Sometimes it can be overwhelming finding the right speech therapy apps that motivate and also facilitate learning and communication. Speech therapy apps can help young people suffering from speech difficulties.
If you are a Speech Language Pathologist or a parent or a friend who knows adults or children diagnosed with any speech challenges, there are many speech therapy apps that might be helpful in supporting communication development. They’ve been shown to be effective for adults recovering from stroke and brain injury.
Language building is essential during the first years of a child’s life, as this is when most of the pathways for developing speech, language and cognitive skills are formed.
Speech and language therapy apps helps children and young people who are having difficulties with the development of their speech, language, communication and feeding. These speech therapy apps will help SLPs for encouraging speech and language development in young children and adults.
Here is the list of best speech therapy apps that help people learn and develop better communication skills.
Speech Blubs is a free speech therapy app that uses voice controlled and video technology to develop speech articulation for young children with or without speech difficulties. This app has over 1,500 activities that aid over practice of speech sounds in a fun and engaging way. With over 4 million downloads and a 4.6 rating on Apple Store, this app is one of the most popular speech therapy app.
Features
- Over 1500 exercises, activities, videos, and mini-games
- Scientifically proven approach for speech development
- Weekly new content and voice-activated functionality
- Sticker rewards and self-assessment reports
- Categories for different developmental stages and speech sounds
Pros
- Intuitive design and excellent video modeling
- Fun photo filters and engaging reward system
- Useful for children with a range of speech difficulties
- Effective for both individual and classroom use
- Regularly updated with new and diverse content
Cons
- Stronger on word introduction than pronunication
Price: Free with in-app purchases
Speech Blubs is available for the iPhone, iPad and Android devices.
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Designed with speech-language pathologists, Sago Mini First Words boosts your child's communication skills through fun and engaging learning games.
The activities include copying the mouth movements of a child in a video, saying words out loud, dragging and dropping items into place and more. The second section is divided into levels and takes kids through speech-based tasks of growing complexity.
Features
- Interactive activities and mini-games focused on words like numbers, colors, and letters
- Spoken examples and instructions, with text highlighted as read
- Speech-based tasks in pre-defined order with adaptive learning
- Uses device's camera and microphone for interactive learning
- Parental controls and comprehensive FAQs for guidance
Pros
- Child-friendly interface with large, clear icons
- Diverse examples for mouth movements and pronunciation
- Device feedback for correct word articulation
- Fun graphical filters as rewards for successful learning
- Supports parent-child collaborative learning
Cons
- Some app links are broken or lead to incorrect locations
- Level-based activities less prominently featured
- Lacks a progress tracking feature for parental review
Price: Free with in-app purchases
Sago Mini First Words is available for the iPad and iPhone.
Otsimo is one of the best speech therapy apps to clearly explain what happens inside the mouth and throat during speech. This app uses voice and speech recognition technology and machine learning to provide precise speech activities that can improve children’s speaking skills.
Speech therapists create Otsimo games to develop the key building blocks to articulation; attention and concentration, hearing, process speech sounds and muscle coordination. It’s easy to use by speech-language pathologists and parents alike.
Features
- Voice-controlled and video modeling-based speech therapy
- Content library with exercises on pronunciation and articulation
- Comprehensive screening questionnaire and activity recommendations
- Seven activity areas with diverse vocalization exercises
- Advanced voice recognition software with progress tracking
Pros
- Engaging and fun interface, suitable for children with various speech difficulties
- Effective for both individual and small group sessions
- Intuitive use with immediate feedback through sound bar and face filters
- Developed with expert input from speech therapists and psychologists
- Cost-effective with flexible subscription options
Cons
- Requires continuous access to the device's microphone for functionality
- May need additional support from a child's Speech & Language Therapist for optimal use
Price: Free with in-app purchases
Otsimo is available for the iPad, iPhone and Android devices.
SPLINGO is an app aimed at younger children, helping them to learn more about the world around them by increasing their speech and language skills through targeting specific areas of language development.
The app has been developed and designed by speech and language therapists. There is a lot of content within the app, too, as it aims to support young children in several key different speech and language areas.
Features
- Targeted games for specific speech and language development areas
- Customizable learning options for individual user needs
- Incorporates assessment tools for tracking progress
- Developed by speech and language therapists
- Covers a wide range of speech and language skills, including pronouns and adjectives
Pros
- Effective balance between educational content and engaging gameplay
- Personalization features enhance learning experiences
- Assessment tools provide valuable insights into user progress
- Intuitive design suitable for younger children (ages 2-5)
- High-quality content designed by specialists in speech and language therapy
Cons
- Limited to younger age groups, primarily 2-5 years old
Price: Free with in-app purchases
Splingo is available for iPhone, iPad and Android devices.
Talk Tales, Simple Sounds is specifically designed by a speech therapist to support non-verbal or low-verbal children with childhood apraxia or autism spectrum disorder.
Talk Tales, Simple Sounds is designed to teach specific simple speech sounds. These include Level 1 - vowels and grunts, Level 2 - exclamations (some of the first sounds children say) Level 3 = simple animal sounds.
Features
- Designed for non-verbal or low-verbal children with apraxia or autism
- Three levels of difficulty for progression
- Interactive storybook and movie formats for repetition and engagement
- Child models and speech therapist videos for sound articulation
- Free downloadable colouring sheets for offline practice
Pros
- Effectively aids in acquiring specific speech sounds
- Simple, user-friendly interface suitable for children
- Encourages independent learning with interactive videos
- Useful for both parents and teachers for consistent speech practice
- One-off payment for full access without ads or additional purchases
Cons
- Limited long-term use after mastering the three levels
- Lacks additional interactive features or games for extended engagement
- May not be suitable for children beyond the initial learning stages of speech
Talk Tales, Simple Sounds is available for iPhone, iPad and Android devices.
Talkie Articulation is an app that has been developed for speech therapists and parents to use with younger children to help them learn and practice speech-sound production. The aim of the app is for young children to utilise the content, with an adult or speech therapist to guide them so that they are able to learn the correct sounds of phonemes.
Features
- Designed for speech sound production learning in young children
- Ability to build personalised word lists for game-based learning
- Includes bold and straightforward graphics for easy comprehension
- Games encourage listening, repeating, and self-recording for learning sounds
- Appropriate for professional and home use, with guidance for parents
Pros
- Highly customisable to meet individual children's needs
- Engaging gameplay keeps children interested in learning
- Easy-to-use interface once set up
- Designed by professionals in speech therapy
- Offers a free version to try with options for additional purchases
Cons
- Initial setup may be complex for parents without professional guidance
- Lacks a feature to record and track progress within the app
- No simple way to share personalised word lists between devices
- The full range of content requires paid access
Price: Free with in-app purchases
Devices: iPad, iPhone and Android
Articulation Station is one of the most comprehensive articulation apps designed for children to learn how to pronounce and practice their sounds more clearly. This app enables practice at letter, word and sentence level to improve pronunciation and phonological awareness. Each word has 60 target words and all together Articulation Station Pro has over 1,000 target words. The app offers toddlers a way to learn listening and language skills by playing fun games and activities.
Features
- Comprehensive articulation program with practice at word, sentence, and story levels
- 22 sound programs, each with 60 target words
- Flashcard and matching game modes for word level practice
- Rotating and unique sentence modes for sentence level activities
- Two levels of stories with picture prompts and comprehension questions
Pros
- Wide range of activities suitable for different learning stages
- High-quality images and audio reinforcement for easier learning
- Ability to track progress and record pronunciation
- Useful for both educational and therapeutic settings
- P sound program available for free, with option to purchase additional sounds
Cons
- Full Articulation Station Pro version is relatively expensive
- May require purchases within the app for comprehensive use
- Could be complex for users without background in speech therapy
Price: Free with in-app purchases
Devices: iPad and iPhone
Download Articulation Station
One of the best speech therapy apps available, Proloquo2Go is an Augmentative & Alternative Communication (AAC) speech app that can provide a voice for those with expressive and receptive language difficulties. From basic wants and needs to more complex sentences, Proloquo2go as a viable communication tool for children and adults with autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, apraxia, aphasia, or traumatic brain injury.
Features
- Voice output for tapped words and text-to-speech feature
- Three vocabulary levels: basic, intermediate, and advanced
- Customizable grid layouts and SymbolStix symbol system
- Consistent core word location for easy motor planning
- Social media, email, and messaging integration
Pros
- Comprehensive AAC tool for a wide range of communication needs
- Realistic accents in multiple languages for relatable voice output
- Customizable to individual user preferences and abilities
- Supports easy transition to expanded vocabulary
- Extensive support and community resources available
Cons
- High cost at $249.99 for iOS and $124.99 for Mac
- Requires internet connection for certain features
- May still necessitate expert advice for optimal use
- Not suitable for very young children (under 5 years)
Devices: iPad and iPhone
Download Proloquo2Go
Cuespeak is a new Speech and Language Therapy app for iOS devices featuring a suite of therapy exercises produced in the UK by a specialist in aphasia, a communication disability caused by stroke and other neurological disorders.
Cuespeak is designed for use both by clinicians and by people with aphasia. The exercises are suitable for adults with moderate-severe aphasia, including those diagnosed with apraxia of speech and those with associated cognitive problems.
Cuespeak can be used both with and without a therapist present. The ideal scenario is to start a session with a specialist speech and language therapist, who will configure the programme to the individual’s needs.
Features
- Designed for adults with moderate-severe aphasia
- Customizable exercises with spoken feedback and cues
- Over 10,000 images, 5,000 videos, and 30,000 spoken prompts
- Exercises cover a wide range of speech and language skills
- Remote management and update capabilities for therapists
Pros
- Highly adaptable to individual user needs
- Effective for both clinician-led and independent use
- Includes humour to engage users
- Supports extensive independent practice
- Offers a dynamic question-and-answer format for conversation emulation
Cons
- Some users find the app clunky and hard to navigate
- May appear overly simplistic or babyish to some users
- Initial setup might require professional assistance
- Designed primarily for UK users, with a focus on British English
Devices: iPad and iPhone
Download Cuespeak
InnerVoice Communication is a fantastic AAC application that is easy to use and contains features I have not seen in other speech therapy apps. I have been impressed with the Avatar, an excellent feature I have not seen in other speech therapy apps or VOCAs.
The app contains a library of faces that can speak the message, wants or needs through video. The videos can be shared through social media or as a message. You can even use the child’s photo as an avatar, brilliant!
Features
- Avatar feature for personalised communication
- Video messaging capability with social media sharing
- Simple tutorial for easy setup
- Three vocabulary options: Basic, Everyday, and Your Words
- Option to add buttons, folders, and GIFs for vocabulary expansion
Pros
- User-friendly interface, suitable for children with complex communication needs
- Personalized avatars enhance user engagement and motivation
- Effective for quick communication and teaching emotions
- Supports early research into autism, facial recognition, and avatars
- Backup and restore features for easy data management
Cons
- Limited voice options compared to other AAC apps
- Lacks specific symbols for learners with underdeveloped literacy skills
- Could be less comprehensive than other AAC options
- May require additional features in future updates for greater flexibility
Devices: iPad and iPhone
Download InnerVoice: Communication
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Speech Therapy?
Speech therapy is the assessment and treatment of problems with speech, communication, language, and swallowing. It focuses on receptive and expressive language, as well as the mechanics of speaking, such as articulation, pitch, fluency, and volume.
Speech therapists, or speech-language pathologists, provide services that focus on improving a patient’s ability to improve communication and understand and express language.
How much do Speech Therapy apps cost?
The cost of speech therapy apps varies depending on how comprehensive they are and the breadth and depth of their features. Basic apps can start at $3, while more advanced ones can cost up to $15 per month.
At what age should my child start speech therapy?
Speech therapy can start as early as necessary, often around 2-3 years old.
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