Ask HN: Best iOS apps for speechless child?

I am the father of a speechless son, 9yo, he was diagnosed autism several years ago.

He can communicate with pictograms, showing "I want ice cream" or "I want to drive a bicycle".

I imagine that there should be a simple application, where a child constructs a sentence and then presses the "play" button, and the application pronounces it. I think that this will help a speechless child to learn literacy.

Had anyone ever came across such app?

4 points | by levleontiev 1418 days ago

1 comments

  • mjmasn 1418 days ago
    There are plenty of apps that can do pictograms to speech - I think the term you want to search for is "aac apps" (Augmentative and Alternative Communication). I'll see if my partner (an adult speech therapist) has any recommendations and get back to you.
    [-]
    • mjmasn 1418 days ago
      Here's two recommendations, neither are cheap I'm afraid:

      * https://thinksmartbox.com/product/grid-for-ipad/ (there's grid player as well which is free but I think requires purchasing a desktop app)

      * https://www.assistiveware.com/products/proloquo2go

      Depending on your country / financial situation / medical insurance you may be able to get help with these. In the UK the NHS should provide a suitable solution. Either way if at all possible speak to a qualified speech therapist and they'll be able to help with your specific situation.

      [-]
      • levleontiev 1418 days ago
        Thanks!

        I am probably not clear enough: he already uses some kind of this app, thank god it's covered by medical insurance in our country.

        What I am searching for is something with chars to teach him literacy. I want him to type "I-C-E-C-R-E-A-M" instead of choosing "icecream" pictogram and make ipad pronounce it.