PandaPal (AAC)

This app is actually 3 apps for the price of one. It's a visual schedule builder, first then board, and an AAC app all in one. If your student/child is very visual and can make multiple level choices in a communication app, this might be the app of choice for you! If you had this app on an iPad that will go between home and school, it could potentially used as a stand alone communication device. One can create clear visual schedules that can be saved. When the schedule changes, it's easy to modify the schedule by moving the activities into a different order, adding a new activity or deleting an activity. The first then board will be a helpful when positive behavior support is needed. One can save the boards and return to them later. They are easily edited as well. Last, but not least, this app can be used as an alternative augmentative communication device on your iPad. It's easy to customize with your own pictures and voice. Frequently used requests/statements can be saved for repeated use. You can have 2 to 24 icons with custom font size and color on each page. I like the ability to set the "touch and hold" feature to prevent accidental activation of unwanted icons. This is a very affordable option for AAC! One of a handful of app options I will use when trialing different AAC apps/devices during AT and AAC evaluations.

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I picked this up for FREE and was surprised at all the great features, options (a first-then and schedule option!!) and customization of icon sizes, color etc. I also like the history feature where a user's utterances, or even past first-then boards, or schedules, can be pulled up for use again, along with info a helper can edit to include whether the utterance was independent, or prompted-that is a unique feature. One MAJOR glaring error though-which means I sadly won't be using it because it is not convenient the way it is currently set up- there is no SEARCH function to make it easy to quickly add photos on the fly with the schedule and first-then options-two features which really make this app awesome, as everything is all in one place. Right now you have to scroll through all the existing icons to the bottom, where the icons you save go... If you add a search feature I would definitely recommend this to those who want an all-in-one communication set up, and are willing to put in the time to customize it with their own vocabulary.

A friend recommended this app for my son and I am so glad they did. It is so much more than an AAC app. It is a scheduler and a first then app as well. Because it is all in one app, you use the same pictures for all three, which is wonderful for a child. I should first mention that this app is SO easy to set up and use! You have the ability to add your own pics and voice. It also has some sign pics which are the ones a nonverbal child usually already knows, like want. You can create schedule and save if it is one you use a lot, then you can take away the picture of what was completed without changing the saves schedule. Love that! The only thing that I would want to change is the ability to have more firsts than just one before the then. Fantastic app!

This app is just the best! It allows you to help your child use their voice if they have verbal difficulties/limitations and it can be modified anyway you want it to. You can add your own things or voice! You can create a schedule to help your child see what is coming up in the short term and for the day ahead - or for however long a period of time you wish to make it. You can add more categories if you would like. It allows you to add personalized photos. The favorites allows you to store the most used phrases to make it easier for the child/person. This is a app that covers a lot of ground and has been very well thought out - even the way they picked the pictures and the numer of pictures to choose from is amazing!

What a great all in one app! This app is fully customizable with capabilities to add your own pictures and voice recordings. I especially like how settings can be password protected to keep them from being accidentally changed. Also in the settings is the ability to change size of icons, font formats (color, size, type,etc) which allow the parent/teacher to customize it based on the needs and ability levels of their children. The voice included is pleasing and not robotic, which is nice. The pictures are of real world objects, not drawings of objects which makes it more meaningful for the child to use. I can't wait to try this out with some students tomorrow!