Speech therapy is important for children and adults. It helps them learn to speak more clearly, and it can be used to treat speech impediments. Speech therapists work with their clients to improve their speech patterns and communication skills.
In this article, we’ll list the best apps for speech therapy. These apps can help you improve your pronunciation, intonation, and volume. They can also help you learn or relearn how to speak after a stroke or injury.
We’ve selected these apps based on their usability, customer reviews, and number of downloads from the Google Play Store or iTunes App Store as of January 2019:
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Best Apps For Speech Therapy
Why We Chose It: Multiple activities designed to help kids practice words, sentences, and comprehension will help your child boost their speech skills in no time.
PROS
Stories and sounds at different levels
Special S, L, and R sound programs
Voice recording for playback
Data tracking and progress notes
CONS
Only one letter is included for free
All other letters require individual purchase
Doesn’t work well for use in groups
Articulation Station from Little Bee Speech is one of the most comprehensive articulation apps designed for children to learn how to pronounce and practice different sounds. The program allows users to practice at the word, sentence, and story level in 22 sounds that target the initial, medial, and final positions of words. Most of the sounds have 60 target words.
Users can choose from these six different practice activities:
Flashcards: Practice sounds with over 1,200+ pictures.
Level 1 stories: Short and silly rhymes that come with picture prompts and comprehension questions.
Level 2 stories: Short and creative stories with comprehension questions.
Matching game: Match like items while practicing the sounds.
Rotating sentences: Practice target sounds with rotating words in a fixed sentence.
Unique sentences: Practice each target word and sounds in a new sentence.
As a bonus, you can tailor the experience to your child’s needs by creating your own flashcards with custom images. Articulation Station is free, and it’s available on your iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch. For a more comprehensive program, you can upgrade to Articulation Station Pro.
BEST FOR TODDLERS
Splingo
Splingo
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Why We Chose It: By starting at level one and working their way up to level four, your toddler can build a foundational understanding of language that will last a lifetime.
PROS
Kid-friendly outer space theme
Levels increase in difficulty as your child ages
Enhances listening skills as well as language skills
CONS
Not very customizable
Some users complain of frequent issues with sound
The Splingo app from the Speech and Language Store offers children a way to learn listening and language skills by playing a fun, interactive game with aliens and spaceships. The app was designed by speech and language therapists to focus on nouns, verbs, prepositions, and adjectives. It comes with a range of age possibilities, including early language development to a much more complex level of combining several aspects of language at once.
In order to customize the app to each level, Splingo breaks the content down further into four groups.
Level 1: Uses one main word. Appropriate for 18 months and older.
Level 2: Uses two main words. For kids with a developmental level of two to three-years-old.
Level 3: Uses three main words. For kids with a developmental level of three to four-years-old.
Level 4: Uses four main words. For kids with a developmental level of four-years-old and older.
The Splingo app costs $2.99, and it is available for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. It does require iOS 8.0 or later.
BEST FOR ELEMENTARY
Speech Tutor
Speech Tutor
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Why We Chose It: Animated movies with adjustable speeds let you visualize how sounds are created in the mouth and throat, making even the most challenging sounds easier to overcome.
PROS
Professional-grade articulation practice
2D videos let you see inside the mouth as sounds are made
Can be used for kids and adults
CONS
Not all features are available for initial price
Could be frustrating to use if you aren’t a speech pathologist
Speech Tutor from Synapse Apps uses 2-D animated movies that allow you to see a side view and front view inside the head. These views give you the opportunity to see each sound production without the tongue getting in the way. In other words, you can actually see inside the mouth to watch sounds being made. This helps you understand exactly how to place your tongue or move your throat to make a specific sound—something you can’t do on your own.
With 132 animations available, this comprehensive app gives will prompt you to select a sound, watch how it is made, and then practice making the sound. It also comes with tips from licensed speech and language pathologists (SLP’s).
Additionally, you can play the movies at three speeds including, slow, medium, and fast. Plus, as you practice target sounds, the app will record you, then play it before and after a correctly modeled production.
Speech Tutor app costs $19.99 and it is available for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. It does require iOS 8.0 or later. If you’re looking for something more advanced or you’re a speech therapist, consider upgrading to the Speech Tutor Pro. This extensive app costs $49.99, but you also get two screens, an SLP-friendly screen, and a parent-friendly screen.
BEST FOR ADULTS
Conversation Therapy
Conversation Therapy
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Why We Chose It: “Speech therapy” encompasses more than simply making letter sounds; it also means learning how to effectively communicate in conversation. This app boosts skills so adults with disabilities, injuries, or delays can learn the nuances of conversational give-and-take.
PROS
Pictures paired with questions increase situational learning
User-determined goals
Multi-pronged approach to conversation, including fluency and cognition
CONS
Trial period is too short to assess whether it’s right for you
Some content may not be appropriate for kids
The Conversation Therapy app from Tactus Therapy was designed to spark conversation between people, including small and large groups. The app is an excellent addition for anyone who has difficulty expressing themselves clearly, including stroke survivors, those living with Autism and Asperger’s, and anyone with speech or language impairment, Alzheimer’s, dementia, or traumatic brain injury.
To use the app at home, start by choosing from one of the 12 categories of interest such as health, current events, or hobbies. When the picture is displayed on the screen, you can touch any of the 10 buttons to see a question ranging from simple sentence starters to more complex questions that require advanced answers.
The app includes over 300 pictures with 10 questions for each photo, which means combined with the 12 categories you have over 3,000 question prompts to choose from when looking for conversation starters. And it features 10 languages including English, Dutch, Filipino, Finnish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, Zulu. Conversation Therapy costs $24.99, and it requires iOS 9.0 or later. The app is compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.
BEST FOR STROKE PATIENTS
Naming Therapy
Naming Therapy
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Why We Chose It: The flashcards and practice drills in this app can help stroke patients recover their ability to match names to everyday people, places, and things.
PROS
Improves user’s ability to retrieve the correct word
Quizzes, tests, and flashcards practice
You can upload your own photos to practice your real-life challenges
CONS
Interface could be confusing for stroke patients to use without assistance
Limited diversity in app models
Naming Therapy from Tactus Therapy aims to tackle one of the most challenging tasks a stroke victim has to contend with: anomia or being able to recall names of people and words for everyday objects.
Naming Therapy comes with four parts to help you practice recall skills:
Describe: Learn how to describe an item to someone else by answer questions.
Flashcards: 700+ pictures you can flip through and practice saying. Touch the picture, and the name will be read aloud.
Naming Practice: Practice naming 400+ pictures on your own. If you don’t get it right away, use one of the cues to help you find the name.
Naming Test: Take a screening test to see how many pictures you can name.
If you’re ready to move from the standard program, Tactus Therapy also offers an Advanced Naming Therapy app, which is the sequel to the Naming Therapy App. This is an excellent option for people with more mild language problems. It’s also a great tool to use when you leave speech therapy. Like the original Naming Therapy app, the price of the Advanced Naming Therapy is $24.99 and is available for iPad, iPad mini, iPhone, iPod touch, and Android tablets/phones.
BEST FOR AUTISM
LAMP Words for Life
LAMP Words for Life
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Why We Chose It: Utilizing symbols for autistic children who struggle with verbal communication, LAMP Words for Life focuses on developing the common patterns of speech and conversation.
PROS
Works for multiple levels of communicators, from beginning to advanced
3,000+ vocabulary words
Text-to-speech feature for non-verbal users
CONS
Minimal instruction makes it hard to use or program the app for your needs
No mobile device features
May be cost-prohibitive for some users
LAMP Words for Life app from Prentke Romich Company is designed specifically for children with autism to be used with Language Acquisition through Motor Planning (LAMP). According to the website, LAMP Words for Life provides a consistent motor pattern for words and a systematic way to develop communication skills allowing for unlimited language growth opportunities.
There are three levels of vocabulary within the app that support language development from any skill level including introductory, which has 83 words, transition, and full vocabulary that gives you access to over 3,000 words.
The symbols-based approach makes this app appropriate for beginning communicators, as well as older children with Autism that have advanced language skills. Every picture symbol on the front page represents a verb, noun, adjective, and category.
LAMP Words for Life costs $299.99 and it’s available for use with an iPad, iOS 11 or later. While the app is significantly more expensive than many other apps, the ratings among users are the highest in this category and you can expect to use LAMP Words for Life for several years.
BEST FOR NON-COMMUNICATORS
Proloquo2Go
Proloquo2Go
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Why We Chose It: Realistic text-to-speech makes it possible for non-verbal patients to communicate again—and, when possible, rebuild their own verbal communication skills.
PROS
Helps users communicate non-verbally and improve skills
100+ natural text-to-speech voices, including children’s and bilingual
Organization features make it easy to access and track progress
CONS
Overly complex interface
Many kids may not be able to use it without assistance
May be cost-prohibitive for some users
Proloquo2Go app from AssistiveWare uses Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) to help people who are unable to speak, develop communication and language skills. The app is appropriate for all levels and you can customize it for a range of visual and fine-motor skills. You can also adapt it to fit your vocabulary and accessibility needs which makes Proloquo2Go an excellent choice for people with cerebral palsy, developmental disabilities, a traumatic brain injury, ALS, or have suffered a stroke.
Users are able to select a real recorded voice that speaks for them when using the symbols. Both children and adults can choose from 100 natural-sounding text-to-speech voices. For people who can learn to speak again, Proloquo2Go allows them to continue communicating as they work through speech therapy or rehab to build skills.
Proloquo2Go costs $249.99, and it’s available for iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, and Apple Watch.
BEST FOR APRAXIA
Apraxia Therapy
Apraxia Therapy
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Why We Chose It: This app combines audio, visual, and tactical approaches to help patients with apraxia strengthen their communication skills.
PROS
Multi-sensory approach including tactile and audio learning
Choose-your-own phrases to practice based on what you need most
Record yourself for playback and correction
CONS
Not as customizable as other apps
May not be as helpful for mildly impaired users
Apraxia Therapy from Tactus Therapy is a comprehensive app designed to help people with apraxia, a speech disorder, overcome their ability to say what they want correctly and consistently.
The app uses VSAT, or Video-Assisted Speech Therapy, to help users repeat what they hear and see by watching the model’s mouth movements on the video. As you listen, the app encourages you to tap along in rhythm, and also speak in unison, which gives you a tactile and verbal experience. When the audio begins to fade, you will be prompted to continue repeating what you see by continuing with the video.
The Apraxia Therapy app allows you to work at three different speeds, so you can tailor the program for your needs. It also features conversational phrases that you might use on a daily basis. Additionally, the app records your voice as you speak along with the video. You can then go back and listen to the recording to see how you are progressing.
Apraxia Therapy costs $24.99, and it’s available on your iPad, iPad mini, iPhone, iPod touch, Android tablets, and Android phones.
best speech therapy apps for toddlers
If you are a Speech Language Pathologist who works with children (or you’re a parent), you may be wondering about the best speech therapy apps for kids.
According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), approximately 80% of children between the ages of three and 17 have a disorder related to:
Speech
Voice
Language
Swallowing
Fortunately, more than half of these children receive intervention services that are intended to help them learn to communicate more effectively. Speech therapy has aided countless children who previously suffered from a variety of conditions.
Best Speech Therapy Apps for Toddler and ChildrenBONUS: Get the Guide for Best Speech Therapy Apps Today!
Download Our Guide for Toddlers and Children to Help With Their Speech!
Speech therapy can be prescribed for a wide range of disorders.
For example, one in 600 children in the U.S. is born with a cleft palate. The majority receive corrective surgery. However, because this changes the shape of the mouth and face, these children have to learn to make specific sounds all over again.
Similarly, 5% of kids go through a period of stuttering that lasts half a year or longer. Regardless of the cause, the anxiety that often arises from the condition only makes it worse.
In addition, children who are born with autism and are verbal often don’t learn conversational speech by themselves. Instead, they use their own “language,” which, while often making sense to them and their parents or caregivers, is difficult for others to understand.
In all of these situations, speech therapy can be a highly effective treatment to help these children communicate. This, in turn, improves their confidence and social skills.
Focusing on providing children with the language tools they need greatly increases their chances of living a normal, happy life.
Technology and Speech Therapy Apps
Over the past years, apps for computers, tablets, and smartphones have proven to be effective tools in speech therapy for children.
While there are no hard statistics available, Speech Therapists report that many children enjoy working with apps.
This facilitates the learning process.
Another significant benefit of apps is that they’re affordable and offer an easily accessible way for children to practice at home.
Considering the fact that the frequency of practice and the quality of the guidance is critical to progress, apps have the potential to greatly increase and speed up children’s development. For parents who do not have the budget or time to bring their children to a Speech Language Therapist every day, utilizing the best apps for speech therapy provides a distinct advantage.
In those crucial younger years, setting aside fifteen to thirty minutes a day to engage with some of the best speech therapy apps for toddlers will help immensely with their growth. Consider how the apps feel like playtime, and try incorporating them into your normal play schedule.
What’s more, practicing in the safety of their own home with only their family or caregivers around them can make children feel more at ease. Factors such as a comfortable place and being surrounded by people they know will contribute to better performance.
Since there are so many apps out there, it can be confusing to know which ones are effective and which aren’t. That’s why we have selected the best speech therapy apps with kids in mind.
SEE ALSO: Top 20 Useful Physical Therapy Apps for Patients to Try
Best Apps for Speech Therapy: Articulation
Children whose speech is impaired due to a physical issue—such as a cleft palate or problems with the jaw—can benefit from apps that help them practice articulation.
Speech Tutor | 9 Best Speech Therapy Apps with Kids in Mind1. Speech Tutor
How often have you felt the frustration of not being able to show patients the inside of the mouth so they could see precisely how to place the tongue or move the throat to make a specific sound?
Speech Tutor is one of the best speech therapy apps to give a clear overview of what happens inside the mouth and throat during speech.
It offers 132 animations depicting both a front view and a side view of the mouth so children have an accurate, visible example of how to create sounds.
Speech Tutor app is available for the iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch and costs $9.99.
Articulation Station Pro | 9 Best Speech Therapy Apps with Kids in Mind2. Articulation Station Pro
This app is a comprehensive tool for children with speech sound delays.
It offers exercises to practice 22 sounds at both the word and sentence levels, as well as the longer story level.
It includes six activities:
flashcards
matching
rotating sentences
unique sentences
level 1 stories
level 2 stories
With colorful photos and a suite of tools including voice recording for auditory feedback, scoring, and data tracking, it’s easy to use by speech-language pathologists and parents alike.
Articulation Station Pro is available for the iPhone and iPad and costs $59.99.
Tallytots | 9 Best Speech Therapy Apps with Kids in Mind3. TallyTots
One of the best speech therapy apps for toddlers who need help with verbs, two-word combinations, counting, and concepts.
Described as action-packed, this is one of the engaging speech therapy apps for iPad users. It includes 20 awesome mini-games that help kids have fun with numbers.
This app features:
20 puzzles and mini-games that teach quantity, order, and sorting.
An awesome sing-along counting song.
An assisted counting guide that helps toddlers count all the way to 100.
The TallyTots app is $2.99, requires iOS 8.0 or later, and is compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.
Talking Pierre the Parrot |4. Talking Pierre the Parrot
Talking Pierre the Parrot is a virtual pet who repeats everything your child says in a funny voice. Although this isn’t a dedicated speech therapy app, it’s a great way to motivate your child to articulate correctly so Pierre sounds good!
This app is lots of fun for kids because it is less structured. Consider using this app as positive reinforcement after more intense sessions.
Talking Pierre the Parrot is free, requires iOS 7.0 or later and is compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.
Best Apps for Speech Therapy: Stuttering
Stuttering or stammering is a relatively common speech impediment in children. Fortunately, most are able to overcome their condition—only one percent of children are permanently affected.
Fluency SIS | 9 Best Speech Therapy Apps with Kids in Mind
- Fluency SIS
Intended for school-age children who stutter, SIS (Smart Intervention Strategy) reshapes the approach to stuttering modification.
Its goal is to help the child become an effective and confident communicator by desensitizing him or her to feared stimuli, thereby reducing anxiety.
Using creativity and humor, it teaches the child how to maintain a positive perception of him or herself.
The award-winning Fluency SIS app is available for the iPad and costs $10.99.
Fluency Tracker | 9 Best Speech Therapy Apps with Kids in Mind6. Fluency Tracker
One of the best speech therapy apps for the parents of children who stutter and aims to increase children’s positive feelings about speech, as well as reduce avoidance behavior.
Users can enter data regarding how often the child stutters throughout the day, when and where this occurs, and with whom the child was speaking. They can also record when and why the child avoided speaking.
This data is processed to provide an ongoing overview of a child’s anxiety and attitudes toward speaking so that the speech therapist can better customize his or her therapy.
Fluency Tracker is available for $9.99 for the iPhone.
Speech Therapy Apps for Autism Spectrum Disorders
Children with autism spectrum disorders can experience difficulty learning language and acquiring basic conversational skills. The following apps can help.
Keyword Understanding | 9 Best Speech Therapy Apps with Kids in Mind7. Keyword Understanding
Aimed at enhancing comprehension in children with autism and special needs, this is one of the best apps for speech therapy with exercises to practice auditory and written instructions.
It has three modes:
auditory only
text only
auditory and text
With an easy to use interface, colorful photos, and 3D objects, users can create thousands of “tasks” for the patient to perform.
For example, you can create the task, “Touch the flower,” and follow it up with, “Touch the vase.”
Eventually, when the child has mastered simple task comprehension, you can create the more complex task, “Touch the flower and then touch the vase.”
Keyword Understanding is available for the iPad and costs $9.99.
Let’s Be Social | 9 Best Speech Therapy Apps with Kids in Mind8. Let’s Be Social
This speech therapy app provides exercises to practice pragmatic language or social skills.
There are 40 lessons that are divided into five skill sets:
personal interactions
navigating the community
school behavior
handling change
social relationships
Lessons depict “normal” interactions and teach the patient what the expected emotions and behaviors are in that interaction. This is shown through a video with thought bubbles to reinforce learning.
Users can also create their own lessons thanks to the intuitive interface.
Let’s Be Social is available for the iPad and costs $9.99.
iSequence | 9 Best Speech Therapy Apps with Kids in Mind
- iSequence
In combination with applied behavior therapy, iSequences is an educational app for children with Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome that enables them to practice 100 different sequences of everyday situations, such as:
Autonomous habits like brushing their teeth, washing their hands, getting dressed or going to bed
Fun activities like going to the beach, to the movies or do sports
Everyday situations like falling down, taking the bus, going the doctor, buying bread or getting wet in the rain
Emotions like happiness, sadness, surprise or fear
Talking along with the lead character in the app provide opportunities to practice speech.
The iSequence app is $3.99, requires iOS 8.0 or later and is compatible with iPad.
Of course, there are many more useful apps for a wide variety of speech disorders. Some will be more suited to younger children, while others are specifically for teens and young adults.
Conclusion
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