An SLP from Ireland told us,"One of my goals in speech and language therapy is to support and encourage families to get involved in programming devices, adding on family pictures, etc. so that ultimately they will be as independent as possible in the use of such systems."
To which we add a loud and hearty "YES!"
Today, thousands of families use TapToTalk Designer to create and update AAC content for TapToTalk. They organize the pictures into albums the way they want them. They choose their own pictures from our library and add their own as they see fit. They record the sounds played, so they have control over the language, vocabulary, and accent. And they do it from any PC or Mac computer with web access.
Many of these families start out with help from an SLP, OT, teacher or other professional. Often, they collaborate, which web-based TapToTalk Designer makes easy. Sometimes, the teacher handles the album for school and mom does the one for home. Sometimes the professional support continues; sometimes, it does not.
Often, really great things happen when the TapToTalk user gets involved in the design. After all, it his/her communication device. What do you want to be able to say? What picture would you like for that? As TapToTalk Mom Caroline Louise Curran said, "Emel told me she wants me to make her a McDonalds album for her TapToTalk so she can order her own food. That's my job for tomorow. She just loves her TapToTalk."
Our goal is empowering kids by helping them communicate--by giving them a voice. Empowering families is a great way to do that.
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
