Award Winning InnerVoice App Uses 3D Animated Avatars to Improve Communication for Children with Autism & Special Needs
San Francisco, CA (PRWEB) January 21, 2014 -- Now available - InnerVoice app is unlike any other Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) app with never-before-seen features such as 3D animated photo avatars and remote prompting. Two high quality child voices from The Acapela Group are included – Now available at the US iTunes App Store.
InnerVoice harnesses the highly effective technique of Video Self-Modeling (VSM) where individuals watch themselves successfully performing a desired behavior, such as speech, thus becoming their own self-models.
According to Tom Buggey, Ph.D., Siskin Endowed Chair of Excellence in Early Childhood Special Education at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, and author of the book Seeing is Believing, “One of the attributes of self-modeling is that positive results are seen almost immediately".
Therapists who used InnerVoice prior to its release reported that their clients were highly engaged and made significantly more attempts to communicate. The therapists attributed their clients' success to the video-modeling technology, adding that the clients were able to communicate their needs far more clearly using the app's simple user interface. InnerVoice is a communication solution for a wide range of users who have challenges using their own voice. With its simple-to-use design, InnerVoice is suitable for varying levels of literacy.
Remote Prompting
InnerVoice is also the first AAC to incorporate remote prompting (RP) as a technique to support communication and the acquisition of skills for individuals on the autism spectrum.
This technique allows learners to receive a prompt on their mobile device that guides them to the correct response. Using InnerVoice, prompts are sent via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth from the educator’s device to the user’s iPad to ensure the child will perform the correct skill and reduce the probability of errors and frustration.
“Most importantly, remote prompting reduces confusing verbal explanations that interfere with learning complex communication-related concepts,” said Matthew Guggemos, M.S. CCC-SLP, speech-language pathologist, co-developer, and winner of the 2013 Mensa Intellectual Benefits to Society Award.
Edutainment
Users can animate most images and make them speak. This entertainment factor enables users to practice new skills through play -- heightening engagement and interest in learning.
Affordably priced at $19.99 in the U.S., InnerVoice costs a fraction of other speech-generating AAC apps, which can exceed $200 per download. InnerVoice is for sale exclusively in the iTunes App Store.
Developers
The principal developers for InnerVoice are iTherapy co-owners Lois Jean Brady and Matthew Guggemos. Lois has over 25 years of experience as a practicing speech-language pathologist, is a Certified Autism Specialist (CAS), and holds a certification in Assistive Technology and in Computer-Based Intervention. Her career accomplishments include: two-time winner of the Autism Speaks/AT&T Hackathon(s), recipient of the Benjamin Franklin Award for Apps for Autism, and an Ursula Award for Autism TodayTV. Matthew Guggemos is a speech-language pathologist, winner of the 2013 Mensa Intellectual Benefits to Society Award, professional drummer, and inventor, who specializes in treating autism spectrum disorders and dyslexia.
Innervoice was co-designed by iTherapy, LLC and MotionPortrait, Inc. The companies are committed to making communication an enriching, fascinating, and entertaining experience. iTherapy, LLC is a speech pathologist-owned and -operated company, which designs multisensory learning and communication tools for special-needs populations. MotionPortrait, Inc. is an entertainment solution company that evokes surprise and impression through creative technological innovations. MotionPortrait, Inc.’s technology automatically creates a 3D face model from a single digital photograph.
For more information on InnerVoice, please visit the InnerVoice website and "like" their page on Facebook. A short video of the app's features can be found on YouTube. Digital images and bios can be found on the InnerVoice Media Page. Media inquiries may be directed to:
Co-Creators: Matthew Guggemos or Lois Jean Brady
Lois Jean Brady, iTherapy, http://www.proactivespeechtherapy.com, +1 (925) 812-0037, [email protected]
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