About Us
We see students every day with so much to say, but no easy way to say it. We are committed to finding a way for them to easily and quickly say what's on their mind. In January 2019, I heard about an exciting new android communication app called Livox AAC. Livox has powerful new features using artificial intelligence and machine learning to make communication easier, faster and more natural. At that time Livox was widely used in many parts of the world, but not in any schools in the USA. Thanks to a very generous funding gift from a Boston, MA non-profit called Someone Else’s Child , we have been piloting Livox with 15 of our students who are in greatest need. Thank you Someone Else's Child for this wonderful opportunity!
For more information, you can contact our pilot co-leaders: speech therapist Brooke Livers, and Assistive Technology Consultant Mary Faulhaber.
For resources about implementing AAC, start here:
3D printed Grids for AAC screens - Free customizable software to create what you need and send to a 3D printer
Keyguards for tablets - they have attachment options too!
Communication Board - This wonderful FREE online eye-gaze communication board was created for patients in ICU who have temporarily or permanently lost the ability to communicate. Works on any device in any web browser and is so easy to use!
AAC Evaluation Genie - AAC Evaluation Genie is an informal diagnostic tool that is intended to assist speech-language pathologists and others with identifying skill areas that relate specifically to the language representation methods commonly found on augmentative communication systems. The purpose of AAC Evaluation Genie is not to identify a particular speech generating device, but rather build a framework for selecting an appropriate augmentative communication device for ongoing evaluation and / or device trial.
PrAACtical AAC
Project Core
Teaching Age-Appropriate Academic Learning via Communication (TAALC)
Rachel Madel parent/teacher training videos
Amy Campbell - teacher modeling core words ( BIGCore ) in a variety of lessons
For a helpful podcast about implementing AAC, check out Talking With Tech AAC podcast with Rachel Madel and Chris Bugaj!
About Livox |
This device first caught my interest because it has built-in parameters making it much more user-friendly and powerful in speeding up communication opportunities than other communication apps we have tried. More than 2 million yes/no questions are built-in. It also has different interfaces that work best with each of a variety of disabilities. The app “wakes up” and begins listening when the person’s name or nicknames are spoken. This teaches others to communicate directly to the user instead of talking about them with others. Communication partners can open a specific board of choices simply by speaking to the app using programmed shortcuts. In time, as the device is used and builds a personal use database, it will use machine learning and GPS to bring item choices to the main page at the time they are likely to be needed. This will make communicating much faster and more enjoyable. This app also has an online portal where boards can easily be created and shared to the student device, or to the Livox store where others can benefit from shared creativity! We often use zoom meetings to create together in the portal with the parent, SLP, or teacher.
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Our Pilot Goal |
Our students have been using a wide variety of communication apps and devices from low to high forms of technology. We hope pilot data collected during implementation will show a significant increase in student/teacher/ peer communication exchanges. Our hope is that the machine learning and artificial intelligence built in to this app will make communicating much faster and much more user-friendly for all. The initial pilot training was in January 2020. At the end of the pilot, we will use the data to inform ARC decisions concerning student needs for AAC.
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