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ChatterBoards AAC app

An easy to use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) aid for people of any age who have speech or language difficulties.

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ChatterBoards AAC app	By Paul Popiel
	Features Vocabulary boards. Phrase boards. Customisable buttons. Library of symbols.
Clinical review	Read a clinical review below.
Security and privacy	Does the app: Collect medical information? No Require a login? No Have password protection? No Require internet access to use? No Read more about safety and security when using apps. Brochures: Tips to improve your privacy and security [PDF, 65 KB] Healthify He Puna Waiora, NZ Staying safe online(external link) Netsafe, NZ
Cost	Free
Advertisements	This app contains no ads.
How to get the app	(external link) (external link)

The Chatterboards AAC app has been designed for people who might benefit from alternative and augmentative technology to help them communicate. The app includes:

4 preset symbol-based communication boards:
- I am feeling …
- I want to…
- core vocabulary sample
- yes / no response.
The app also has the ability to make personalised communication boards within the app using a symbol catalogue or using the device camera/photo library to import images.
The app has inbuilt voices to choose from, or individual tiles can be recorded with a saved message.

This app will be most useful for those starting out in AAC wanting an easy to access system before moving to a robust system if it's required. This isn't an AAC app with a robust vocabulary system and will therefore not be suitable for long-term AAC use.

For the complete app description, go to the app website(external link), App Store(external link) or, for a more detailed review, see reviews below.

PROS	CONS
✔ Quick access to 4 preset symbol-based communication boards that can be used as a starter to a personalised communication system. ✔ Ability to create own simple communication boards, folders and tiles using either the inbuilt symbol library or imported from camera/photo library. ✔ Ability to record own messages on tiles.	✘ Doesn't contain a robust (full featured) vocabulary set – only has an initial core vocabulary board which the user needs to personalise and create relevant vocabulary for. ✘ Creating communication boards can be time consuming. ✘ Keyboard doesn't contain word prediction.

PROS

CONS

✔ Quick access to 4 preset symbol-based communication boards that can be used as a starter to a personalised communication system.

✔ Ability to create own simple communication boards, folders and tiles using either the inbuilt symbol library or imported from camera/photo library.

✔ Ability to record own messages on tiles.

✘ Doesn't contain a robust (full featured) vocabulary set – only has an initial core vocabulary board which the user needs to personalise and create relevant vocabulary for.

✘ Creating communication boards can be time consuming.

✘ Keyboard doesn't contain word prediction.

Clinical review

Reviewer: Lauren Hill, Speech Language Therapist, Auckland
Date of review: April 2024
Platform: Apple
Version: 2.5.0
Comments: Chatterboards AAC may be a good initial AAC application for those waiting for an assessment. The preset communication boards are easy to use. It's easy to make folders for categories of relevant vocabulary for a user, however this is time consuming. The app would be best used to meet an immediate need while waiting for a speech language therapy AAC assessment as it's not a full featured robust communication system.
Safety concerns: None.
New Zealand relevance: Yes – it contains basic English language core vocabulary that is relevant to the New Zealand context. However it doesn't contain New Zealand specific vocabulary.
Concerns: None.

Consumer guide – how to choose a health app
Clinicians guide – how to choose a health app
Communication and language apps
New Zealand-based apps
NZ Health App Library

Disclaimer: The NZ Health App Library is a free consumer service to help you decide whether a health app would be suitable for you. Our review process is independent. We have no relationship with the app developers or companies and no responsibility for the service they provide. This means that if you have an issue with one of the apps we have reviewed, you will need to contact the app developer or company directly.