KEYCOMM INFORMATION SHEET

*We can not guarantee the price of these apps, as they tend to change in cost regularly. 1

Lothian Communication Technology Service

Communica tion Apps for the ipad

There are many communication apps available to download from itunes. We have selected what we believe to be the best. Symbol based sys tems App Description Our thoughts Price

SoundingBoard

This offers a symbol based communication app. Each page can be programmed with 1-9 buttons. There is a small picture library and the option of importing your own pictures. Messages are recorded on the button. It does not contain synthetic voices. Buttons can be directly used through the touchscreen or can be made switch accessible. This would require an additional switch and switch interface. These pages can be edi ted and persona l ized.

Simple, good for individual with a small bank of vocabulary. Limited picture library.

£35.99*

Tap Speak Choice

This is a symbol based communication app. Each page can be programmed with between 1-56 buttons. This behaves as a static communication device, which means that the buttons carry a message, but do not have the facility to move onto a different page. Navigation is facilitated. The symbol set used are PCS symbols, which can be found in Boardmaker. These pages can be directly used through the touchscreen, or can be made switch accessible. This would require an additional switch and switch interface. This has recorded speech. These pages can be edi ted and persona l ized.

More appropriate for an individual who uses a static communication aid but requires more levels

£59.99*

Tap Speak Sequence (TS sequence)

This is a simple sequential symbol based system, rather like a step-by-step but with corresponding pictures. Sequenced messages can be recorded on to the device and then a picture can be added to support the message. An PCS library licence can be purchased for an additional fee. This can be ed i ted and persona l ized.

Very simple, can link cause and effect to early communication

£20.99*

KEYCOMM INFORMATION SHEET

*We can not guarantee the price of these apps, as they tend to change in cost regularly. 2

Lothian Communication Technology Service

P ictel lo

Pictello is a story making or slideslow app which can be used for making communication passports and social stories. Each story can be told using synthetic speech or can be recorded. This can be ful ly personal ized.

Effective way to bring communication to real photographs

£13.49*

Sono F lex

This is a comprehensive symbol based communication app, with synthetic speech. It was created by Tobii. It comes with an extensive vocabulary which is organised differently to other dynamic display communication systems. The vocabulary is arranged into contexts eg. the vocabulary that would be needed for at the doctor’s is under the context, doctor, and contains a range of word types. The symbol set used is SymbolStix. These pages can be ed ited and personal ized.

Sophisticated communication system, and relies upon the user having a key bank of communication skills to use effectively

£69.99*

Proloquo2Go

This is a comprehensive communication app which can be used either as a symbol based and/or text based system. It comes with an extensive range of vocabulary which is organised into categories. It has a predictive keyboard. The symbol set used is SymbolStix. Some settings can be altered for access, such as hold time (how long a button needs to be pressed until it speaks). These pages can be ed ited and personal ized.

Sophisticated communication system, and relies upon the user having a key bank of communication skills to use effectively

£129.99*

Smal lTa lk Aphas ia

This is a symbol based communication app for people who have aphasia. It contains a bank of phrases with symbols under categories, including conversation, telephone, emergency, meals, eating out, health and pain scale. This is fairly basic and can not be ed i ted. The app also contains videos of the phrases. This app has a female voice version and a male voice version.

Bank of useful basic needs requests

Free*

KEYCOMM INFORMATION SHEET

*We can not guarantee the price of these apps, as they tend to change in cost regularly. 3

Lothian Communication Technology Service

Text based sys tems

Speak i t !

Text to speech communication app. Frequently used phrases can be stored. This requires good literacy skills. This app does not have a predictive keyboard, but word prediction appears inline with typing.

Clear layout, simple to use

£1.49*

PhraseBoard

Phrase Board is a text based system. It comes with a range of pain indicator statements, but can also be customised to hold frequently used phrases as well, which appear in a window at the bottom of the screen. There is also a draw page where messages can be written by hand. This was designed for lengthy hospital stays

Easy to add own list of common phrases, draw page if typing is difficult

Free*

Talk Ass ist

Text to speech communication app. Simple to use Free*

Pred ictable

Text to speech app, with word prediction. Buttons can be directly used through the touchscreen or can be made switch accessible. This would require an additional switch and switch interface.

Good if prediction is important. Offers alternative access, via switching if typing is not possible

£109.99*