The Best Apps To Have When You Go Nonverbal

If you ever go nonverbal, it can be a serious concern. Forcing yourself to speak is no good but you can't go without communication. Fortunately,AAC (augmentative and alternative communication) apps can help you be heard even when using your voice is out of the question. Whether you prefer typing, tapping symbols, or handwriting your thoughts, these apps offer ways to navigate conversations without having to speak.

Try One of These Great AAC Apps

It's important to have an alternative method of communication available if you're someone who goes nonverbal. That's why we've curated this list of the best AAC apps to have on hand for nonverbal episodes.

Spoken - Tap to Talk AAC

Spoken AAC, seen on both a smartphone and tablet. One device's screen shows a voice selection while the other shows word predictions.

Availability: Android, iOS, and Mac
Price: Free (with optional premium upgrade for $12.99/month, $99.99/year, or $249.99 for life)

Spoken is a top-rated AAC app designed for nonspeaking or semispeaking autistic adults and teenagers. Unlike most AAC apps, it does not rely on grids or folders of preset vocabulary words. Instead, it learns how you communicate and suggests words based on your unique speech patterns. The fact that you can use almost any word makes it ideal for those who are used to verbal communication.

If predictive text isn't your preference, Spoken also has options to type, draw, or handwrite messages. The app can take any of these inputs and convert what you said into speech, using a natural-sounding, customizable voice of your choosing.

Proloquo2Go

Price: $249.99 with additional in-app purchases
Availability: iOS

Proloquo2Go is one of the most well-known AAC apps and is a common choice among autistic AAC users. It features a traditional, symbol-based communication system with text-to-speech output. The app can be adjusted to match different skill levels, making it useful for users of all ages. It also supports multiple languages (English, Spanish, French, and Dutch) and can even be used for bilingual communication.

If you're looking for a traditional AAC app, Proloquo2Go is a good choice. It's extremely customizable with a robust vocabulary compared to other apps based on communication boards.

Speak For Yourself

Price: $299.99 with additional in-app purchases
Availability: iOS

Speak for Yourself ways designed by speech-language pathologists using a research-backed approach. It's ideal for younger users, as it follows motor learning principles and expands vocabulary as communication skills grow. However, anyone who goes nonverbal can benefit from its design, as every available word is accessible within two taps, making sentence construction quick and efficient.

Leeloo AAC

Leeloo AAC for tablet, advertised as an AAC app for kids with autism.

Price: Free (with optional premium upgrade for $6.99/month, $59.99/year, or $99.99 for life)
Availability: Android and iOS

Leeloo is designed for young nonverbal communicators. It's perfect for children because it's an engaging and easy-to-use app with fun illustrations and a simple layout. The ability to create multiple profiles allows for safer experimentation if you want to explore different settings. The app also supports multiple languages, and its basic communication features are free.

Leeloo was recently removed from the Play Store for unknown reasons, but Android users can still get it by downloading the APK on the developer's website, linked above.

Otsimo AAC

Price: $5.49/month or $35.99/year
Availability: Android and iOS

Otsimo is known for creating apps specifically for autistic users. Their AAC offering is a great choice for children and beginner AAC users who need communication assistance during nonverbal episodes. It offers a simple interface and plenty of customization options, allowing users to edit folders, cards, and layouts. If you or a loved one goes nonverbal and needs an app with an easy-to-use interface and adaptable features, Otsimo is worth considering.

Bottom Line

Don't go without an alternative when you're nonverbal. AAC apps like Spoken, Proloquo2Go, Speak For Yourself, and the others on this list are great tools that can help you communicate in a pinch.