AAC
AAC Apps
(Please note that there are a lot more options. These are just a few that are common). The prices are the apps only, not a full communication system. Medical Assistance (MA) can cover AAC devices with programs on them for eligible students with communication needs. Apps and devices can be loaned for a trial either from the vendors or from the lending libraries of:
Minnesota Government STAR Program
AAC Evaluation Genie- $12.99. A tool to assess best AAC set-up, allows for direct touch or switch selection.
Weave Chat is a FREE category-based, dynamic, and completely customizable AAC application designed to run on iOS and Android devices. They also have a low-tech section on their website for printable options.
Proloquo2Go- $249.99 in app store. AAC app that combines unique features, such as research-based vocabulary levels, (activity) templates to support motor-planning, ExpressivePower™ to express yourself and full bilingual support. And all that with minimal customization effort! Proloquo2Go is designed to ensure growth of communication skills and to promote language development. It covers all users, from beginning to advanced users, while catering for a wide range of fine-motor, visual and cognitive skills.
GoTalk NOW-free/ $79.99 in app store. Includes adjustable page layouts, customizable navigation, and text-to-speech capabilities, flexibility to import sounds and images from the internet, your camera, and GoTalk Overlay Software. Pages may be backed-up, restored or shared via Dropbox or iTunes. Allows links to websites (videos)! Free version offers up to 5 customized pages.
Snap + Core First: free for SLPs, from TobiiDynavox, $179.99 for others, requires about 1GB space. Snap + Core First lets users start communicating quickly and stay engaged as they grow and evolve on their communication journey. Centered on Tobii Dynavox's Core First approach to delivering a systematic, proven, research-based Core Word framework.
LAMP Words for Life- $299.99 in app store. It is structured to enable early success and allow the client’s vocabulary and communication skills to grow in a way that doesn’t require re-learning along the way. Because this is a pre-programmed vocabulary program, Words for Life doesn’t require extensive customization. It focuses on motor memory to improve communication speed.
Clicker Communicator app- $199 for iOS robust AAC app. Easy to read Sassoon font. Realistic children’s voices. Child-friendly keyboard with symbol-supported predictor. Research-based Vocabulary Sets at three levels. Free curriculum-based Vocabulary Sets on LearningGrids. This app comes with the complete SymbolStix library. If you wish to ONLY use Widgit or PCS symbols, these versions of Clicker Communicator are available as separate apps in the App Store.
Yes/No App- free. Simple app with green yes and red no button.
AACORN- $69.99 Creates "word trees" that encourage correct sentence structure rather than navigating page by page. iOS app.
ChatAble- $99.99 ChatAble enables you to build grids, visual scenes, and hybrid pages. These are all fully customisable, enabling you to change the size and layout of the grids. You can also upload your own photos and add highlights to them to emphasize the part of the picture that you want to focus on. Has progress monitoring and gamification tools built in.
Predictable- $159.99 App for literate students that allows word prediction with voice output (improves with use), quick phrases, floor hold phrases. 5 keyboards available, cloud back-up, available for iOS, Microsoft and Google. Switch/tap accessible.
Lingraphica- device system developed for people with aphasia. Insurance funded. Available in several size options.
SmallTalk- free for iOS. Small talk app.
Proloquo4Text- $119.99 intuitive word and sentence prediction uses what you type to anticipate what you might say next. Single screen layout, which keeps everything at hand. Creat own phrases, group them, search history, can be paired with accessible keyboards, switch control, and voice-over. Supports multitasking on iPad.
Scene&Heard- $54.99. iOS app. Create, print, and share up to 5 communication books, uses visual scenes for context based communication. Take own pictures and add hotspots. Step-by-step task prompter and transition countdown. Visual time tables and reminders.
WordToob- $14.99, iOS app. Language learning with video modeling, randomized video picks to help with generalization, video supported visual schedule (self-modeling!), social skills via video modeling, share your day, AAC and EL support, reading skills (can take picture away).
TouchChatHD- $149.99, iOS app. Words, phrases and messages are spoken with a built-in voice synthesizer or by playing recorded message. Provided page sets can be modified to create new custom page sets. Select from over 30 button actions when creating new buttons. Over 10,000 Symbolstix© symbols are included for customizing buttons. Use any image or take a photo with the built-in camera. Gestures can also be used to navigate to new pages, speak messages, etc. Can share messages on social media. TouchChat also has a unique feature whereby one can simply tilt the device to make the message expand to fill the screen in large letters. This feature allows a person to communicate silently or in a noisy environment. Button activation timing can be adjusted to meet the needs and capabilities of the user. Adjustments include button dwell time and button release time. Also buttons can be configured to activate on release. Users can program buttons to play audio files such as music from the media library or video files from the Photo Roll.
Sounding Board free iOS app- app includes pre-loaded communication boards, or you can create your own with up to 20-message locations.
Verbally free iOS app- Core Words Grid offers over 50 essential words, which can save you over 50% of the taps required to input your sentences. Core Phrases Grid offers a dozen common phrases to enable faster & easier conversation. Text Prediction that learns the words & names you use and makes entering your thoughts significantly faster than typing. Keyboard Layouts so that you can find the one that's best for you. Choice of Male or Female Voices. There is a paid premium version for $99.99 with more features.
Speak For Yourself iOS app $299. Offer codes at no cost to speech-language pathologists (SLP) and AAC evaluators so that clients can try it! If you’re a SLP and you’d like to explore the SfY app, please email at info@speakforyourself.org. No more than 2 touches for any word. Searchable.
CoughDrop $200 or $6/mo Online based AAC app with lots of options, so can be used on multiple devices with storage/backup in the cloud. Can be used offline, too. Allows data collection for support staff to make decisions. Free 2-month full version trial period. Virtual core board: https://app.mycoughdrop.com/wahlquist/projectcore-36universalcore
CoreScanner: AAC built for switch scanning (single or dual switch, can have auditory scanning added), based on motor memory/static language system.
More options:
Top AAC iPad apps with descriptions and pricing info
Best AAC apps with extensive pro/cons info
Practical AAC, a resource site with research articles, tools, hand-outs etc
Project Core, a website with lots of printables, resources etc. including 3D printable core symbols!
Additional Resources for AAC use
Supporting Spanish Speaking AAC users- web article
Supporting Emergent Writing Activities with AAC users- sign up for online cource with Saltillo
Developing Early Writing Skills- Google Slides presentation from Kelly Fonner, MS. Showing many alternative ways to develop skills!
AssisitveWare Core Classroom- great free resource for teaching core words and how to expand the vocabulary by Proloquo2Go
AAC Laguage Lab- Core Curriculum with some free resources, the rest paid ($19.99/yr)
Core First printable books and lesson plans- free resource by Tobii Dynavox
Active with AAC- how to incorporate AAC in various games and activities