The Papoo Touch is a unique new communication device. It combines text and symbol based communication with multi-media capabilities. The Papoo Touch, from France, runs board sets from The Grid 2, a popular AAC program. It also provides text-to-speech through entering text. Text can be entered through typing or by writing on the screen with a finger. As for it's multi-media capabilities they include music and video players as well as video games. It is also multilingual working in English, French, Italian, Spanish and German. 
The Papoo Touch weighs just under 5 ounces. It is 6 by 3.5 inches and about 1 inch thick. It can be operated with one or two hands using the touch screen or a switch. It comes with a USB cable for syncing to a PC, Mac or Linux computer and for charging as well as a neck cord. The volume from the built in speakers can reach up to 80 feet. The batteries last for 3 hours of speech and 48 hours on standby.
Did you know that for just 99 cents you can use Flash based websites on an iOS device? That includes great games for those with significant special needs like those at Shiny Learning and Help Kidz Learn! The Puffin Browser works on all iOS devices, iPad, iPod and iPhone. I don't know how it works, but using it to visit websites allows you to see and interact with Flash items! (Admittedly with a bit of a lag.) For switch based games the entire touch screen becomes your switch and the game becomes even more fun!
Avaz is a new dynamic display communication device in India. It is a fully featured speech generating device which works both as a text and/or a symbol driven device. It uses the SymbolStix icon set and has many options for set up. It is accessible via mouse, touchscreen, switch scanning and mouse emulators. Surprisingly the device is in English only, although you can record speech in any language if need be. The website does not list a price but states the Avaz is 5% the cost of a PRC, Tobii or Dynavox. They also have a program of volunteers and sponsors who can sponsor a device for a child in need. (Wouldn't it be great of the companies in the US did that? Actively pursued sponsors for individuals who didn't have any other funding?)
If you work in this field long enough Down Syndrome Awareness month starts being about Cory, Sean, Christian, David and Ricky. Rett Syndrome Awareness Month becomes thoughts about Kelly, Jen and Becca. AAC Awareness Month is about every kid who you ever helped say yes, no, help or "I love you!" for the first time with a "talker". And that is just October.
What do you do with those left over communication symbols that seem to multiple everyday? (They are especially prolific if you use the Unique Learning Program.) Do you throw them away? Hold on to them for some other purpose?
Then do a class or group art project. Decorate a cool container that will be used to hold each part of speech you teach. You could use some of the left over symbols and magazine pictures to illustrate the type of word the container will hold. Be sure to include a picture symbol label that matches the category in the AAC books/devices.
