simPODD vs "Talking About" Series

simPODD is an app for the popular PODD system that makes communication more simple for those who can’t speak. Built in collaboration with Gayle Porter, it’s the only PODD app for iPad to bring digital page sets and a printing interface into one app. From the makers of Proloquo2Go, this augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) app is sure to become a favorite among PODD users, because it's the only PODD app built specifically for their needs. “simPODD’s integration of PODD communication books and electronic page sets in a single product supports people to "say what I want to say, to whoever, whenever and however I choose to say it.” - Gayle Porter, creator of the PODD system Highlights • Access to all PODD digital page sets: 15 Preschool, 15+ Preschool, 15 School, 15+ School, 60 Complex Syntax, 60 Expanded Key Word • Fully integrated printing interface in the app to print direct access individual and group PODD books (with yearly subscription) • Streamlined and simplified editing process • Uses SymbolStix • Regionally specific vocabulary and American, British and Australian voices • 38 natural-sounding text-to-speech voices including genuine children’s voices • Free 1-month trial How it works simPODD makes using PODD much simpler. First, it brings the digital page sets and printing experience into one app. No need to manage different payments and subscriptions, or learn how to use multiple programs. It’s all rolled into one. It’s easy to use, no matter who you are: parent, teacher, speech therapist or PODD user. Customizing and editing digital page sets is also very straightforward with simPODD. Quickly edit the vocabulary, create new buttons and link folders without following a lot of complicated steps. Since we worked closely with PODD users while building the app, we took all of the hassle and frustration out of these processes. The easiest PODD book printing experience The printing function for PODD books is right inside the app. Just select a book and customize. Print the book all at once, instead of page by page. It only takes a few minutes! You can create as many books as you need, and print them for all of the people in a PODD communicator’s life. What is PODD? PODD (Pragmatic Organisation Dynamic Display) is a popular AAC system created and owned by Gayle Porter. PODD organizes vocabulary around communication function and predicted likely usage to make it more efficient to get something across. PODD's range of books and page sets support language development from first words to complex syntax. The books and page sets for early communicators also include strategies like pragmatic branch starters. This supports more intelligible and varied communication. Comprehensive support We’re there for you every step of the way. Help articles on the website are there to guide you through set up. New to AAC? Our website has background resources in the Learn AAC section. You can also connect directly with our community on our Facebook groups. Questions? Our support team is available 7 days a week. Choose the subscription that’s right for you: Yearly Digital + Print or Monthly Digital. Yearly Digital + Print • Print direct access PODD books right from the app • Full access to all of the digital page sets • Regular updates • Save money - 2 months free compared to the monthly subscription Monthly Digital • Full access to all of the digital page sets • Regular updates • Cancel month to month, so you only pay for what you use • An inexpensive way to try PODD Try the app out with our 1-month free trial! How payment works • Payments will be charged to your Apple ID (after your free trial ends) • Subscriptions renew automatically. Payment is charged 24 hours before the current subscription period ends • Don’t want to renew? Cancel more than 24 hours before the end of the current subscription period • Want to cancel or change your subscription? Manage it in your account settings on the App Store

Children and young people are required to respond to a wide range of challenging social situations that occur in their daily lives. Successful management of these situations is dependent on the young person’s social skills, emotional intelligence, and interpersonal problem-solving capacity, as well as the response of others and the context of the event. Many children and young people can find management of everyday situations difficult, particularly if they are on the autistic spectrum or have a learning difficulty. Black Sheep Press 'Talking About' App gives children the opportunity to discuss with a relevant adult, common situations and difficulties they may face. Topics are suitable for a wide age range (4 -11+ years). Purchase each topic as you need it or buy multiple topics for the age group you are working with. Each topic shows different scenarios. Response pictures illustrate ways of behaving which will encourage discussion about the ‘right’ thing to do and prompt children and young people to make their own suggestions. For children or young people who have not learnt to read or who have reading difficulties, there is optional audio. The background to the text can also be changed to yellow which may help some children read the text. The app can record the child’s responses and discussions. This makes it ideal for role play and ‘rehearsal’ of social conversations. The adult using the app can make notes and email these together with the recordings. The app is perfect for one-to one or small group work. By linking the device to a whiteboard the app can be used for whole class work. The app covers a range of topics: Talking About Classroom Behaviour: depicts challenging classroom behaviour and communication breakdown and suggests alternative ways of dealing with them. Aimed at a primary school age group, it includes many real life situations encountered in classrooms  - for example taking turns, feeling anxious and playing together. Talking About Friends: concerns relationships with friends. Scenarios include feeling left out, negotiation, saying sorry, bullying (4 years. – 7 years.) Talking About School: depicts a range of challenging social and educational situations for the younger, or less mature, age group (4 years. – 7 years). Scenarios include a child who has no-one to play with; older children ask a child to do something 'naughty'. Talking About Social and Emotional Skills: challenging scenarios, leading to a variety of positive and negative emotions and/or personal qualities such as jealousy, loneliness, ambition and courage. Prompt questions to be used by teaching staff or speech and language therapists are included. Suitable for developmental age 11-13 years. Talking About Conversation: designed to develop social skills, verbal reasoning skills, situational understanding & inferencing skills in children (11 years. – 16 years). To help teach the skills required to be a good conversational partner, scenarios include identifying the appropriate moment to start a conversation, selecting appropriate topics for conversation, asking to join in. Talking About Community: to help teach young people (ages 11 years. – 16 years.) social skills, specifically aimed at supporting the transfer of these skills into everyday settings in the local community. Scenarios are almost entirely based on the experiences and difficulties of a group of Year 9 students and include waiting in a queue, travelling on a bus and what to do in an emergency. Talking About Secondary School: Designed for children who are about to move to Secondary School, or who have transferred and are struggling with the transition. Children discuss 14 large pictures which shows a situation relevant to their experiences at school. Each scenario has four associated pictures which provide appropriate – and some inappropriate -  solutions. For example, mixing with older children at the bus stop and forgetting your homework.