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Assistive Technology - PECS
2
Assistive Technology:
How to use Otsimo (PECS)
Paulina Pereira
SPED08540
What is Pecs?
PECS
Defined
- PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System)
- AAC that uses pictures and visuals as a form of communication
- Emotions/Feelings
- Wants/Needs
- Conversation
- Student can use PECS-related technology, apps, internet extensions, etc. in class and at home
- PECS is beneficial for students who are non verbal, or struggle with communication
Otsimo AAC
Otsimo AAC
Set Up
- A PECS - related app that can be downloaded on devices such as an iPad, tablet, etc.
- Free 3 day membership, then proceeds to a monthly plan
- Can be customized, includes a wide range of features, pictures, phrases, and can range in difficulty in order to implement an action plan to prompt improvement over time
Check out the following video to see the set-up of Otsimo
Otsimo Video
Set Up
- Otsimo set-up features include language, voice, grid size, and more, to allow for complete flexibility and individual preference for how you want the set-up to look
- Adaptable, customizable, and step-by-step procedure helps for an easy set-up
Otsimo Settings
- By accessing the settings of the app, certain features like color, font size, and button spacing, can be modified to make the screen practical for use
Otsimo
Features
Check out the following tabs for video tutorials on different Otsimo features
Otsimo Features
Otsimo Features
- Each time a button is selected, the category is spoken out loud so that the user can hear the selection and understand the combination of thoughts they are putting together
- There exists a variety of categories, phrases, words, so the user can specifically identify their wants/needs
- User can piece together thoughts using pictures and make the connection between visual and verbal communication
Otsimo Speech
Otsimo Speech
- User has the option to either select pictures to create and speak phrases, or, can type a phrase, and it will turn the text into speech,
- For students who may struggle with verbal communication or are non-verbal, text-to-speech provides similar benefits that visuals can
- This feature can help students increase their cognitive skills, communication, and literacy
Otsimo Phrases
- Helping with consistency and routine, the "favorite phrases" section on the app helps save phrases and words used often so that the user can easily refer back to a statement and select it with ease
- Basic conversation, daily needs like food and drink, etc. are all useful and beneficial if they are easily accessible
Otsimo
Phrases
Conclusion
Otsimo AAC is an innovative implementation of PECS. Highlighting visual communication, cognitive thinking, and sentence structure, it is a perfect assistive technology tool to help students who may be nonverbal or struggle with communication, have a voice in and outside the classroom and gain confidence in their own ability to communicate with peers, teachers, and family
Resources:
Otsimo. (2023, March 9). Otsimo AAC: Tap and talk. App Store. https://apps.apple.com/us/app/otsimo-aac-tap-and-talk/id6443643989