Verbal Me

This easy-to-use AAC and choice board app was suggested and edited by special needs teachers to help nonverbal kids participate in class. Users tap a button and the iPad, iPhone or iPod touch speaks the button text aloud in either a boy's or girl's voice. Screen choices include yes/no, alphabet, numbers, interactive speaking clock, skip counting, opposites, world map, US coins, bullying, getting dressed, using the bathroom, seasons, emotions, BINGO, body parts, life cycle of a butterfly, custom screens with editable text and pictures.

Educators and parents can switch screens by sliding one finger from the upper right to the lower left of the iPad screen. Alternatively, turn on the settings and arrow buttons to let kids switch screens. Choose from over 100 prebuilt pages with colorful buttons and 25 additional pages with custom buttons you can edit. A Spanish-language version is also available.

SWITCH USERS: Students with dexterity challenges can use a 2-button Bluetooth switch with Verbal Me. First, open your iPad or iPhone Settings app. In the Bluetooth section, turn on Bluetooth and connect to the switch device. In General / Accessibility / Switch Control, turn on Switch Control, set the Scanning Style to Manual, and create a switch for “Move to Next Item” and another for “Select Item.” Finally, open Verbal Me and move between buttons and speak using your 2 switches.