5-year-old Theo is using Avaz to say something that we want to say, too: “Daddy, I love you, love you.”
While interacting in conferences, support groups and online forums, we’re more likely to run into moms rather than dads (Autism Daddy is a notable exception) – but this Father’s Day is a good time to thank all those awesome, amazing dads out there – for the incredible things they do for their kids, and for the amazing support …
We have just launched the new version of Avaz 2.0 on World Autism Awareness day! We are also running a discount of 20% for the entire month of April for World Autism Awareness month.
We are excited to share with you the highlights of Avaz 2.0. Read ahead for what’s new in Avaz and watch short demo videos.
We just released a minor update of Avaz into the App store.
Here are the major features
* Backup functionality has been added through iTunes. You can now back up your vocabulary and transfer it between iPads if you want to.
* Restoring the default vocabulary is faster
* A few minor bug-fixes
The backup functionality was something that many people asked for. While we’re working on a new backup mechanism for v1.2, this one has the basics covered.
To …
It is certainly a pleasure to know what our customers feel about us! I was completely overwhelmed when I went through the articles written by Mukund, a student of SPASTN. Read on to know more about Mukund and how Avaz has transformed his life. Thanks to Ms. Jyothi, speech therapist of Mukund and Mrs. Jayashree, the Director of SPASTN. The article below was typed out on Avaz by Mukund and his teacher has written it down.
Mukund – The Born …
We love to hear stories of Avaz users generalizing AAC beyond the classroom, and that’s why we found the story of Gopinath in the library so much fun.
Gopinath is 11 years old, with CP, and he’d been using Avaz for a few months when his therapist decided to take him (and Avaz) out of the classroom and into the big world outside. There’s a large public library only a few blocks from his school, and Gopinath was only too …
The #1 comment we hear from reviewers of Avaz is how easy it is to use! Some people think that products that are easy to use are also easy to build. If only this were true. It’s easy to build complicated AAC systems – just put in everything including the kitchen sink, build the code, and release into the app store. To make something simple is rather more work.
With Avaz, we went through many iterations before we could get …
Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) is the name given to devices and apps that can help non-verbal children with cerebral, autism, mental retardation, Downs syndrome and other disabilities to communicate. While developing and demonstrating Avaz, I’ve heard parents express numerous misconceptions about AAC. A child with special needs isn’t empowered to make his or her own choices about AAC, which is why a parent’s misconceptions are doubly dangerous.
Here are some of the most popular ‘myths’ I’ve …
In the dimly lit Audiology room, 10 year old Babu emanates energy and good cheer. Accompanied by his mother, he seems excited about his Avaz communication therapy session with his teacher Ms. Radhamani. Babu has cerebral palsy and is quadriplegic, yet this doesn’t stop him from having fun with the people around him. Before sitting in on his session, I envisioned somewhat of a struggle between him, the teacher and Avaz, but in retrospect I realize that I was far …
Inspired by a recent post by Speech-Language and AAC specialist, Dr. Carole Zangari, we’re bringing to you the basics of contingency mapping and its merits in decreasing behavioral problems in autistic children. We think this strategy shows immense potential in creating and sustaining an environment where lesser time is spent on tending to behavioral issues, allowing for more time and energy to be devoted to learning AAC use.
What is Contingency Mapping:
Contingency mapping, developed by Dr. Brown and Dr. …
In using AAC devices, I’ve noticed that parents tend to envision the device as an automatic solution to their child’s communication needs. Parents anticipate that the child will take to the device right away with somewhat of a sustained interest, and express disillusion with it when he/she doesn’t use it the way they expected. Some parents report their children touching the wrong keys, responding incorrectly and getting distracted. Disheartened by the lack of immediate results, parents spend decreasing amounts of …
I like the on screen directions that show up initially indicating the tools options. The settings are so easy to access and alter. I think the layout looks better/more intuitive as well. I like that you can easily assign a home page from the settings menu. Thanks!
