Today's handheld devices have sparked a revolution in augmentative and alternative communication. Users now can choose from a variety of AAC solutions that are truly portable, affordable, socially acceptable and customizable. Let's look more closely at what each of these advances really means for non-verbal and partially-verbal kids.
Portable
A modern AAC device should be able to go with you wherever you go. That's why TapToTalk runs on Nintendo DS, DS Lite, DSi and DSi XL devices. It runs on iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. It runs on Android devices, which come in a wide variety of sizes. And it runs on Windows or Mac PCs, laptops, tablets and netbooks. So you can choose the size and type of device that suits your needs. Or, better yet, you can run on several different devices. A child may use a DSi at home, an iPad at school, mom's iPhone in the car and a computer with a large touch screen during speech therapy sessions. They can all run the same TapToTalk AAC content (and for no extra charge). That's true portability.
Affordable
Many of the devices TapToTalk runs on are extremely economical, and many users already have them. A subscription to TapToTalk Designer costs only about a quarter a day. So AAC is no longer a multi-thousand dollar decision. And, since you can move your TapToTalk from device to device, you can change devices over time as your child grows up and as the technology improves.
Socially Acceptable
Kids are kids, and they do not want to lug around an AAC device that their friends make fun of. TapToTalk runs on a wide variety of popular devices that kids agree are cool. And you can change devices as your child grows up, so they are always using a device that is socially acceptable. So you won't ever face the shelfware problem with TapToTalk (shelfware is what some call the AAC devices that sit on a shelf because kids don't want to lug then around).
Customizable
AAC content needs to met the needs of your child today, and be easily updated to meet his or her needs as they change in the future. TapToTalk Designer lets you individualize AAC albums to meet your child's individual needs, and change them as your child grows. You can chose from our library of of over 2,500 pictures, and add your own photos and pictures from other sources. You record the sounds, so you control the language, vocabulary, sentence structure and accent. You can make an album as simple or complex as you want, with one to twelve pictures on a screen. And each picture can lead to another screen, and so on.
TapToTalk is a recognized leader in the AAC revolution, and we are committed to continuing to lead the way.
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
