to communicate so much more than spoken or written words. I use the videos to:
Another student of mine makes slow progress on some of his IEP goals but has made huge strides in classroom behavior, following his schedule and accepting structure. I take videos of him to share with his parents and other members of the IEP team. The videos show the big picture of his progress and give so much more information about how he is doing than a written progress report.
The students love watching the videos and now I am experimenting with letting them make their own. I have been sharing the videos with parents and the IEP team. I am going to keep trying to find new uses for the videos and find ways to better communicate with my students.
*Phil Bookman, CEO of Assistyx, makers of TapToTalk, is board president at AchieveKids
If you have a TapToTalk idea or story you'd like us to share with other TapToTalk users, please email us at blog@taptotalk.com.
The TapToTalk Team
www.taptotalk.com
blog@taptotalk.com
AchieveKids is a school for special needs children with serious behavioral challenges. My class is for students 16 to 22 years old with serious communication and other developmental disabilities. We work on life and vocational skills in preparation for adult programs.
I spend most of my time focusing on student communication. My classroom is structured to develop good communication for all students throughout the day. We use a variety of communication systems like sign, TapToTalk, PECS, and other assistive devices. All the attention on student communication made me start to think more broadly about how I communicate with the students. I began to question if there is a better way for me to communicate with my non-verbal students.
One of the solutions I have found is to use video. I am encouraging my students to use pictures and devices to talk with me, so why not do the same with them? I have had great success making short videos using a Flip Video camera. The Flip Video camera is small enough to fit in a pocket, easy to use and inexpensive. It has been a great choice for our classroom. The videos are able to communicate so much more than spoken or written words. I use the videos to:
- Model behavior and concepts to students
- Reinforce good behavior
- Track student progress (parents love this)
- Document behaviors (parents love this)
- Document fun events to build memories
- Create video social stories
- Train staff
Another student of mine makes slow progress on some of his IEP goals but has made huge strides in classroom behavior, following his schedule and accepting structure. I take videos of him to share with his parents and other members of the IEP team. The videos show the big picture of his progress and give so much more information about how he is doing than a written progress report.
The students love watching the videos and now I am experimenting with letting them make their own. I have been sharing the videos with parents and the IEP team. I am going to keep trying to find new uses for the videos and find ways to better communicate with my students.
*Phil Bookman, CEO of Assistyx, makers of TapToTalk, is board president at AchieveKids
If you have a TapToTalk idea or story you'd like us to share with other TapToTalk users, please email us at blog@taptotalk.com.
The TapToTalk Team
www.taptotalk.com
blog@taptotalk.com
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Walk with us for Autism Speaks in San Jose, CA June 5
TapToTalk invites our Bay Area fans to visit our booth at Walk Now for Autism Speaks in San Jose on Saturday, June 5.
We'll give a free TapToTalk cap to the first two kids who show us their TapToTalk at our booth.
As they say on the Autism Speaks web site:
For more information, go to the event web site.
If you have a TapToTalk idea or story you'd like us to share with other TapToTalk users, please email us at blog@taptotalk.com.
The TapToTalk Team
www.taptotalk.com
blog@taptotalk.com
We'll give a free TapToTalk cap to the first two kids who show us their TapToTalk at our booth.
As they say on the Autism Speaks web site:
Join Autism Speaks as we walk to change the future for all who struggle with autism!
Walk Now for Autism Speaks is a fun-filled, family friendly event and is our single most powerful force to fund vital research that will lead us to the answers we need. Experience the power of thousands united by a single cause by joining Walk Now for Autism Speaks. Autism is the fastest-growing serious developmental disorder – we need more volunteers to join our fight. Whether this is your first walk or the 10th, take the first step and register today.
Every 20 minutes, another family receives the devastating news that their child has autism. Help us change that!
For more information, go to the event web site.
If you have a TapToTalk idea or story you'd like us to share with other TapToTalk users, please email us at blog@taptotalk.com.
The TapToTalk Team
www.taptotalk.com
blog@taptotalk.com
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