Smooth Talker

The new Smooth Talker is a sequential message switch that can also be used for a single switch or random order messages.  Total message time is two minutes.  The Smooth Talker can be activated with an external switch (wireless switch capability included), be set to use as a cooperation switch and be used as an auditory scanning device (author's comment - OMG!  Finally!).  Additionally you can use it like a standard switch to activate adapted toys and devices.


Here are the specs from Inclusive TLC:

• Two minutes recording time.
• Two loud speakers.
• 1.4 watt amplifier.
• Fits standard Big Switch mounting plates.
• Built-in Simply Works wireless technology.
• 9v PP3 batteries required.
• Easy programming using LED mode indicators.
• Volume control with on/off button.
• 3.5mm switch input socket.
• 3.5mm toy control socket.
• Available in red, blue, yellow and green.
• Toy control label supplied.

The only thing I don't see is a means to hold a picture symbol in place on the Smooth Talker.

The Smooth Talker retails for $165.00.

Switches Galore Slide Show

Just updated, with new switches and labels, all of the switches available on the internet.  This are all single (and a few double) switches to use to give input to a computer (via a switch interface), an adapted toy or device or an environmental control adapter like a PowerLink.



Remember that Tash Switches are now vended by Ablenet.
Also if you cannot find a certain switch in the USA then check ATNAD or QED.

Interested in sequentail switches?  Many folks think there is only one choice, but here are a few.  Most come with levels standard or levels as an option, all have either a recording time or message number limit.  All allow a sequential message to be played by pressing the switch top or an access switch attached to the sequential switch.  Some allow the attachment of an external speaker for when you need big sound.

The Sequencer by Adaptivation

The Chickadee by Unlimiter 

Little Step-by-Step (also Big Step-by-Step, not shown) by Ablenet

Big Talk Sequencer (also Small Talk Sequencer, Adjustable Angle Sequencer  and six others not show) by Enabling Devices

101 Ways to Use a Sequential Message AAC Device to Access the Curriculum

Compiled by Toni Waylor-Bowen, Ph.D. & Jessie Moreau, M.Ed., NBCT; March 2007

ELA/Reading Comprehension
• Recite a repeated line in a story/play/poem/speech
• Read from a story, chapter book, newspaper, magazine
• Name the characters in a story
• Sequence events in a story/chapter
• Give important details in a story/chapter / recall facts
• Ask questions (who, what, where, etc) of others about a story/chapter
• Give “stage directions” to others in a play
• Follow the steps in multi-step directions/task analysis (e.g., recipe, simple machine)
• State the logical order of information in a non-fiction text
• Give timeline information about a person in a biography
• Retell familiar events/stories to include beginning, middle, and end
• Name vocabulary words and define terms

ELA/Listening/Speaking/Viewing
• Answer questions during calendar/schedule time
• Uses oral language for different purposes: to inform, to request, to entertain
• Recite the Pledge of Allegiance
• Tell others about an event that happened (at home/community/another class)
• Ask questions of others about their evening/weekend/special event
• Ask survey questions of others
• Repeat auditory sequences (letters, words, numbers, rhythmic patterns)
• Present an outline of a group report or class project to others
• Identify people to participate in a group project/play a game/determine “Who’s next?”
• Interview a guest or teacher new to the school
• Sing the chorus of a song or music/video
• Recite Nursery Rhymes
• Recite a poem
• Call items for Bingo games related to curricular themes (especially fun with a randomizer)

ELA/Writing
• Sequence items to go into a story
• List adjectives/adverbs to go into a story (especially fun with a randomizer)
• Provide vocabulary to be included in a story
• Give details about different parts of a class story

Mathematics/Numbers and Operations
• Count forward
• Count backward
• Count days of the week/month/year
• Count sets of items
• Count using 1-1 correspondence
• Recite prime numbers with visual models for identification
• Skip count
• Recite addition/subtraction/multiplication facts
• State money amounts (by dollars, quarters, dimes, etc.)
• Identify parts of a whole (fractions)
• Identify numerals in expanded notation (9 thousand, 3 hundred, fifty, five)
• Identify and order percents
• Identify and order decimals
• Identify numbers on a number line

Mathematics/Measurement
• State the order of objects based on a dimension (e.g., big/bigger/biggest, long/longer/longest)
• State time (hour/half-hour/quarter-hour)
• Count the increments while measuring (for length, capacity, time, temperature, etc)
• Counts items used in the formula to determine area, capacity
• Give steps in formula for finding volume, surface area, etc.
• Name measurement-related vocabulary words and define terms

Mathematics/Geometry
• Count the number of shapes/solid figures identified in the class, school, community
• Name the various types of geometric shapes when shown the same
• Count the number of sides, edges, vertices, in plane and solid figures
• State the properties of different shapes/solid figures (i.e., a triangle has three sides; a cube has 12
edges)
• Count points on a grid
• Name geometry-related vocabulary words and define terms
• Choose geometric figures then identify them with visual/tactual manipulatives

Mathematics/Data Analysis and Probability
• Count/name the items that are part of the survey
• Count the number of responses/tally marks for each item on a table/chart/graph
• Skip count number of responses when using different scales
• Estimate number of items in a set
• Predict the probability of a given event (i.e., numbers on dice, colors of M&M’s) for experimental
probability activities (randomizer device works best)

Mathematics/Algebra
• State items in a pattern
• Skip count
• State addition/subtraction/multiplication/division rules
• Tell other strategies for solving problems (mnemonic devices)
• Count using ratios/fractions (i.e., 1/3, 2/3, 1; ¼, ½. ¾, 1)
• State formulas for solving problems
• Announce simple equations for students to solve
• Describe simple story problems for students to solve
Science
• State science-related vocabulary words and define terms (“A mineral is made from non-living
substance found in nature.”; “A rock is made from minerals.”)
• Describe items being used in the science task (i.e., minerals, rocks, animals, habitats)
• Describe common features between items (i.e., both the tiger and polar bear use camouflage, both
the bat and possum are nocturnal)
• List reasons/outcomes (i.e., pollution is caused by littering, pouring items in streams or rivers…)
• List items (i.e., major organ systems, names of the planets, items that can be recycled…)
• Sequence items (i.e., life cycles, planets in order from the sun, steps in the water cycle)
• Explain steps in an experiment
• Describe changes in items before, during, and after an experiment
• State parts of a whole (i.e., parts of a cell)
• State parts of a group (i.e., animals that are vertebrates, types of habitats)
• Call items for Bingo games related to science standards (especially fun with a randomizer)
• Describe physical attributes of items (i.e., shape, color, size, hardness, texture)
• Describe characteristics (i.e., habitats, cloud formations, hurricanes, physical/chemical changes)
Social Studies
• List items (individual freedoms on Bill of Rights, original 13 colonies, )
• Sequence items (steps in the producer/consumer cycle)
• State items in first/then and if/then format (“First England wanted to tax, then America wanted independence”)
• Give a timeline of events (history of music, transportation, important persons, events in a decade)
• List key individuals (presidents, world leaders, Civil Rights personalities, famous Georgians)
• List reasons for an event
• Recite lines in a play/music video/skit about subject/time period
• List items/places in governmental jurisdiction (city, state, country)
• List states in regions of the United States
• List countries on different continents in the world
• List cultures (Indian tribes living in Georgia)
• State/list items related to a culture (common words in different languages)
• State social studies-related vocabulary and define terms
• List/describe geographic regions
• List major products of a state, region, country
• Call items for Bingo games related to Social Studies standards (especially fun with a randomizer)
• Sing a song or chorus from a song of a country being studied
• List cultural achievements in the fields of art, music, literature, theater, movies/TV

The following devices allow for sequential messaging:
LITTLE Step by Step Communicator (AbleNet)
BIG Step-by-Step Communicator (AbleNet)
Step-by-Step Communicator with Levels (AbleNet)
Sequencer (Adaptivation)
Partner One/Stepper (AMDi)
* Big Talk Triple Play (Enabling Devices)
Step Talking Sequencer Switch Plate (Enabling
Devices)
* Randomizer (Adaptivation)
Press Your Luck w/ Built-in Sequencer (Enabling
Devices)
* These devices offer randomizing options.
(Device list adopted from GPAT's list of Assistive Technology D