please help with sentences for a talking device (complicated, sorry)

[inheritancetrack]

So DS is non verbal and I am putting together a speech app on his ipad.

I'm OK except on the school lessons pages.

He has 21 buttons to fill, some with ' short 'helper' sentences that lead onto the actual topic. topics like space, science, maths and so on, so the sentences need to be specific to the subject.

subjects are english (so i'll have read in there) maths, geography, technology, art, history, music and anything else they are taught in school. 12 year old boy.

picture shows the type of device.

So... I want to see..... I can't do that.... type of thing. Mentally shot to pieces here. speech and l teacher has asked me to do it as I am brilliant at it apparently!

Used to be a programmer but this is taxing me as I have no idea what they do in school

Is it commands like this?

I’m stuck on ...
Can you show me ...
Can you repeat ...
I understand that now!
Where’s the ...
What happens if

I’m not sure if I follow you
My son was mute for a few years - had has ASD

Does your son know what would help? How old is he?

Hi, my son (also 12) is non-verbal and uses AAC, I don't have advice about picture-based systems as my son uses text-to-speech but just wondered whether you have considered whether he may be able to be trained to use text at any level? Obviously I have no idea of his level of language, motor skills etc, but from the complexity of the school subjects you mentioned it sounds like he may have some language ability? PM me if you would like to chat.

Hi SLT here. So do you already have the helper sentences sorted? I'm sure you already know this but they are really important to get right. But obvs anything can be changed if it doesn't work. So somewhere you need the stuff like no, go away, I feel ill, not now, help, I've finished, what next?, Etc.

PS not sure but you may get more replies if you put this in the SN kids forum as well?

Then questions re school stuff that could be used in all subject..as someone else has said, 'repeat that please, slow down, I'm stuck, I already know that, I'm busy'

Then do you get a chance to go behind each subject button? If so then behind 'art' button you could have paint, more, spilt, dropped, help me with, pencil, can't ' etc so he can make two key word sentences and combinations like more paint, dropped pencils, help me with pencil etc. Or if combinations are too difficult you could have dropped pencils etc on one button, but then he doesn't have a a many choices if what to say. If I were you I would definitely try to run this by SLT or school staff as you go

And whatever you do it can always be changed! The dept you are working with may be different but we try to have slt assistants go out to parents as they do this to offer advice if needed.

@GettinPiggyWithIt

Is it commands like this?

I’m stuck on ...
Can you show me ...
Can you repeat ...
I understand that now!
Where’s the ...
What happens if

Yes!! xxx

@MrsPsmalls Yes, we have a core section, but because the grid is small (until he gets better) in detailed lessons i just want some full sentences so that he can ask quick questions, or make comments without switching back and for into the core section.

Its eye gaze, so very tiring for him.

@theDudesmummy He can read so the words are there too and we will eventually fade out the symbols and leave the words only. Working towards text. Not gone through SN as its really a bit of outside the box thinking I need.

@MrsPsmalls We did have a home visit with SLT and we are going for a very simple set up with minimal jumps. Eye gaze is a tricky thing to set up and get proficient at to start with. Aiming for short sentences in core, but lots of choice for lesson subjects. School can also edit in their latest subject.

I think some universal sentences, like 'I don't know', then a lesson specific sentence like 'I can't read that' for english.

Can you find a similarly aged child and ask what kind of questions they might ask in assorted subjects?

Ok
So how about

What’s next
Have we got homework
I’ve forgotten how to
I can’t hear that
Can you say that again
Sorry I’ve forgotten
Can I go to the nurse?
Can I go to the toilet
I need more paper / pencil
Can you pass me the
I’m stuck on question
When’s the test
Can I get some water
I forgot to bring ...
I don’t understand what I’m doing

@GettinPiggyWithIt Perfect, thank you