Grace - Picture Exchange for Non-Verbal People

Education

iOS

Grace App - winner of the 2010 Irish Web Awards and United Nations World Summit Award Mobile.

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Grace App is an evidence-based picture exchange app designed to encourage and reward independent communication through the use of images. While created with and for people with autism, it can be used by anyone with a speech disability or delay. Grace App is designed to be owned and updated by the user, with minimum support from care-givers.

Grace App works by offering a selection of images in categorized folders where users can select a picture to add to the “sentence strip”. The user then shares the sentence with their communication partner who helps them to point to each card, reading the words aloud.

The default setting is for no sound; however, there is an option in the settings to select “Tap Card to Speak” for users who prefer a vocal output.

On handhelds such as iPod touch or iPhone, the device can be rotated to landscape to show a fullscreen sentence view for sharing and pointing. On iPad, simply tap the arrow to enlarge the sentence to fullscreen. There's also a choice of 3 card sizes for user preference and those with visual/mobility impairment.

Category folders contain a selection of pre-loaded images. Users can add their own images using the camera or access any saved and stored images in their photo library, including images saved from the web.

All images can be labeled with text, deleted, or rearranged to suit the individual user. The latest update includes the ability to add new Category folders, with a selection of your own photos. All Categories can be rearranged and renamed as required. Detailed instructions are available in the Guide to Grace App at http://www.graceapp.com.

Users can also learn about therapeutic strategies for developing other communication goals in the Guide. These include accepting and expressing “No, Wait” and “Asking for Help” There is also a section on communicating pain.

Grace App has been reviewed by senior speech and language therapists who say:

“Grace App is easy and quick to use and set up, it's easy to rename photo labels. Grace App is my favourite AAC app". KM - Speech and Language Therapist.

"I use Grace App with some of my clients who have difficulty communicating and need a system to augment their speech. One client, a school-aged child with Down Syndrome who has difficulty expressing himself using speech loves Grace App. Within a matter of minutes he was independently requesting his snack AND saying the word. In his case, the voice output was not activated, as he was more motivated to say the words and my goal is ultimately speech production. However, for some of my clients Vocal Output would be very beneficial. I also love the support you get from the developer – you don’t always get this with communication apps. Grace App is simple to use, easy to edit, and very effective as a communication device. The pictures are very easy to take on the spot, and now also very easy to label (every speech therapist’s dream). I also use it along with sign language – a true total communication approach! Grace App is a simple and genius app.” MM - Speech and Language Pathologist.

Grace App is continually improved with the feedback and help of users world-wide. If you have any suggestions or need support, please contact us at http://www.graceapp.com.

Please leave a review if you think Grace has been helpful to you or your family!

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Grace App Communication is a member of Moms with Apps, a collaborative group of family-friendly developers seeking to promote quality apps for kids and families.

Recommended Ages: Suitable for all ages, parents and caregivers. Currently available in English, French, German, Spanish, Danish, Portuguese and Arabic.

Discounts are available through Apple’s educational Volume Purchase Program.

"Easy Lemon (60 second)" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com).
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/