Thursday 17 January 2013

iAskU By n3o Digital - Review

This app is designed for both iPhone and iPad
  • $2.99
  • Category: Education
  • Updated: 29 November 2012
  • Version: 1.1
  • Size: 45.4 MB
  • Language: English
  • Developer: N3O Ltd
  • © n3o Ltd
Requirements:  Compatible with iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, iPod touch (3rd generation), iPod touch (4th generation), iPod touch (5th generation) and iPad. Requires iOS 4.2 or later. This app is optimized for iPhone 5.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO PURCHASE THIS APP NOW PLEASE DO SO VIA THIS LINK - iTunes
There is nothing more exciting than to hear someone express their wants and needs for the first time. Having a voice is one of the most basic rights a person has. iAskU is an app that provides non-verbal individuals their voice.

This is a very basic PECS app. It is set up in a categorical format and comes with a few basic ones already in place. Other categories and pictures can easily be added in the Admin mode using the devices camera.

Users choose an item and place it in the “I want” phrase at the bottom of the screen. A red hand lights up and the user is prompted with an on screen visual to bring the device to someone. Then the other person in the communication exchange is prompted to respond with either “Yes, Not Available, or Wait.” When Yes is chosen the user see a visual and they are prompted to press finish and the app returns to the opening screen. Not available follows the same format. However when Wait is chosen the second person in the communication exchange can set a timer for up to sixty minutes and then represent the request after the required amount of time.

The app was designed without audio output so the user is required to prompt the second person in the communication process with the device. This helps the user to understand the communication is a two way process.



Description
iTunes contains the following description of the iAskU app.
Helping Your Child To Communicate
The ability to communicate effectively is a fundamental difficulty for many children with an Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Communication breakdown leads to frustration for both parent and child. iasku has been designed and developed by our team of psychologists, speech and language therapists and app developers to support your child in communicating more purposefully. Unlike paper-based communication aids, iasku is easy to use in a range of settings and is also highly adaptable to new situations.

  • Comes with a range of useful symbols which make sense - communication is logical and meaningful
  • You can customize the app by hiding symbols when they are not suitable or appropriate
  • You can customize, sort and add new categories
  • New symbols are regularly published, available for you to download. Growing your symbol sets is easy
  • Allows you to create your own symbols by using the iPad or iPhone camera to create photographs of items that you need
  • Provides immediate communication at the right time
  • Supports genuine interaction – there is no synthetic voice or inappropriate use of language. All verbal prompts are eliminated

Things I Like About the App
  • Teaches communication as a two way process
  • Easily customizable
  • Low cost
Things I Would Like To See In Future Updates
  • Eliminate the in app purchases

Is This App Appropriate For Students with Special Needs?
This app is extremely appropriate for students with special needs. Its low cost makes it affordable to everyone as many AAC apps are out of people’s price range when they are first learning how to communicate. The ability to simply and quickly customize the app for individual users is also a great feature. Probably the most appropriate feature for students with special needs is how the app uses visuals to support the communication and emphasizes the importance of communication being a two way process.

You can find out more information about n3o Digital by following these links.

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