PandaPal (AAC) vs simPODD

PandaPal - Autism Communication System is a user-friendly communication tool that has been proven over the past 7 years to help facilitate communication and improve language skills, designed by Kim Scott-DeLand, M.S., CCC-SLP, Speech-Language Pathologist. This communication system allows non-verbal children and adults to exchange information by activating icons and creating sentence strips to exchange information. PandaPal has proven to improve the speech and language skills of thousands of children with autism in over 200 countries and growing! PandaPal was the first original application to use real photos and has its unique “touch and hold” button to avoid mistakes and over-activation of icons. PandaPal uses an adorable gender-neutral panda bear, your child’s pal, to help him/her communicate throughout the day! 3 APPS IN ONE! • “First & Then,” “Schedule Board” and an “AAC device” are all included in Panda Pal. PANDA PAL PRO • Panda Pal comes with 12 common categories, however the Pro Version allows the user to add as many photos/categories as needed. • Categories can be deleted, added or replaced and customized to meet the needs of the user. • Once a category is selected the user is taken to a new screen of that chosen page. • Each page comes with a sample of approximately 20+ icons, all of which can also be modified to meet the specific needs of the user. • PandaPal is as customizable as you would like to make it (photo, audio, word) and accessible in ALL languages! REAL HD PHOTOS • App uses real photos, so you won't see any confusing abstract drawings. • Kim has found that by using real photos her clients are more successful with communication and demonstrated 70% less frustration and confusion. SIGN LANGUAGE PHOTOS • Used for certain high frequency words such as; “want,” “please,” “yes/no” and "more." CUSTOMIZE AUDIO • This entire app was designed to be modified to meet the individual needs of the user and to allow for language growth. • Words, phrases and entire messages are recorded in digitized speech, however users can choose to re-record in their own voice or a familiar voice of mom/dad or a sibling, which has been proven to help children with autism feel more comfortable and help develop verbal speech. • Real speech provides natural prosody and allows the user to hear and model accurate speech as opposed to unnatural ‘robotic speech.’ INCIDENTAL LEARNING • Achieved by teaching your child to read by placing words directly on top or below each photo, you can modify this in settings. • Font size and color can be modified to meet your needs. TOUCH-AND-HOLD • A unique, one-of-a-kind feature, designed by Kim Scott-DeLand, M.S., CCC-SLP, to help prevent small hands from unintentionally tapping the wrong icons. • When this feature is turned on, it requires that you touch and hold the intended icon for one second, as displayed by a progress meter before activation occurs. • Now for the first time, users can touch icons without accidentally selecting them. • Kim designed this feature after hours of research with her clients and it has been proven to help clients make accurate choices. • Touch-And-Hold is optional and can be turned on or off in settings. CUSTOMIZE ICON SIZE • Only app that allows for the icon to be easily modified to fit your child’s needs. • Extra large icons (2 icons) or as small as 24 icons per page for higher-level language learners. DATA COLLECTION • Just with one tap of the star button saves a sentence that your child created. • Watch your child’s language develop and keep a record of your child’s success! • Great tool for SLP’s and educators. FIRST & THEN • Designed to teach children that one event must come before another. • For example, First "homework” and Then "snack.” • Select the events from the built-in library or take a photo and add them into a place of either ‘First’ or ‘Then.’ Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

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