Options for Writing with Word Prediction, Symbol Support and Writing Grids

Recently I needed to create a list of software program that had word prediction, symbol support and writing grids. I thought others might be interested, so here it is:

Software:
Clicker5 by Crick
-symbol supported writing/literacy
-grid based writing
-no word prediction unless you also purchase PenFriend
-free 30 day trial
-free sharing community with many pre-made grids

Classroom Suite by Intellitools
-grid based writing
-integrated word prediction
-picture symbols supports (but not as many as other programs without additional purchase)
-includes a virtual manipulative program for math that is great for those with fine motor issues
-work beautifully with the Intellitools keyboard which can be a standard keyboard with enlarges keys or can use overlays to match whatever software you are using
-free 30 day trial
-free sharing community with many pre-made grids and activities

Boardmaker with Speaking Dynamically Pro
-the ultimate in symbol resources
-word prediction (only in Boardmaker with Speaking Dynamicall Pro, not Boardmaker or Boardmaker Plus)
-grid based writing
-free, active sharing community
-extensive add-on software avaliable for every area of the curriculm and things that are just fun like coloring books and games (some very cool programs can be added on)
-free 30 day trial

Communicate: Symbols by Widget (Distributed in US by Mayer-Johnson)
-symbol supported writing
-writing grids
-as far as I know, and I could be wrong, no word prediction
-free trial

Today Only - Free Word Prediction Software

Giveaway of the Day is offering Typing Assistant, an Windows OS Compatible word prediction program, today only as the giveaway of the day. You most download and INSTALL it today. Typing Assistant normally costs $35.00 USD. I recommend you download and install onto a flash drive, so it is portable. Download it now!

Here is a description of Typing Assistant from Sumit Software:

Typing Assistant


Features

Universal Compatibility: Works with virtually all programs.
Typing Assistant seamlessly integrates with all popular programs, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Outlook, Outlook Express, Notepad, UltraEdit, WordPad, ICQ Messenger, MSN Messenger, Yahoo Messenger, etc.

Freely Dictionary Selecting: General or professional dictionary is available.
You can select a general dictionary or professional dictionary(only Medical dictionary is included in this version) as the basic dictionary, this selection will change the content in Typing Assistant suggestion window.

Auto-Learn: Learns unknown and recently typed words.
If you type a word that not in the dictionary (e.g. your name, or a long string such as "m_strUserName"), Typing Assistant will learn the word. The next time you begin to type it the word will be suggested. This saves you thousands of keystrokes.

Typing Assistant learns all the words you type and is invaluable in any repetitive typing task. Its Auto-Learn vocabulary list will be bigger and bigger and so its functionality and accuracy.

Auto-Expand: Expand shorthand to full text.
You can define shorthand shortcuts and abbreviations, for example, when you type "usa", Typing Assistant can autoexpand it to the full text: United States of America. Thus with one key stroke (ENTER – the default hotkey), a full text replaces your shorthand. You can quickly define multiple shorthand entries yourself and have them automatically replace anything, phrases, tradenames, people’s names, anything you wish.

Typing Assistant can expand your shorthand to whole paragraphs, and unicode characters are fully supported in the Full Text.

Spell Checking: Beep on misspelled words.
When you type a word that not in the dictionaries, Typing Assistant can warn you with a beep.

Easy to use.
There is no training or learning curve with this software. You simply use your computer as normal and Typing Assistant helps with your typing automatically. The whole process is mastered in 5 minutes and it will save you hours of work and needless effort.


Tips

• If you need real-time suggestion window when typing, you can set "Delay Suggestion Window for" to 0 ms.



• If you are fast typer, perhaps the frequent suggestion window is annoying, you can set "Delay Suggestion Window for" to a value more then 0 ms, then the suggestion window only appears when you are hesitating during typing.