Talk+ Touch App Gone Free

Posted on April 27, 2013 by Carol Leynse Harpold, MS, OTR/L, SCLV, ATP, CATIS

Talk+ Touch App Talk+ Touch icon

Talk+ Touch app for iPhone and iPad is currently  free (regularly .99) allowing customization of 1-2 cells with images, video, text and audio recording for a speech generating communication or choice tool. I have seen this app but never worked with it  so it was time to check it out.

This app is a choice making, communication app providing choices of 1 or 2 buttons on each screen. Below is a screen shot of two of the existing Yes/No set ups that come with the app:

Talk+ Touch pic3

Here is a quick “Help” button I made.  The name for the button which displays on the button is also the name on the picture. This is okay if there is not a picture but in this case (below) the word is not needed, however the button requires a name to create and be identified in the list of buttons. A work around could be to enter a . or something minimally seen, however it would be difficult to later identify in the named list of buttons.

Talk+ Touch pic 4

One of the settings available is the ability to “favorite” buttons which allows only those buttons displayed. You can favorite as many as possible and if each of the pages of buttons are created in order you can swipe between the pages to create a first then sequence. Here is a first then sequence within the app for toileting which allows audio and image first then (it could allow video) sequence:

Talk+ Touch pic5You can swipe to the left to move from one page or set up to the next.  Talk+ Touch pic6

The customization screen for Talk+ Touch allows customization, choosing favorite pages and displaying 1 or 2 buttons on a page. When adding a new button naming, recording and adding images/video as seen on the bottom left image are options available:

Talk+ Touch pic1

Talk+ Touch app has possibilities but is limited and has some quirky things about it. The simplicity of naming and the word name seen on the button creates some issues for such buttons as shown with the Help button created above. Also, when naming the button all the letters in capitals requiring  uncapping for each letter typed, a rather unusual convention. Although the number of different 1 or 2 button pages are unlimited, only one set up at a time can be displayed or you would need to scroll through each of those created to locate the button desired. The app provides all or one selection of favorite buttons, limiting its use quite considerably to either all of them or just those chosen as favorite.

As a free app, Talk+ Touch could be worth it for a quick Yes/No or Help button if needed but is quite limited.  Pages can only display one or two choices. If you were using this app for first/ then sequence, you would need to create the buttons in the order needed as there is not an option for changing the order of the app. This might be worth using, if free, for a short video sequence of a task for a student, however this also could easily be done with story telling apps such as Story Creator, a free book app.

Other free apps are  available that provide more flexibility with creating, naming and saving communication set up needed for a student such as AbleNet’s SoundingBoard or SpeakAll! apps to name just a few.

Sometimes you just have to try them to know! Check it out if free to see what you think. If I have missed applications for use of this app, please share!

Carol

 

 

 

Posted in App Reviews, Apps for OT's, Apps for Special Needs, Augmentative Communication, Choice Making app, iPad, iPhone, iPod, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Find the Perfect App

Posted on April 27, 2013 by Carol Leynse Harpold, MS, OTR/L, SCLV, ATP, CATIS

Special Needs Apps Review

The Friendship circle pic 5

App search engines for individuals with special needs are fortunately becoming more prevalent, aiding in the search for “just the right app” for your mTool Kit. I recently stumbled upon the Special Needs App Review search engine, a new tool for finding apps developed by the Friendship Circle, a non-profit, national organization.

The Special Needs App Review currently has eight categories as seen below along with Popular and Most Recent apps featured.

The Friendship Circle pic1Choosing a the Life Skills category yield the following web page search options and results (this was page one of two, a page navigation is available at the bottom of the page but not seen in this screen clip):

The Friendship Circle search engine pic3

Apple and Android apps are available for review. Currently there are about 200 apps reviewed with more Apple than Android. Some apps were rated and others not. Platform and cost are listed on this main category search results page.

In depth review of individual apps provides additional information on the app including a description, comments and screen shots about the app:

The Friendship Circle search pic4

Other similar apps are offered at the bottom of the screen. Links to the app in iTunes is immediately available for more information or purchase.

Although the numbers of apps available in the search engine is currently limited, this Special Needs App Review provides another choice for app search and review. The developers, the Friendship Circle are a reliable source for reviewing apps having expertise in supporting individuals with special needs. Their blog  Friendship Circle – Special Needs Blog provides a wealth of information on parenting, products, resources, special education, therapy tips, legal and planning and more as related to individuals with special needs and those who support them.

It is well worth the visit with something for almost everyone offered in the Friendship Circle Blog.

Resources for searching for tools for your teaching or OT mTool Kit!

Carol

 

 

Posted in Android, App Reviews, App Search Engine, Apps for OT's, Apps for Special Needs, Game, iPad, iPhone, iPod, Life Skills, Occupational Therapy, Social Skills, Special education | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Quixey Search Engine for Apps

Posted on April 25, 2013 by Carol Leynse Harpold, MS, OTR/L, SCLV, ATP, CATIS

Searching for an app?

Quixey nameHave you used Quixey.com lately?

Quixey online app search engine has been around for a while but now has a new look and many search options.  It appears to be a robust search engine with many choices to narrow your search by device, operating system, browner, web-based app and subject you are looking for. Having used it in the past, the new version yeilded much better results and a more friendly search options. Here are the search options:

1. Searching all of the apps in its data base (see below).

2. Search by mobile device (below):

Quixey pic1

3. Search by type of desktop system:Quixey pic2

4. By Browser:

Quixey pic7

5. Web search options.

Quixey pic8

Although not a search engine like Bridging App, a search engine created specifically for apps related to individuals with disabilities, it is another option for finding apps in general needed for business, personal or organization that includes a variety of devices including Chrome extensions and browser (yet another platform now frequently used at school).

A search using the subject word prediction generated the following list (there are many more in the list) resulting in many familiar apps with word prediction as well as unfamiliar app names. Cost, rating, developer and brief description is listed with a link to an expanded view of information.

Quixey pic5

The online search engine has a clean, easy to navigate interface. Having another option for identifying apps or extensions such as needed for the Google platform is very helpful with the wide variety of platforms and devices available and widely used.

Using Quixey this time was a much improved experience or past trials. Quixey will be another go to search engine for the quest for solutions for clients’ and personal app needs.

A resource to support your OT mTool Kit – what ever the platform or device!

Carol

Posted in Android, App Reviews, Apps for OT's, Google Docs, iPad, iPhone, iPod, Mobile Device Use | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

My Pain Diary: Chronic Pain Management

Posted on April 21, 2013 by Carol Leynse Harpold, MS, OTR/L, SCLV, ATP, CATIS
My Pain Diary icon

My Pain Diary App

My Pain Diary: Chronic Pain Management app for iPhone and iPad (4.99) is a highly rated app for tracking pain for patients. A review entitled “Chronic Pain Management App is Filled with Great Features”, by Lynn Mueller, PT in Advance for Physical Therapy, the app was found to be easy to use, organized and provided data collection to help therapists recommend interventions for the user or patient.

Here are some screen shots of the app:

My Pain Diary pic2

My Pain Diary pic1

The app has many useful features including tracking and rating pain daily using a visual pain scale with a rating from 0-10. Customization within the app allows it to be uniquely geared to an individuals needs.   Outcome graphs can be created to show and share visually graphed pain as well as email options.

Here is video describing the app:

Limitations of the app were cited by the developer as lack of annotation of factors such as diet, sleep, menstruation or medication not currently available.

My Pain Diary app was found to be a helpful app for self monitoring pain, track pain occurences over time and collect data for review  and treatment recommendations by a therapist.  This app appears to be an inexpensive therapeutic tool to support determining treatment options for your patients. For more information visit the My Pain Diary website: http://www.chronicpainapp.com/ .

Carol

http://physical-therapy.advanceweb.com/SharedResources/Downloads/2012/082012/PT_PainAppReview.pdf

Posted in App Reviews, Apps for OT's, Customizable app, iPad, iPhone, Medical, Mobility Impairment, Occupational Therapy, Physical Disability Tool, Rehabilitation | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Awesome Memory App

Posted on April 21, 2013 by Carol Leynse Harpold, MS, OTR/L, SCLV, ATP, CATIS
Awesome Memory pic1

Awesome Memory App

Awesome Memory iconAwesome Memory app (free) for iPad is a simple memory matching game suited for all ages. This is an app I use with my mother whose memory is failing because it does not appear juvenile. She enjoys playing this memory game and it holds her attention with support for much longer than most other activities. I am also amazed at what she can hold in her memory to complete the game when fewer cards are provided, a great way to scaffold successful recall for her. It is just one of a number of iPad apps she enjoys during visits.

While searching for resources on line I found this great article that featured Awesome Memory app and suggestions for using it for memory strategies with individuals with cognitive impairment. Megan Sutton, in her article ” Introducing Memory Strategies” describes her use of Awesome Memory app along with writing cues of what object was under each card for the user.

Used as an example of how writing information down aids memory, Ms. Sutton explains in her article how she uses this as a precursor to writing information into a calendar or other note writing tool with clients.

More tools and strategies for your OT mTool Kit.

Reference:

Sutton, M., October 15, 2012, Introducing Memory Strategies. Retrieved on 4-21, 2013 from http://community.advanceweb.com/blogs/sp_6/archive/2012/10/15/introducing-memory-strategies.aspx .

Posted in App Reviews, Apps for OT's, Apps for Special Needs, Cognitive Impairment, iPad, Memory, Occupational Therapy, Rehabilitation | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Rehabilitation Apps for Patients

Posted on April 20, 2013 by Carol Leynse Harpold, MS, OTR/L, SCLV, ATP, CATIS

Rehab appsRehabilitation Apps

RehabCare Advantage in their post shares a list of apps appropriate for patients’ personal use during and after rehabilitation. Some of the apps listed include:

  • Dragon Dictation
  • My Pain Diary
  • My Fitness Pal

Read their news for more apps and information at the links above.

Have you used these apps? Share any that you have successfully used!

Carol

Posted in App Reviews, Apps for OT's, iPad, iPhone, iPod, Medical, Occupational Therapy, Rehabilitation, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Chore Pad and Little Writer Apps Gone Free for April 20, 2013

Posted on April 20, 2013 by Carol Leynse Harpold, MS, OTR/L, SCLV, ATP, CATIS

Finding free apps always seems like treasure hunting and on iOSnoops today a couple of free treasures can be found:

Chore Pad iconChore Pad – (free- reduced from 2.99) Assign chores in a list with image support and check off capabilities. Users gain stars as rewards for completion of tasks.

 

Little Writer Pro iconLittle Writer Pro – (free- reduced from 1.99) provides writing and tracing practice for upper and lower case letters, numbers, shapes and words. Customizable. Developed by Alligator Apps.

Check these free apps out to see if they will be part of your OT mTool Kit!

Carol

Posted in App Reviews, Apps for OT's, Apps for Special Needs, AT for Handwriting, Free apps, Handwriting, Occupational Therapy, Organization | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Zybox for iOS – another VoiceOver switch interface option for the iPad

Posted on April 19, 2013 by Carol Leynse Harpold, MS, OTR/L, SCLV, ATP, CATIS

Zybox for iOS

(Also linked from Scoop.it – OT mTool Kit)

The Zybox for iOS is a new switch interface from Zygo that uses VoiceOver to control the iOS and VoiceOver compatible apps on your iPad or iPhone. The most significant advantage of this adapter is …

Carol Leynse Harpold‘s insight:

Jane Farrall shares her expertise on another switch access interface from Zygo that uses VoiceOver to control iOS at: http://www.janefarrall.com/blog/2013/03/31/zybox-for-ios-another-voiceover-switch-interface-option-for-the-ipad/

Jane always provides through reviews!

Carol

See on www.janefarrall.com

Posted in Accessibility, iOS, iPod/iPad Accessory, Mobility Impairment, Occupational Therapy, Switch Access | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Favourites and Collections – Creating bookshelves in Tar Heel Reader

Posted on April 18, 2013 by Carol Leynse Harpold, MS, OTR/L, SCLV, ATP, CATIS

Favorites and Collections – Creating bookshelves in Tar Heel Reader by Jane Farrall.

See on Scoop.it – OT mTool Kit

This is my third blog post about the new look Tar Heel Reader.  I am finding these new features so useful – and I hope you are too. In this post I’m going to focus on Favourites and Collections – b…

Carol Leynse Harpold‘s insight:

Jane Farrall share her use of favorites and collection options in the new features offered on Tar Heel Reader. As always she does an excellent job of explaining the how to use this great resource.

http://www.janefarrall.com/blog/2013/04/16/favourites-and-collections-creating-bookshelves-in-tar-heel-reader/

Carol

See on www.janefarrall.com

Posted in Accessibility, Early Childhood, eBook Creating, Education, Elementary School, Emergent Literacy, iBooks, iPad, iPhone, Language Arts, Occupational Therapy, Reading, Story Telling | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Endless Alphabet app

Posted on April 18, 2013 by Carol Leynse Harpold, MS, OTR/L, SCLV, ATP, CATIS

Endless Alphabet pic1

Endless Alphabet iconEndless Alphabet app is one of those must have apps if you are working with young children. Free, Endless Alphabet is definitely a bargain and certainly worth an in- app purchase of .99 to remove ads.

Child tested, this is a motivating and endless supply of words for students to learn and spell with new words added weekly.  A couple of my tech savvy teaching/OT colleagues (thank you Gina and Erin) who have children and iDevices and work with students have shared their “you’ve got to see this app” enthusiasm for Endless Alphabet! Created by the developers of Sesame Street Monsters at the End of this Book, this app is engaging for the user and supplies them an endless vocabulary in a multi-sensory mode.

So what’s the big deal about Endless Alphabet? Seeing is believing – check out this video from AppsForKidsReviews to see the app in action:

If you don’t have a need for this app, share it with parents, teachers and kids! I think it is a keeper for sure (you also can’t beat free!).

Carol

Posted in App Reviews, Apps for Special Needs, Early Childhood, Free apps, iPad, Occupational Therapy, Primary Grades | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments