My low tech AAC devices are some of my most used therapy tools in the preschool population. They provide great support for all kids and can be used to make language lessons more interactive. In my class I have had many one and two switch items but I was excited to use a new item with a few more options. This is exactly what I found when I was given the Talk Bar to test out from Learning Resources. 
The Talk Bar is a 6 button electronic device. Each button can record 10 seconds of audio. What I love: The buttons are big – so my kids with poor motor control can easily operate it! The record function is easy to work. The power button slides between play/record/off. This will make it great to leave in classrooms where paraprofessionals and teachers can easily change out recordings without needed assistance. The other positive I see for the Talk Bar, is that it’s will be perfect for story sequencing. I can’t wait to have the kids work out sequences and then have them record each part. So many of my little guys can sequence pictures but can’t verbalize those steps. What I don’t love: It’s bulky. Although the unit it light, it is long and can’t be easily thrown in my work back to move from building to building. I don’t think it will replace my iPad for those traveling days. 
So here’s how I used it so far this summer! I brought out my client’s favorite game: Don’t Break the Ice. On my iPad I opened Custom Boards and made inserts for the game (ice, hammer, help, my turn, your turn.) Then I programmed the Talk Bar. We used it to play the game. My client clicked on the appropriate picture and then he attempted to repeat the phrase himself. The other uses are pretty much endless! Following directions, AAC, sequencing, games, story creation, Â and more. You can even mount it to the wall (it comes with predrilled holes!) The Talk Bar retails for $59.99. Learning Resources is going to give one reader their very own Talk Bar! Enter via rafflecopter below. a Rafflecopter giveaway Disclosure Statement: Learning Resources provided two free products. One for review and one for a giveaway winner. No other compensation was provided. Opinions listed are only mine.
50 Comments
This is totally something I can use in my classroom. I am glad it is bigger in size as many of my students have limited mobility.
I would use it with my nonverbal kiddos.
I have a new autistic preschooler who would really, really benefit from this! I would use it for her.
I have a classroom that I work in with children with Autism. One of the boys is essentially nonverbal. This would be a great tool for therapy!
I’m venturing into the world of private practice, so I won’t have school resources available to me. This would be perfect for use with my non-verbal kiddos and language groups!
Looks like a great AAC device!
first use — I’d use this during ‘share chair’ with a 4 year old to answer several questions (asked in a certain order)regarding an item he brought from home to share with his peers.
I’d use this with some of my students with autism. I have one student in particular who could really benefit from this.
What a great tool!
I would use it with my students with ASD as well. I think maybe I would make thematic and book-specific overlays to allow non-verbal children to participate in activities with their verbal peers.
I could use this with some of my students who have autism or cerebral palsy for basic responses. I could also see using it for sequencing tasks/story retell with my language students.
I would use this tool is the home health setting. I think it would benefit my preschool language children and older children with sequencing and storytelling. What a great tool!
I would use this for stories that have repeating lines, as well as activities such as weather or singing classroom songs.
I would use this with my preschoolers with autism and Down’s syndrome who have extremely limited expressive language. I could also use it with my preschoolers who have sequencing goals. As a fellow highly educated OU grad (Go Bobcats!) I’m sure I could find many uses for it!
I have two new students that could use this to comment on classroom activities.
I think I could get a lot of use out of that 🙂
This could also be used with categories, i.e. which are blue, which are pets, foods, ect. Or as a sequencing tool to follow along with books
I would love to use this with sequencing CV CV patterns with my EI kids with apraxia CV shapes in each button!!
Would be great to use for sequencing and following directions with my new preschool kids!
I would use it for basic communications within activities, sequencing activities, etc. during therapy. Thanks for the opportunity!
This would be a great addition for my ECDD classroom!
I think it’s a great idea for sequencing with my preschoolers!
I would use this with my daughter. She is on the autism spectrum.
Perfect for my students in our autism classrooms!
I would use this in the PPCD classroom for visual schedules or a sequencing activities :-0)
I just got my new caseload and it looks like two preschoolers are going to need to explore some AAC devices. I would love this
I would try this with some of my apraxia kiddos
I haven’t seen this device before! Thanks for the review!
– Sasha
The Autism Helper
I will be working in an elementary school and although I am not sure of my caseload completely, I do know of at least a couple nonverbal students with ASD as well some new kinders who could really benefit from this kind of device.
I would use it with my non-verbal students and also my young kiddos who are learning speech will get them further than tantrums.
I have several nonverbal students, and most of my students have motor impairments as well. I would love to use this with them! It would be great for sequencing during our cooking/life skills lessons.
Kara
Spedventures
I have a caseload of 35 kids with Autism. I would use it with many of my non-verbal or minimally verbal students.
I am also an elementary school SLP…would love to win this!
This would be awesome to use with my preschool special needs students!
This would be great for my preschoolers working on expressive language!
I would use it with my non-verbal kids with autism.
I teach a preschool class for children with developmental and physical disabilities. Most of my students are non or very limited verbal. I love finding new ways to help children communicate and show their independence!
Ooh! I like this and my students would benefit from this! Great idea!
This looks really helpful for my caseload of Special Day Class Preschool and Kindergarten students! I like the simplicity of this device. It seems like a great tool to help my kiddos communicate!
This will be my first year working with preschool in about 7 years. I’m excited about this tool to help them initiate communication!
I have the perfect little guy in mind! He would be thrilled to have this new tool to help him communicate, and not to mention he loves things that talk back to him. Thanks for the chance!
I would use it with my preschoolers with limited expressive language, for sequencing, for requesting during games/activities, and with almost any other student working on expressive language.
What couldn’t I do with this? This would be great to use with almost any student. It would be highly motivating for all my kiddos. Now I have to go to their website to check it out and their other products. Thanks for the review! 🙂
Looks great for narratives and sequencing!
This would be a perfect and portable communication system for my preschoolers with special needs. I could use it for so many things: listing vocabulary words during story time, food options during lunch, requesting items during an art activity and getting to know our classmates/teachers.
This is great! Thanks for sharing!
i’d love to try it! how do you enter the giveaway?
I would use this with preschoolers to make choices
I just started a new job which includes working with a Severely Handicapped class who all use low-tech AAC. This would be a great supplement for them!
Very cool AAC device. I’ve just started working with a group of non-verbal 1st & 2nd grade students and this would be wonderful to use for them. I enjoyed reading all the comments on your post.