Proloquo2Go - AAC for $190 for iPhone or iPod

Proloquo2Go is an augmentative communication (AAC) app from AssistiveWare for the iPhone or iPod touch. At $190, it's competitively priced and seems like a serious player in the AAC space.

Don't want to lug around that brick of an AAC device? How about an iPod touch or iPhone instead. The app and the iPod for under $400!

Dragon for no cost?

Dragon Dictation is a new app for the iPod touch and iPhone. It does voice dictation, allowing you to correct the text, then send it on by email or text message.

The cost, you ask? (Wait for it) It's a freebie folks!

I've used it on my iPhone and it works remarkably well, even with zero training. Well worth the try if you have an iPod touch or iPhone.

New UDL materials

I just got some new Universal Design for Learning (UDL) materials that may interest you.

The first is this UDL brochure from the Region 5/7 AT committee. It's a good overview of UDL with information coming from CAST.

The second is a document that covers UDL and Direct Instruction from NCAC.

The third is a Powerpoint presentation (in PDF format) on UDL provided by the Region 5/6 AT committee.

Is Pogo Boards a Boardmaker Killer?

Pogo Boards is a new product available to do communication and symbol boards. It's totally internet based so it runs most anywhere without an install program.
It has over 20,000 unique picture symbols (Symbol Stix, AbleNet Symbols, PiCS) along with access to Google images.
It is far less expensive than Boardmaker, doesn't require a CD to run, and you don't need admin rights to your computer because there is no installer.
Could this replace Boardmaker? Let me know what you think!
It has a seven day free trial.

Window 7 Accessiblity Hightlights

I had a good session at the ATIA conference this morning on Window 7 accessibility. While far from perfect, here's some highlights:

1. W7 has 'high DPI' settings that allow you to make icons and controls larger without losing screen resolution.

2. The on-screen keyboard is re-sizable and movable (finally), has a numeric keypad, had word prediction (!) and a scanning mode.

3. Magnifier now has keyboard hot keys, full screen magnification, a 'lens mode' and color inversion.

4. The built in speech recognition has an improved recognition engine and a 45 second buffer that it uses to determine which word it picks based on context. Unlike Dragon, it has no scripting or dedicated libraries.

Autism on NOVA ScienceNOW

NOVA ScienceNow did a nice 12 minute piece on Autism last week. To see the webpage and view the segment from the show, click here.

Thomas the Tank Engine & Autism

I admit it. I like Thomas the Tank Engine. I watch it (from time to time) and I like it. Now, Thomas is helping out with Autism. Check out CNN's report by clicking here.

May 2009 AT-FYI available

The May 2009 AT FYI newsletter is available for download. Click here.

Autism and Adulthood on NPR

Cathy Pratt, Director of the Institute’s Indiana Resource Center for Autism and Chair of the Autism Society of America (ASA) Board of Directors, was featured on WMAU 88.5 public radio for NPR in the greater Washington D.C. area. Pratt, Sondra Cunningham, President, Autism Society of America, District of Columbia Chapter, and Linda H. Davis, President, SAGE Crossing Foundation, were guests on the Kojo Nnamdi Show, which offers coverage of local, national, and international events. Discussion topics addressed the status of current services and supports for persons on the autism spectrum and what those services and supports should look like in the future.

To listen to the interview, click here.

April is Autism Awareness Month

April is Autism Awareness Month. It is known as the puzzling disability and interferes with social interactions, sensory processing, and ways of communicating.

Autism Society of America statistics:
- 1 in 150-166 births
- 1 to 1.5 million Americans
- Fastest-growing developmental disability
- 10 - 17 % annual growth

Growth comparison during the 1990s:
- U.S. population increase: 13%
- Disabilities increase: 16%
- Autism increase: 172%

For more information, check out the Autism Speaks ASD Video Glossary at: Autism Speaks

New Speech Language Blog

Here's a new Speech Language Pathology blog that looks pretty nice! Check it out!