u/SensationalSelkie

TW: ableism

I was doing research for the work side of my AAC use and came across this video. It was created by AAC users and calls out the much too common practice of denying people with complex communication needs access to AAC and comprehensive literacy instruction. I am lucky to not have experienced everything mentioned in this video, but I still felt seen when the creators called out the ways teachers don't always presume competence and keep disabled folks from the supports we need to succeed. I thought ya'll might feel validated by this video too, so I wanted to share.

Also, sorry for the repost. I forgot to add a flair the first time around. Epic fail.

Hello, community,

As our subreddit works on balancing the posts advertising AAC apps with our core purpose as a space centered on AAC users' voices first and foremost, I am going to try a new system. Those wishing to advertise a new app, including requests for feedback on their app, should post their advertisement in the comments below. This allows our community to remain a resource for developers and our users to have the chance to engage with new apps if desired, but simultaneously doesn't drown out our posts amongst all the ads. There are plenty of AAC centric spaces already that do not center the users themselves; it is important we have guardrails in place to prevent that from happening here.

Advertisers, please note our subreddit has protections against bots that may result in your comment being automatically unpublished until it is given moderator approval. Thank you for patience as we move through the que as quickly as we can.

Hey, everyone,

Sped teacher, AAC specialist, and part time AAC user here. I made a list of free apps for another sub and thought it could be useful here. I hope this helps make learning to use AAC and modeling with it easier! 😊

Paid Apps That Offer Free Account Teacher Accounts:

The free accounts are offered through the app's Partner Program where you can gain access after attending a free training or through a mentor/coach program where you can gain access to support a student using the system.

PRC Satillo Apps:

• LAMP
• TouchChat

Assistive Ware Apps:

• Proloquo Coach is free to download to support Proloquo users. Note, Proloquo is not the same as Proloquo2Go.

Free AAC Apps:

• WeaveChat

✅IOS
✅Android
✅Pictorial based functionality 
✅Text based functionality
✅Highly customizable 
✅Developed with input from SLPs 
✅Developed with input from AAC users 
✅Free support learning to use the app offered by the developer 
✅Multiple pre-made vocabulary options
✅Supports multiple languages
❔WeaveChat offers partnerships with schools and organizations to provide the app and staff training for free.

• ChatterBoards

✅IOS
❌Not Android
✅Pictorial based functionality 
✅Text based functionality
✅Highly customizable 
✅Developed with input from SLPs
✅Developed with input from AAC users 
✅Free support learning to use the app offered by the developer
✅Multiple pre-made vocabulary options
✅Supports multiple languages

• CBoard (free version)

✅IOS
✅Android
✅Pictorial based functionality 
✅Text based functionality
✅Highly customizable 
❌Not developed with input from SLPs
✅Developed with input from AAC users 
✅Free support learning to use the app offered by the developer 
✅Supports multiple languages
❔Cboard can be used via their website instead of solely through an app.

• LetMeTalk

✅IOS
✅Android
✅Pictorial based functionality 
❌No text based functionality
❌Not highly customizable 
✅Developed with input from SLPs
❌Not developed with input from AAC users 
❌No free support learning to use the app offered by the developer
✅Supports multiple languages

• SpeechAssistant  (free version)

❌Not IOS
✅Android
❌No pictorial based functionality 
✅Text based functionality
✅Highly customizable 
❌Not developed with input from SLPs
❌Not developed with input from AAC users 
❌No free support learning to use the app offered by the developer
✅Supports multiple languages

• VisualVoice

✅IOS
❌Not Android
✅Pictorial based functionality 
❌No text based functionality
❌Not highly customizable 
✅Developed with input from SLPs
❌Not developed with input from AAC users 
❌No free support learning to use the app offered by the developer
✅Supports multiple languages
❔Visual routines section to easily make visual schedules.

See the pinned comment for more information.

• WeaveChat

✅IOS
✅Android
✅Pictorial based functionality 
✅Text based functionality
✅Highly customizable 
✅Developed with input from SLPs 
✅Developed with input from AAC users 
✅Free support learning to use the app offered by the developer 
✅Multiple pre-made vocabulary options
✅Supports multiple languages
❔WeaveChat can be used via their website (weavechat connect) instead of soley through an app.

❔WeaveChat offers partnerships with schools and organizations to provide the app and staff training for free.

• CBoard (free version)

✅IOS
✅Android
✅Pictorial based functionality 
✅Text based functionality
✅Highly customizable 
❌Not developed with input from SLPs
✅Developed with input from AAC users 
✅Free support learning to use the app offered by the developer 
✅Supports multiple languages
❔Cboard can be used via their website instead of solely through an app.

• ChatterBoards

✅IOS
❌Not Android
✅Pictorial based functionality 
✅Text based functionality
✅Highly customizable 
✅Developed with input from SLPs
✅Developed with input from AAC users 
✅Free support learning to use the app offered by the developer
✅Multiple pre-made vocabulary options
✅Supports multiple languages

• LetMeTalk

✅IOS
✅Android
✅Pictorial based functionality 
❌No text based functionality
❌Not highly customizable 
✅Developed with input from SLPs
❌Not developed with input from AAC users 
❌No free support learning to use the app offered by the developer
✅Supports multiple languages

• SpeechAssistant  (free version)

❌Not IOS
✅Android
❌No pictorial based functionality 
✅Text based functionality
✅Highly customizable 
❌Not developed with input from SLPs
❌Not developed with input from AAC users 
❌No free support learning to use the app offered by the developer
✅Supports multiple languages

• VisualVoice

✅IOS
❌Not Android
✅Pictorial based functionality 
❌No text based functionality
❌Not highly customizable 
✅Developed with input from SLPs
❌Not developed with input from AAC users 
❌No free support learning to use the app offered by the developer
✅Supports multiple languages
❔VisualVoice has a routines feature to easily build pictorially supported schedules.

I'm a sped teacher at an autism school. I've been workplace bullied my whole career. Long story short, it became apparent today my colleagues gossiping about me in front of their students and lie about my capabilities/disabilities (I have neurological issues that sometimes require accommodation in addition to the autism). I don't even know anymore. I'm really good at my job. Like, highest test score raises and the person admin asks to train the other teachers good at my job. But everyone still loves to talk about how my disabilities make me weak. Everyone still kinda hates me even though I never do anything to them or even talk to most of them. I'm tired. This has been the story of my life. I try to mask. Try social strategies taught to me. Try to be confident or cool or whatever. Nothing works. It's a idk what the point of living is kinda night. I hate myself so much more than the bullies ever could. ​

Hi, all,

Thanks in advance for your time. I have a student with a Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP) that seems to be stalling and would love advice.

Student is a senior on a modifed curriculum. He has autism, adhd, moderate ID, and severe sensory processing issues. I suspect he may also have PDA. BIP targeted elopement and stimming that disrupted learning that looked like VERY loud humming sounds and rocking back and forth with enough force to break a chair. Functions were found to be escape for the elopement and sensory first, escape second for the stimming.

Elopement is basically gone post implementation of the BIP and stimming is way down. But, he doesn't really try on his work at all. Everything is about getting to the next break in a room where he can be alone and stim freely. He gets a 10 minute break every hour plus 3 additional 10 minute breaks he can request with a break card. He can also do some schoolwork in that space so he can stim and work.

Despite all this, he really only wants more time in that room and rushes through his work. He will go rounds with me redoing it over and over again to try to get him to try on his work. It really ends up feeling like he is at school to be babysat because while his behavior is now in a safe, classroom manageable place, he doesn't seem to get much out of school as far as academics and lifeskills go. None of these issues are new, but they weren't this severe before. The BIP came after he experienced a medical trauma a few months ago, and his behavior quickly escalated. It has been months, and he still isn't back to his baseline. He recieves speech, OT, and therapy for his anxiety. I am looking for any ideas of other things to try to help him ​since I have done everything I know at this point. Thanks again!

Edit to clarify: he is technically in 12th grade but plans to stay in school until age 22. Academically he works at a 1st-2nd grade level. ​