Change can bring challenges, even good changes. The Greek philosopher Heraclitus is known for the quote: “The only constant in life is change.” It could be finding out the grocery store has moved your favorite cereal, and you have to hunt for it, or realizing your way to work has been disrupted by construction and you are now forced to take a different route. These inconveniences can cause momentary anxiety for anyone; however, individuals on the autism spectrum may find change upsetting or frightening.
This is why the upcoming refresh of the LAMP Words for Life® (WFL) app icon was thoughtfully considered. Apps and the use of the iPad® have undergone many transitions since LAMP WFL released in 2012. The LAMP WFL icon was modernized to better reflect the app’s functionality – while the “L” shape represents “LAMP”, it also symbolizes the motor planning foundation of the vocabulary. This change aligns with company branding and follows Apple®’s best practices for icon creation to ensure optimal usability and accessibility. The original app icon colors are not considered accessible for someone who may have vision issues.
The app icon will change with our next software update in April. The icon won't change on a communicator’s iPad until they update their software to 2025.2. The icon location on the iPad home screen will not change so your motor plan to open the app will stay the same.
How can you best support your LAMP WFL app user during this transition? Here are three suggestions.
Talk about change and flexible thinking.
Prepare for the upcoming change by sharing the new app icon with your communicator. Print and leave copies of it where your AAC user can see it. Reduce the icon size and tape it to the iOS device frame and point to it when you open the LAMP WFL app using the current icon.
Use a social story to explain the upcoming icon change.
The Social Story™ is a well-respected, evidenced-based strategy that has been used for more than 30 years with people of all ages to help them understand daily interactions and events. Developed by Carol Gray, educational consultant, a social story accurately describes context, skill, achievement, or concept. It is meaningful, respectful, as well as physically, socially, and emotionally safe for the reader. It consists of descriptive sentences defining the idea/situation/problem/concept and coaching statements that gently guide behavior by suggestions.
Download the attached social story about the new icon. Personalize it with photos of your AAC user and make copies. Read it with your AAC user several times a day and provide a copy that your AAC user can interact with on their own. Reading the story many times before the anticipated change will help you plan and prepare for their response.
Note: It’s important to reassure your AAC user that while the app icon is changing, their words will be the same.
Make a short video explaining the upcoming icon change.
If your AAC user enjoys videos, make a simple video 60 seconds or less explaining the upcoming change that they can watch over and over.
Let your AAC user watch the video several times in preparation. Give them a paper copy of the app icon to hold as they watch the video. Reassure your AAC user that while the app icon is changing, their words will be the same.
Everyone responds to change differently. Change can be challenging for individuals with autism as well as others who have anxiety or intellectual disabilities. We hope that these simple suggestions will assist you as you prepare your LAMP WFL app user for this icon refresh.