Downloads | Overview
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Our goal
It is not our intent to review every app or media device that has been or will soon be released. Rather our goal is to provide a framework, based upon well established clinical considerations for feature matching a person's strengths and needs to available tools and strategies (Shane and Costello, 1994), and apply that to comparing and selecting an iDevice platform and apps (refer to Table). Only through an informed clinically based selection, can we minimize the emerging trend toward selecting communication apps based on the robustness of media coverage, public testimonials or recommendations from well meaning friends and family.
To this end, a chart was created to detail the features known to be vital considerations for a broad profile of people with complex communication needs. Not all of these features currently exist in apps thus highlighting the need to match a person’s needs to the right tools and strategies and NOT try to fit a person to a specific platform or app. In addition, this chart should be considered as dynamic ( the number of communication apps is constantly growing as is the scope of available features).
The Chart:
Feature Matching Communication Applications Chart (PDF)
To better understand the application of the chart, a case study will illustrate application of the assessment process and use of the app feature matching process/chart.
Case Study:
Nancy, a 69-year-old woman with Bulbar ALS was seen in August 2010 (Table 1.1 & 1.2)
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| Purpose of Use and Patients “requests” |
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In Nancy’s case, the iPad is a tool that meets most of her communication needs, serving as her primary communication system. Recommendations in addition to the iPad during the AAC consultation included use of pen and paper (for written messages) and a low-tech alphabet board. Yet the iPad will be used as her primary tool due to the voice output features, ability to pre-store messages, and word prediction (thus enhancing the rate of communicative interactions). Assistive Chat was selected as the primary communication app, matching key features that Nancy needs within her price range (Table 1.2).
In Nancy’s case, both Prolqou2go and Easy Speak had just as many “matched” features to the final app choice. Yet in trialing them in the assessment with Nancy, she voiced a clear preference for Assistive Chat (due to quality of voice and what she described as “the best prediction”); thus stressing the importance of step four in Table 1.2.
Related articles
ASHA Perspectives, July, 2011
Using a Clinical Approach To Answer “What Communication Apps Should We Use?” (PDF)
Gosnell, Costello & Shane
ASHA Leader, October 11, 2011
Apps: An Emerging Tool for SLP's
Jessica Gosnell
Video demonstration of the Feature Matching Process for Nancy.
The Boston Children's Hospital service delivery model for patients who are Communication Vulnerable was recently highlighted in the AAC-RERC spotlight on Supporting Effective Patient-Provider Communication Across Health Care Setting
ACP FACEBOOK DOWNLOADS
Alternative Access Assessment for AAC ASHA 2018
ASHA 2018 - AAC ICU and Acute Care Settings - requirement for best care
Speech synthesis history current and future asha
First then, 2018 (ACP Facebook download)
Communication Profile Template
Modular Hose
Cursor Access to keyboard and Mouse
Cursor Access to Keyboard and Mouse for MAC
HeySiri info
Inpatient Communication Profile
AAC and VI #1
Inpatient AAC position
Welcome Peggy
Welcome Amaliya
Bilingual GoTalk Now
AAC and Trach Santiago ASHA 2015
inpatient Social story one
inpatient Social story two
Message Bank Resource
ALS Program two-pager.2
Aided Language Stimulation
ALSMND ISAAC 2016
Lisa Bardach Communication Needs Questionnaire
ALS Newfoundland full day lecture
ASHA 2016 Costello and Dellea
Visuals for Receptive Language A. O'Brien
Message banking and Legacy Message definitions and examples
BCH ALS Message bank, Legacy Message definition and examples 2017
Core Vocabulary and Literacy
Lisa Bardach app comparison
Katie O'Neil AAC, VI and Low Tech access to language
2017 Mass Down Syndrome Congress Rose and Grossman
ASHA 2014
ISAAC 2014 Lisbon, Portugal July 19-24
- Jenny Abramson: Visual Smorgasbord: Unique Visual to expand lang ASD
- Costello and Santiago AAC in the Intensive Care
- Costello and Dimery: Message Banking and Operational Considerations
- Russell, S. and Buxton, J. Access is the Key
- Rebecca (Therriault) McCarthy and Vicki Haddix
Milano, Italy Costello, J.M. May 2013
Martha's Vineyard Workshops by Rebecca Therriault May 2013
NORWAY ISAAC Costello, J.M. April 2013
- AAC in the ICU: http://www.childrenshospital.org/clinicalservices/Site2016/Documents/NorwayicuHANDOUT2013.pdf
- Message Banking: http://www.childrenshospital.org/clinicalservices/Site2016/Documents/messagebankpreservelegacyNorway.pdf
- Errorless Co-construction of Language: http://www.childrenshospital.org/clinicalservices/Site2016/Documents/AACerrorlesscoconstructionnorwayhandout.pdf
- AAC and CVI: http://www.childrenshospital.org/clinicalservices/Site2016/Documents/cviNorwayhandout.pdf
ATIA January 2013 Caron, Buxton and Rice
- Caron, Buxton and Rice: SUCCESS WITH SWITCHES: BALANCING THE TASK AND TECHNOLOGY: http://www.childrenshospital.org/clinicalservices/Site2016/Documents/ATIA2013CaronBuxtonRiceHandout.pdf
- Costello and Santiago: AAC In ICU and Acute Care: http://www.childrenshospital.org/clinicalservices/Site2016/Documents/ATIAICU2013finalhandout.pdf
- Costello: Message Banking: http://www.childrenshospital.org/clinicalservices/Site2016/Documents/atiamessagebankhandout.pdf
HONG KONG LECTURE TOUR NOVEMBER 2012: Costello
- Lecture 1: Opening Lecture: http://www.childrenshospital.org/clinicalservices/Site2016/Documents/1openingHongKonglecture1nov2012.pdf
- Lecture 2: Changing Role of the SLP in Hospital: http://www.childrenshospital.org/clinicalservices/Site2016/Documents/2changingroleofslphongkongseminar2.pdf
- Lecture 4: Message Banking and Creating Legacy: http://www.childrenshospital.org/clinicalservices/Site2016/Documents/4messagebankpreservelegacyhongkonglect4.pdf
- Lecture 7: AAC and CVI: http://www.childrenshospital.org/clinicalservices/Site2016/Documents/7cvihongkonghandoutlecture7.pdf
- Lecture 8: AAC an Erroless Co-Construction of Meaning for Language Learning: http://www.childrenshospital.org/clinicalservices/Site2016/Documents/8AACerrorlesscoconstructionhongkonglect8.pdf
- Lecture 10: Banquet Keynote: AAC and Finding a Voice; Reflection on the Hong Kong State of Practice: http://www.childrenshospital.org/clinicalservices/Site2016/Documents/10Banquetlecturefindingvoicehongkonglecture10nov2012.pdf
HANDOUT: ISAAC July 2012 Preserving Legacy: Message Banking
DRAFT GUIDE FOR MESSAGE BANK: This guide features the working definitions and terminology being used when introducing the concept of 'Message Banking"
http://www.childrenshospital.org/clinicalservices/Site2016/Documents/messagebankguidedraft.pdf
MESSAGE BANKING: Messages banked by many people with ALS in the event they need to use a speech generating device July 2012. (part of the evolving BCH Augmentative Communication Protocol for Message Banking)
http://www.childrenshospital.org/clinicalservices/Site2016/Documents/PALSexpressions.pdf
Allen Crocker Speaker Series. Rebecca Therriault, AAC and Down Syndrome
MDSC 2012
AAC Division Conference - January 2011
AAC Highlights from ACP - January 8, 2011
- AAC and EI Building a Foundation (Berg EI.pdf)
- AAC ICU/Acute Care (Pritchard.pdf)
- CVI Complex Needs (Costello.pdf)
- Think outside the box with apps (Gosnell.pdf
- Visual and Tech to Support Language ASD Abramson&Laubscher.pdf
- Role of OT in AAC, (Russell.pdf)
ASHA 2010
- Costello and Pritchard ASHA 2010
- Preoperative Voice / Message Banking
- Costello, Voice Banking in Pediatric ICU
AAC in the ICU
- AAC Intervention in the ICU: The Boston Children's Hospital Model
- Communication vulnerable patients in the pediatric ICU: Enhancing care through AAC
AAC and the End of Life
- Last words, Last connections: How Augmentative Communication Can Support Children Facing End of Life
Dynamic Display Examples
These PowerPoint "dynamic displays" were created to support our patients and families to have experience and practice with navigating dynamic pages while waiting to purchase a commercial software program or arrange a trial with a dynamic display speech generating device.
To access the slides missing from the 4/24 Needleman Conference "Evidence-Based Communication Treatment for Children with ASD," please click on the link below.