by Margaret Edwards, MA, MEd, CCC-SLP (Speech-Language Pathologist); NWACS Contributor

I once read that there are over 300 AAC apps for iPads. THREE HUNDRED! I hope you agree with me that this number is very high! Especially when we as AAC evaluators have the responsibility of using feature matching to determine which AAC application is best for a student. I’m sure that most of us do not have the time to vet 300 applications, so where do you start?  

We know that teaching students to use core words is best practice. Project Core has provided many sources that explain the evidence behind the teaching and use of core words. Therefore, we should be choosing apps that lend themselves to easy access of these types of words. However, this requirement alone will not rule out enough AAC apps to help you make a sound choice of which AAC application to choose for a student. Thus, you may find yourself spending at least some time looking at comprehensive AAC applications. For each, you may want to consider the look and function of the pre-made grids, the symbol set(s), ease of editing, company support, available languages, and access methods. I’ll look at each of these for Grid for iPad.

Grid for iPad by Smartbox is an app that can be purchased through the (Apple) App store. The cost (in-app purchase) is $349.00 for full purchase or you can choose the monthly subscription option of $10.99 per month. It can be used on any iPad that is running iOS 11 and above. The app is very, very comprehensive including both symbol based and text based AAC options. For the purposes of this review, I will focus on only 3 grid sets. 

PRE-MADE GRID SETS:

What I like: I like the progression provided with the grids, especially the Super Core Learning that is designed for new users to explore dynamic AAC. The focus on core words on the home page, topic folders on the right side, and predictable navigation (for example when ‘want’ is selected the lavender buttons change to: all, what, one, some, your) supports sentence generation. When navigating away from the home page, the ‘magic wand’ turns into a ‘jump to home’ button. 

What I wish: There are three Super Core Grid Sets (listed above) along with low tech options of Super Core 50 and Super Core 30 that can be printed. These low tech 2-page manual boards look very similar to the electronic boards plus additional core words. The second page of the manual board has letters, numbers, and common phrases. I wish there was one more Super Core option, perhaps a Super Core 80, that would have more buttons on the home page.    

PICTURE SYMBOL SETS:

The picture symbol set of a system might become important for a student that responds better to one set of symbols than another. For example, if a student has used PCS symbols for many years as part of their classroom visual supports, then the student may prefer to use this same set for their AAC device. Other students might need high contrast symbols. Either way, it’s important to know what symbol sets are available for an AAC application and if there is the ability to add in pictures from the iPad library. Grid for iPad allows for Widgit symbols, SymbolStix, PCS symbols, use of photo library, camera, and web search. 

What I like: I like that there are a variety of symbol sets and no additional charge is needed for them. Also, there are PCS high contrast symbols available. With the Grid manual boards, you can print one using the symbol set of your choice.

What I wish: I had to contact support to figure out how to switch from the Widgit Symbols to SymbolStix in Grid 50. It’s based on the language that you choose and that is not an intuitive way to choose a symbol set. I wish it were easier to move between symbol sets or that there was a better explanation in their on-line help center.   

EDITING:

This application allows for modification of boards by using the edit button that is accessible from within the grid. There are options to edit a cell or an entire grid page with inserting or deleting a row or column. You can also change the entire background of a grid and add in commands. For an entire grid set (all the pages) the programmer can change the cell layout, theme, or spacing between cells.

What I like: I like that editing can be done remotely, online by logging into the Grid account on a Windows-based system. Other people can be invited to edit the Grid.

What I wish: I wish the ‘find a word’ option could be left on while turning off access to the editing button. When ‘display options in menu bar’ is turned off in settings, the ‘find a word option’ disappears along with the editing button. This makes it difficult to search for words quickly. Also, I wish there were more editing choices to customize a grid such as being able to quickly hide a group of buttons and the ability to add voice recording.

APP SUPORT (Help features):

While this is not a feature that you may consider for a student, this is something that I always consider when researching an app. Like most apps, there is built-in app support with a manual and a link to the company’s online support. A user is also able to submit a ticket for more specific support. I did email the company to find out more about switching the picture set from Widgit to SymbolStix. It took less than 24 hours for them to respond, which is pretty good. There is a US phone number to call the company, which is based in the UK.

What I like: I like the FAQ feature, available support videos, and quick response time with email questions.

What I wish: The online support documents could be a bit more comprehensive.   

LANGUAGES:

The settings within the app allow for several languages including Arabic, Afrikaans, French, and Spanish. I selected Spanish (United States) and noticed that only a few words changed from English to Spanish on the buttons, however the voice used to speak the English changed to what sounded like a native Spanish accent. This was true for a couple of other languages I selected. The company did inform me that they have some apps that translate to the Spanish language (speak in Spanish), just not for Super Core 50. You would have to use one of their Symbol Talker grid apps. 

What I like: The variety of languages provided is outstanding. It is rather easy to switch from one language to another. 

What I Wish: I wish the app could speak in the chosen language, not just a change in the accent. I was confused when one or two buttons switched to the selected language, but not all.   

ACCESS METHODS:

The website indicates their app can be used with direct selection and switches (scanning). When I tried to edit a Grid, I selected access and saw highlighting features, but not scanning choices (i.e. auto scan vs. step scan). There was a link that took me to the iOS settings. This leads me to believe that scanning with this app is done using the iOS features and there are no in-app scanning features. 

What I like: I like that scanning is an option mentioned on their website.

What I wish: I wish that there was more information related to scanning and how it works with this application. I read the manual and did not discover a scanning section. 

Finally, one more piece of information you might find helpful. This company has two products with similar names. SmartBox offers Grid for iPad (described above) and Grid 3. Grid 3 is an AAC program used on a Windows platform. It offers eye gaze access to the software, as does their dedicated device called Grid Pad 12. If you search for this app in the App store, make sure you use Grid for iPad. Once downloaded, you can request a free 30-day trial. 

Overall, I really like Grid for iPad. I think it is a perfect fit for certain students. It tries to reduce the working memory demands for a user. Many times, a folder will navigate but the core words on the left side of the home page remain static. It supports both emergent and independent AAC users. The buttons use a modified Fitzgerald color coding system, which can help with navigating the pages. The symbol sets are familiar to most of our students that use AAC. There is a folder that makes sound effects that might increase motivation for certain users. As you evaluate and make recommendations for your AAC users, I think you’ll find that it has many desirable features. 

Have you used Grid for iPad? What are your thoughts?