Voice Meter Pro vs Dysphagia Therapy

The "Voice Meter Pro" app for the iPad, iPhone and iPod touch, is a simple, but effective app that helps children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD's), voice disorders, or any other child (or adult) monitor the volume of their own voice in a Fun and Engaging way. Children with Asperger’s and other ASD’s often have difficulties producing the appropriate voice volume in different settings. Some children on the autism spectrum speak too quietly. Others speak too loudly. Still others do not compensate adequately for the social milieu or ambient noise level. Understanding abstract concepts, such as the volume of one’s voice, can be difficult for children with ASD's. It’s well understood that adding a visual component to the otherwise abstract concept can often be very helpful for individuals with ASD. OK so how does the app work? Well….if a child is talking to quietly a blue background with a cartoon character struggling to hear is displayed. If a child is talking too loudly the background changes to red and the character puts it’s fingers in its ears. If the volume level is acceptable a green background with a smiling happy character is displayed. • The on screen “volume thermometer” dynamically displays the volume level as it changes. • There’s a "Sensitivity" slider so the adult can adjust the volume sensitivity to suit both the user and the environment. • There’s also a "Dampening" slider. This helps avoid the meter bouncing around in between words by introducing a slight delay before any movement is shown on the “volume" thermometer. • To give the user total control over the app the Upper and Lower limits of the "Green" (acceptable volume area) can now be adjusted by the user. • For convenience the app works in both portrait and landscape modes on all the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad. • the iPhone version of the app has a switch to enable the iPhone to vibrate should the upper threshold level be exceeded for longer than 4 seconds. We want to make this app the very best it can be and to this end we have included a feedback form inside the app for users to submit any issues or suggestions as to how it can be improved. Why not download the app and give it a try?...... you might find it a very useful tool.

An essential tool to help clinicians and students navigate their options to manage and rehabilitate swallowing disorders. See for yourself why SLPs around the world are raving about Dysphagia Therapy! This handy pocket reference will help you select the right treatments to address the impairments you’ve diagnosed in your dysphagia patients. You’ll have easy access to information about anatomy, cranial nerves, treatment procedures, and patient handouts, making it easier to know what you’re treating and how. Novice and experienced clinicians alike will benefit from knowing they’ve thought of all the options. You’ll love having all this information at your fingertips! Key Features: ** Personalized options for therapy based on assessment results ** Customized home programs for patients ** Clinician & patient education tools built-in for quick reference Three top dysphagia clinicians have teamed up with Tactus Therapy, the leader in adult rehab apps, to bring you up-to-date information to help simplify your life and get your patients participating in an active swallowing rehab program. The app has 4 parts: ** Therapy Finder: input the impairments identified in your patients to see the therapy options that match best ** Assessment: learn about 9 components of the swallow with helpful information on anatomy, how to assess, and the clinical relevance ** Treatment: get the details on 45 different swallowing management techniques including exercises, sensory treatments, compensatory strategies, and therapy protocols ** Resources: information on cranial nerves, patient handouts, and anatomical drawings for education “This app is so useful for the SLP in any setting who works with dysphagia patients. It is well-organized and easy to find what you are after. I appreciate the cranial nerve section and have used it in acute care to confirm my assessment and make sure I was not missing something. In the "Therapy Finder" the exercises, compensatory strategies, and maneuvers are all research-based and include clear instructions for both the SLP and the patient.” - Brenda M. Arend, MA, CCC-SLP App Authors: Yvette McCoy, MS, CCC-SLP, BCS-S; Tiffani Wallace, MA, CCC-SLP, BCS-S; Rinki Varindani Desai, MS, CCC-SLP NOTE: This app is intended for use by trained dysphagia clinicians and students only. It is NOT a tool for people with swallowing disorders to self-diagnose or set their own therapy program. Please ensure you are a healthcare professional (speech-language pathologist, occupational therapist, dietician, etc.) licensed to provide dysphagia assessment and treatment before downloading or using this app.