10 Best Communication Devices For Special Needs

People and children with special needs and learning disabilities often find it challenging to communicate with others, which could be related to their speech, language, and social behavior. Not being able to communicate and explain your feelings can lead to aggressive or inappropriate behavior. This is because they get frustrated by not being understood. 

Thankfully in today’s world, several communication devices and applications are designed to help people with special needs and learning disabilities communicate and express their needs. Keep reading the article to learn more about these communication devices and applications.

• Big Talk Assistive Technology Communicator

This device has a big, vibrant button that the user can press to activate. A single message can be kept for up to 20 seconds. Also, the device can be used as a switch to activate other devices thanks to an external capability switch. 

People with special needs like it as it is easy to use. It retails for about $215.

• GoTalk Express 32 – Advanced Communication Aid

This laptop device has a grid of pictures that users can combine to create sentences. It has two operating modes: standard and express. When the standard mode is used, the user needs to press a message key to hear the word said by the device. The user can use several message keys to compose a sentence when the express mode is selected.

A shoulder strap, a rigid design with a carrying handle, and LED lights for visual cues are some of the other features of this device. It is an excellent device as it allows people who cannot read or write to press several pictures to make a sentence. It retails for $570.

• Flash to Pass

It is an app designed to practice math skills. It’s a very flexible tool for kids of different levels, thanks to selecting one of the predefined difficulty levels and a timer. While some may consider the design dull and not too engaging for younger kids, in our opinion, it may be suitable for people with special needs because it is free of distractions and extra sensory inputs. It works on an IOS  system.

• My Play Home

It is an app developed to develop the social interaction and communication skills of people with special needs. It’s a digital dollhouse where children with special needs can operate all the options, including light switches, taps, and stoves. Children of all ages find exploring their surroundings and developing their learning and communication skills through this to be incredibly engaging.   

Through the social settings offered in the app, kids can learn reciprocal interactions that they may later apply to real-life situations.

Another great option of this application is its compatibility with the IOS and Android systems.

• Learn with Rufus

This application tries to help with facial expression detection, frequently presenting a challenge for people with special needs and limiting their ability to communicate socially. Rufus, a cute, animated, robotic puppy, provides a range of emotions and training exercises for understanding them. You can monitor your patient’s development and gradually expand their emotions and level of communication with other people. This application works on android, iOS, and kindle fire.

• Stories2Learn

This application teaches people with special needs about non-verbal communication, social skills, etc. You can create any story on the app and show it to people with special needs to teach them about anything you want. This application also allows you to record your voice and add pictures of your choice to communicate better. It is also an excellent application for creating visual schedules. It works on an Android system.

• Pocket Go-Talk 5-Level Communication Device

This device is pocket-friendly so that you can take it anywhere with you. It is easy to carry and strong enough to take any fall or bump. It comes with a string so it can be worn around the neck. The microphone attached to it is significant to help others hear it, even if the person is in a  loud, crowded area. It retails for about $190. 

There are six buttons on the device, with five options for messages on each button. This makes it easy for children with autism to use.

Insert the preferred photo overlays at the device’s front position, then record the desired word or message. Additionally, the user can attach photos of themselves, which might add some motivation.

• Gooshy Step Talk Communicator

There are several pre-recorded messages included with this device.   For the first message, the user presses the communicator twice for the second message, etc. The device can be made to perform several activities, including multiplication, memorization, directions, etc., depending on the recorded messages.

Motivating features of this device include its vibrant design, lights, vibration, and music. Its price is about $250.

• Pumpic

It is an excellent monitoring application for people with special needs because if due to any reason they get lost, their inability to communicate correctly with strangers to ask for help or direction can be difficult. And if they get engaged with other people, it may be objectionable in the eyes of the law, so it is essential to keep track of them. This tool comes with a GPS tracking option to monitor and help locate someone with special needs. 

It also helps to monitor if they are being bullied, are into risky behaviors, or do other disturbing actions. It works on iOS and Android systems.

• Grace

This is a communication tool for non-verbal people with special needs. It helps them to communicate better by developing their language and verbal skills. In the app, they can create digital words and sentences to help them communicate their needs.

It works both on iOS, and Android systems, so it is readily available to be used by anyone.

Conclusion

People and children with special needs find it very hard to communicate their wants and needs with other people. This can lead them to become more frustrated and angry as they are not able to express themselves. Luckily, many helpful communication devices and apps are available today to help these people learn social and interactive skills by developing communication and verbal skills.