Visual AAC

Visual AAC helps individuals with speech impairment/delay to communicate their everyday needs and thoughts effectively. Visual AAC combines the flexibility of grid-based Augmentative & Alternative Communication (AAC) symbols board with the intuitiveness of Visual Scene Displays (VSD) to provide a versatile & easy-to-use solution that supports non-verbal/speech-impaired users in overcoming their communication challenges.

Individuals with conditions such as ALS, autism, aphasia, apraxia, cerebral palsy, complex communication needs, dementia, intellectual disability, stroke, or other speech/language impairment/delay conditions, often needs support with communication and (re)developing daily living skills.

Designed by Hearty SPIN, a tech social enterprise which launched Picture AAC app back in 2011 that have benefited thousands of speech-impaired users across 35+ countries and is recommended by several doctors, speech therapists and educators.

Visual AAC is developed in collaboration with several speech language pathologists, special needs educators, assistive technology specialists, other professionals, caregivers, users, and referencing several literature and research studies on visual support, language development, AAC and VSD.

Visual AAC consists of 2 modes of use: AAC and VSD. In AAC mode, users choose from a grid of picture cards to form sentences that express their needs, preferences, ask/answer questions, or thoughts. VSD mode presents photos depicting familiar scenes/objects/people/event and users can touch 'hot spots' on the photo to express context relevant messages. For example with a kitchen VSD photo: caregiver can point at the photo to request user to go to the kitchen; user can tap on choices of food on dinning table to indicate their preference; tap at the wash basin and shown video on hand washing etc.

A number of studies show that VSDs can be especially valuable for individuals who struggle to relate to traditional grid-based communication systems. VSD provides more context relevancy and easier for young children and elderly to relate to.

Key features of Visual AAC includes:

- Picture cards covering core vocabulary of daily conversation ( preloaded cards cover >90% of total typical words used by toddler and >70% by adults. Caregivers can easily add additional cards relevant to users). Pictures comprehensively cover core verbs, adjectives, nouns, pronouns, and prepositions.
- AAC customization options include: adding new picture cards using device camera/photo gallery; using built-in text-to-speech or recording own voice; display only relevant cards
- Easy-to-use VSD Editor that SLP/doctor/educator/caregiver can introduce picture cards in context relevant/familiar scenes and add choice board, audio expressions, step-by-step visual instructions, articulation demo
- Create Visual Scene Stories that enable, for example, users to introduce themselves; prepare for a visit to doctor; teach social skills, language concepts etc
- Backup cloud storage for user data

Optional in-app auto-renewal subscriptions:
Basic subscription: $9.99 per month
Full subscription: $14.99 per month
These prices are for United States customers. Pricing in other countries may vary. Local pricing will be shown to you. Payment will be charged to your iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase. Subscription auto-renew each month, 24 hours prior to expiry. Cancel subscription by turning off auto-renewal from user's Account Settings at least 1 day before expiry. No cancellation of current month subscription is allowed during active subscription period.

Please find our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy at: http://www.heartyspin.org/terms-of-service/
http://www.heartyspin.org/privacy-policy/

Simple, intuitive, yet highly functional and effective is the core of Visual AAC app's design. Visit www.heartyspin.org for more information.