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Augmentative & Alternative Communication Apps for Bilinguals
Augmentative & Alternative Communication Apps for Bilinguals
This page includes a breakdown of high-tech applications for those with bilingual augmentative alternative communication (AAC) needs. Reviews referenced were from individuals who had experience with the apps and gave feedback through the Apple App Store or blogs.
These apps are divided into three categories: medical, functional communication, and social communication. The medical section includes apps with specific medical terminology functionality. The functional communication apps are designed for open dialogue with a communication partner. The social communication apps require pre-programming to relate a story or an event.
Ideal candidates for these apps would have a high level of manual dexterity. Most of the apps would require fine motor control for typing and manipulating the pages.
Medical: Include Medical Terminology
Medical: Include Medical Terminology
Lingraphica Apps: SmallTalk
Lingraphica makes a series of AAC applications called SmallTalk for basic phrases in a variety of contexts, including medical settings.
Purpose: An app for those with difficulties speaking to communicate with medical care providers regarding their feelings and needs. Tailored to patients in the ICU (Intensive Care Unit), but can be used in other settings. Users choose picture-based vocabulary to say phrases like, “I am in pain,” or “I want to be comforted.” The pictures that match the words make this app useful for non-English speakers as well.
Languages: English only; however, pictures are useful for non-English speakers.
Price: Free
Platforms: iPhone and iPad
Reviews: On the Apple App Store, the average rating was 5/5 stars. Users report that it is simple and effective.
Purpose: An app for those with difficulties speaking to communicate with medical care providers regarding their pain level. Users choose picture-based vocabulary to choose pain ratings and locations based on human anatomy. The pictures that match the words make this app useful for non-English speakers as well.
Languages: English only; however, pictures are useful for non-English speakers.
Price: Free
Platforms: iPhone and iPad
Reviews: On the Apple App Store, the average rating was 3.5/5 stars. Users report that it is simple to use but can be slow to load.
Purpose: An app for those with difficulties speaking to communicate with medical care providers regarding their swallowing needs. Users choose picture-based vocabulary to say phrases like, “I need to have my teeth brushed,” or “I need to do a supraglottic swallow with each bite.” The pictures that match the words make this app useful for non-English speakers as well.
Languages: English only; however, pictures are useful for non-English speakers.
Price: Free
Platforms: iPhone and iPad
Reviews: On the Apple App Store, the average rating was 5/5 stars. Users report that it is simple, effective, and includes important phrases for those with dysphagia.
Functional Communication: Designed for Open Dialogue
Functional Communication: Designed for Open Dialogue
Purpose: Talk For Me - Text to Speech was designed and engineered by a person who lost the ability to speak. Designed for the user to type a message to have the device say aloud. The user can also set up custom commonly used phrases that are spoken with the touch of a button. Offers multiple voices, variable speech tempo, multiple languages, and customization.
Languages: English (US) (AU) (UK), Spanish (MX) (ES), German, French (FR), Dutch (BE) (NL), Chinese (CN) (HK) (TW), Korean, Japanese
Price: $1.99
Platforms: iPhone and iPad
Reviews: On the Apple App Store, the average rating was 4.3/5 stars. Most users report that it performs well and provides a helpful service. Many SLPs recommend this app.
SmallTalk Conversational Phrases
Purpose: An app for those with difficulties speaking to communicate in basic daily conversation. Users choose picture-based vocabulary to say phrases like, “I have trouble speaking, but I can understand you" and "Ask yes or no questions please".
Price: Free
Platforms: iPhone and iPad
Reviews: On the Apple App Store, the average rating was 4.4/5 stars for the English version and 5/5 stars for the Spanish version. Users report that the app is simple and easy to use.
Purpose: An app for those with difficulties speaking to communicate about daily activities. Users choose picture-based vocabulary to say phrases like, “I'd like something to eat,” or “I need to take my medicine.” The pictures that match the words make this app useful for non-English speakers as well.
Languages: English only; however, pictures are useful for non-English speakers.
Price: Free
Platforms: iPhone and iPad
Reviews: On the Apple App Store, the average rating was 4.5/5 stars. Users report it is simple and helpful.
Purpose: A comprehensive, customizable AAC app available in multiple languages. The app uses images, video, and audio files to offer the user multiple ways to communicate, including text to speech. Allows the user to customize the interface and create customized phrases. Doesn't require internet access. Supports other applications on the device.
Languages: ____
Price: Free lite version available. Full mobile version $99-179. Full browser version $35-120. Each additional language $39.99 after English. See options here.
Platforms: Mobile version for iPhone, iPad, Android; Browser version for PCs running OS X or Windows
Reviews: On the Apple App Store, the average rating was 5/5 stars. Users report that the app has lots of helpful features yet it is simple to use.
Social Communication: Designed for Pre-Programming
Social Communication: Designed for Pre-Programming
Purpose: This app is designed for visual storytelling and is especially useful for those with communication differences and disorders. Allows for the creation of visual schedules, slide shows, and stories with photos, videos, recorded voice, or text to speech. The stories can be shared with other Pictello users or saved as a PDF and printed. Useful for social communication with a set script.
Languages: English, Spanish, German, French, Italian, or Dutch
Price: $19.99
Platforms: iPhone or iPad
Reviews: On the Apple App Store, the average rating was 3.8/5 stars. Most users found the app to be easy to use and practical for increasing social communication and peer interaction.
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