PandaPal (AAC) vs Communications

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/

“Communications” is an augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) application that designed specifically for Autistic people. The goal of this application is to assist Autistic people with speaking difficulty as well as improving their vocabulary skill. Remodeling our application after Picture Exchange Communication System (PECs), a universal methodology of teaching speech and communication to Autistic people, we carefully designed an application to build up child’s communication from foundation. First part of our application will focus on communication by using a single word or picture. The second part will teach children to construct as well as communicate with full sentences. This application is not only limit to people with Autism. People with down syndrome and language disability can also benefit from this application as well. This project is a joint collaboration between True Corporation and Autistic Foundation Thailand. We work closely with autistic teachers, specialists as well as parents and children to craft out a customized learning solution for Autistic Children. By using our applications closely with parents and teachers, it is expected that autistic children will develop essential skills that are important to live a normal life. “Communications” is part of True Autistic application series which also include “Daily Tasks” and “Trace & Share”. Each application focuses on improving different aspect of autistic children skill.