What are AAC Apps?

AAC apps are augmentative/alternative communication programs that allow a person to communicate with those around them without speaking.  There are many different types of AAC but the most common are high-tech AAC Devices that allow a person to push a button to speak a message.  These are helpful for children or adults who have either lost the ability to speak or who are not able to speak well enough to clearly communicate everything that they want to say.  This includes some children with conditions such as autism, childhood apraxia of speech, and other types of speech/language delays.  These devices are sometimes called “communication devices” or “talkers”.

For more information on teaching a child to use an AAC System or Device, click here!

Purchasing a dedicated AAC device can be expensive and going through insurance can take a long time. For that reason, many of the AAC companies have created AAC apps that can be downloaded and used on tablets, phones, and other devices for a fraction of the price.  Here are some of the most common AAC Apps available today:

AAC Devices Course

AAC Devices Course

SLP's Guide to Using AAC with Non-Speaking Clients

AAC App 1: TouchChat by Saltillo

AAC App 1: TouchChat by Saltillo

Price: $299

Review of TouchChat AAC App:

This app was created by Saltillo which is a company that makes dedicated AAC devices as well as communication apps.  That means, this same software comes installed on their durable devices that are designed to be used specifically as an AAC device and nothing else.  Why is that a good thing?  Well, you know that they’ve spent tons of time and money on research and development of their software and if you try the app and find you like it, you can easily transition to a dedicated device that will last you longer and is often covered by insurance companies.

When you open the app, you have the option to choose from many different pre-programmed boards that are specifically designed for different populations.  You can start with very simple boards that were designed for young children with developmental delays or move up to a more sophisticated device.  There are even specific boards for adolescents that has bigger buttons for those who aren’t ready for the more sophisticated boards, but who need more sophisticated language than a preschooler would need.

Types of Boards on TouchChat AAC App:

Saltillo used research conducted in adolescent homes about the types of vocabulary that these children want to use.  The “Word Power” boards are much more sophisticated and allow for more language development and growth.  These boards range from 20 buttons per page up through 80 buttons per page, allowing the child to have access to as many buttons as his motor skills will allow.

I personally use the 42 Position option the most often and I love that there is a basic version and a more sophisticated version of the same 42-button layout.  The more sophisticated option changes certain words on the screen when one button is pushed, allowing the device to predict what you may be trying to say.  This cuts down on navigation time significantly.  However, the basic version of this doesn’t allow buttons to change as much and includes more pictures/symbols on buttons instead of plain text.  This allows for you to customize the device to the individual child with the push of a button.

Customizing Boards in TouchChat AAC App

Once you choose a board, the boards themselves are also easy to customize and you can easily hide as many buttons as you need to.  This is great for a kiddo who is just starting out and needs help guiding her attention to the target button.  When she’s ready, the buttons can easily be added back on.  There are also features that can be used to allow the child to change pages quickly using gestures.  I found these troublesome with some of my younger children because they would accidentally do the gesture while trying to push a button and it would change pages.  Fortunately, these can be turned off for your little ones.

The website for Touch Chat contains tons of support and resources including Webinars and Trainings.  Plus, since the app is provided by a company that sells full AAC devices, you always have access to a local rep who can tell you all about the dedicated AAC devices if you decide that your child would benefit from having his own AAC device.

What I love About TouchChat AAC App:

  • Created by a company that makes dedicated AAC devices as well as communication apps so it’s easy to transition from app to a more durable device
  • Pre-programmed boards are specifically designed for certain ages or populations, including a set for adolescents who are often overlooked in the AAC world
  • Within each button size option (how many buttons per screen), there are options for more basic boards or more sophisticated ones
  • Easily hide and edit buttons
  • Tons of support online plus local reps that will show you how the dedicated devices work

AAC App 2: Avaz

AAC App 2: Avaz

Click Here to Visit the Avaz Website

Price: $9.99 monthly; $99.99 yearly; or $199.99 Lifetime

Review:

This communication app is designed for children with autism and definitely goes beyond your every day basic communication apps.  When you first open it, you will see a helpful sidebar at the right of the screen which offers quick choices such as going back, going home, using quick phrases, an error button that will immediately say “I made a mistake”, and an alert button that plays a doorbell type noise that could be used to gain attention or alert a listener to a problem.  That last one is a feature I haven’t seen on other communication apps.  This side bar, along with the other buttons, adds functionality that some communication apps are missing.

Communication Options with Avaz AAC App:

From the home page, you can access core words or more advanced screens that contain topic-specific vocabulary words. This page can be customized to only show the pages that are most helpful for your specific child.  This app is extremely customizable and you can turn off any feature that you find you don’t need.

For example, there is a zoom feature that can be activated to zoom in on the button you just selected.  This may be helpful for some children (such as those with visual impairment or distractibility) but it drove me nuts so I was happy to find I could turn it off.  You can also hide/show any of the buttons if you need a less-distracting screen.  You can also change the button size so that there is just one button per page all the way up through 40 pictures per screen.  This is helpful for children with vision or motor problems as well as those who are just starting out with AAC.

Additional Features of Avaz AAC App:

Other features highlighted on the website include the ability to track the child’s use of the device during therapy sessions to mark progress, reinforcement via animation, use of consistent motor plans, and prediction with pictures.  The Avaz website has tons of support resources with videos and guides.  It also includes a list of their local resource centers which will provide assistance if you live near them.

The website also includes info about the research conducted to design the app.  Although I do not have any experience using this particular app with specific children, I find the app easy to use and full of great tools and resources for children who require an assistive communication device.  This is a great one to check out!

What I love about Avaz AAC App:

  • Available on Android
  • Reasonably priced as far as communication apps go
  • Side bar allows for easy access to home, quick phrases, an error button, and an alert button which simply plays a tone to gain attention (very cool tool)
  • Contains core vocabulary as well as topic-specific words
  • Very customizable for each child
  • Button sizes of 1 button per screen through 40 buttons per screen
  • Backed by research

AAC App 3: Proloquo2Go

AAC App 3: Proloquo2Go

Click Here to Visit the Proloquo2Go Website

Price: $249.99 on iOS; $124.99 on macOS

From the Proloquo2Go Website:

You’ll love how this symbol-based app helps users learn how to express themselves. Proloquo2Go puts the user’s development first, with innovative features based on clinical knowledge and user research.

It’s also one of the few AAC apps designed to support all users, from beginning to advanced. Completely customizable and designed for a range of fine-motor and visual skills, the app’s versatility makes it useful for non-verbal people with autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and a range of other diagnoses or speech impediments like apraxia and dysarthria.

Smart features and a handy layout make navigating and using the app simple.

  • Core words stay in the same place throughout the vocabulary to aid motor planning.
  • Customizable folder organization. You can also create your own folders easily, based on thematic templates.
  • Designed for a range of fine-motor and visual skills with options like 23 pre-programmed grid sizes and accessibility settings which support scanning and Apple’s VoiceOver.

Use it your way

Quickly and easily customizable – everything from the vocabulary to the appearance can be changed.

  • Add your own buttons for the most important things in your life – choosing from 25,000 symbols or using your own photos.
  • Over 100 free natural-sounding Text to Speech voices across all languages, including our own children’s voices. Supports bilingual use, including switching languages mid-sentence.
  • Use your regional vocabulary and accent with voices in British, Australian and American English, European and Canadian French, Castilian and American Spanish, and Dutch and Flemish

AAC App 4: LAMP Words for Life

AAC App 4: LAMP Words for Life

Click Here to Visit the LAMP Website

Price: $299.99

From the LAMP Website:

LAMP Words for Life® 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.

Features to Support Language Learning

LAMP Words for Life® has thousands of words to support robust communication. It allows the individual to put words together to say whatever they want to say, use verb and adjective forms, and add word endings to use language the same as verbal speakers. Having a robust communication system even if the individual is an emergent communicator, allows for words to be learned the way they will always be said on the device. It provides a pathway for unlimited growth with no change and relearning along the way. There are features in the app to simplify learning while maintaining consistency.

One Motor Pattern per Word

With verbal speech, a word is always produced by the same motor movement. That movement becomes automatic so we don’t have to think about how to produce those sounds. LAMP Words for Life® follows the same principal. Each word is produced by a unique motor movement that remains consistent whether there are 10 words or all words showing.

Vocabulary Builder

When teaching words to beginning communicators, it may be helpful to limit the words available on the screen to increase success. Vocabulary Builder lets you target select words during engaging activities so the learner can practice the motor movement without visual distraction while hearing the word and learning it through a natural response.

Word Finder

Word Finder helps you learn where a word is stored. For example, if you want to teach the word “thirsty” but you don’t know where to find it, use the Word Finder tool to type in the word to see where it’s located. Touch the picture sequence to practice the motor plan.

Additional AAC Resources:

Download our AAC Starter Kit with a printable communication board plus instructions on how to introduce AAC to a child.  This can also be used to introduce a child’s own AAC Device to them if you already have one.  Or, take our course on using AAC with non-speaking or minimally verbal children.

AAC Starter Kit

AAC Starter Kit

Picture boards, training videos, and activities to teach communication through AAC | Available Inside The Hub

AAC Devices Course

AAC Devices Course

SLP's Guide to Using AAC with Non-Speaking Clients

 

Free Therapy Materials for Teaching Words with AAC:

Check out the freebies that we have inside our Free Therapy Material Library!

Tips for Encouraging Children to Use an AAC Device/System

6 Tips for Encouraging a Child to Use their AAC System

AAC Cheat Sheet

AAC Cheat Sheet

AAC and Autism Resource Guide

AAC and Autism Handout: Giving a Child a Voice with AAC

Carrie Clark, Speech-Language Pathologist

About the Author: Carrie Clark, MA CCC-SLP

Hi, I’m Carrie! I’m a speech-language pathologist from Columbia, Missouri, USA. I’ve worked with children and teenagers of all ages in schools, preschools, and even my own private practice. I love digging through the research on speech and language topics and breaking it down into step-by-step plans for my followers.

Fun Fact: I was once called in by my supervisor on a Friday afternoon.  She said the budget had to be turned in by 3:00 PM and they had an unexpected $4,000 left to spend.  She told me if I could make my order by 3:00 PM I could buy as many AAC devices and systems as would fit into that budget.  I cancelled my clients for the rest of the day and ended up with the most beautiful AAC library imaginable for my school!

Connect with Me: