Everyday communication aids: phones

Did you know your smartphone is packed with amazing tools to boost communication? Whether you’re an AAC user, need help during communication breakdowns, or are just a busy parent (🙋🏼‍♀️), these features can make a huge difference! Here are some of our Speech Pathologist’s favourite tools she uses daily to support communication:

🔊 Voice Control/ Voice-To-Text: Perfect for those with limited mobility or busy hands. Voice control opens apps, send messages, write emails, check the weather, summarise key information and more.

🗣️ Text-To-Speech: Simply type what you want to say, and the phone will speak it aloud for you. This can be used for long-term AAC User or as a short-term compensatory strategy e.g. at times of communication breakdowns or when having vocal rest.

👂 Live Listen: Live Listen turns your iPhone into a remote microphone that sends sound to your earphones, to hear conversations more clearly in noisy environments. This is commonly used by the Deaf or Hard of Hearing Community. It can also be used to reduce sensory overload and background distractions, making communication more comfortable.

🔗 Shortcuts as Social Scripts: Create custom shortcuts for frequently used phrases and responses. This is helpful if you get stuck on how to start and/or formulate a can even use Emojis for your shortcut e.g.

☕= ‘can you grab me a cappuccino with 1 sugar please’.

🖼️ Visual Aids: Use the camera to capture and describe objects, texts, and scenes. These can help prompt storytelling and conversation with communication partners.

What other smartphone tools do you use to help support communication? Let us know below 👇