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SmallTalk Dysphagia app

An app for people with both speech and swallowing problems to help them communicate with their carer.
It has a library of pictures and icons and a natural human voice over to help communication at meal times.

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SmallTalk Dysphagia app	By Lingraphica
	Features A vocabulary of pictures and icons that talk in a natural human voice. Demonstration videos. Ability to remove strategy cards and videos from the library semi-personalising it to each user.
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 Have a privacy policy? Yes Require internet access to use? No Read more about safety and security when using apps. Brochures: Tips to improve your privacy and security [PNG, 200 KB] Health Navigator Charitable Trust, NZ Staying safe online(external link) Netsafe, NZ
Cost	Free
Advertisements	This app contains no ads.
How to get the app	(external link)

This app has a library of pictures and icons that have a natural human voice over. It's aimed at people with both speech and swallowing problems, to help them communicate with their carer. The pictures and icons are of phrases that relate to swallowing such as "I need chin support", "I need a special cup", etc. The icons are arranged in order from the start to the end of a meal. The app has 4 videos demonstrating more complex concepts.

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

PROS	CONS
✔ Developed by speech language therapists. ✔ Choose a female or male voice. ✔ 50 “cards” to describe meal assistance, equipment, dietary modification, how to take medications, and swallow techniques. ✔ Each phrase includes a picture, text and audio. ✔ Four videos for compensatory swallow techniques (techniques helpful with certain types of dysphagia). ✔ Able to edit and remove icons/phrases and videos so that relevant strategies are shown in the app library.	✘ Last updated 3 years ago. ✘ The preview text is cut off in the selection menu for most cards. This may cause difficulty in choosing the correct phrase. For example there are 2 cards that are labelled “I take my medication…”. ✘ The app refers to altered food textures and drink consistencies that are not in line with the current IDDSI (International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative) framework. ✘ There is no reference to a free water protocol or timing of fluid with food (eg, waiting 30 minutes after eating for a drink). ✘ No ability to edit the phrases on the cards.

PROS

CONS

✔ Developed by speech language therapists.

✔ Choose a female or male voice.

✔ 50 “cards” to describe meal assistance, equipment, dietary modification, how to take medications, and swallow techniques.

✔ Each phrase includes a picture, text and audio.

✔ Four videos for compensatory swallow techniques (techniques helpful with certain types of dysphagia).

✔ Able to edit and remove icons/phrases and videos so that relevant strategies are shown in the app library.

✘ Last updated 3 years ago.

✘ The preview text is cut off in the selection menu for most cards. This may cause difficulty in choosing the correct phrase. For example there are 2 cards that are labelled “I take my medication…”.

✘ The app refers to altered food textures and drink consistencies that are not in line with the current IDDSI (International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative) framework.

✘ There is no reference to a free water protocol or timing of fluid with food (eg, waiting 30 minutes after eating for a drink).

✘ No ability to edit the phrases on the cards.

Clinical review

Reviewer: Lauren Hill, Speech Language Therapist, Auckland
Date of review: June 2024
Platform: Apple
Version: 4.7
Comments: The app is easy to set up and use. It has a comprehensive library of cards with images and phrases showing common dysphagia strategies and supports and video demonstrations of 4 swallow techniques. It's possible to semi-personalise the app for each user by removing strategies or videos which are not relevant. It may be a useful tool for people with communication and swallowing difficulties to communicate with their carers around their mealtime needs.
Safety concerns: None.
New Zealand relevance: Yes, however the voice and pronunciation used are American.

Clinical review

Reviewer: Jeremy Steinberg, GP, FRNZCGP
Date of review: July 2019
Platform: Apple
Version: 3.4
Comments: This is an audio-visual communication tool for people with both speech and swallowing problems. Some people with dysphagia (swallowing difficulties) also have dysarthria (problems with speech) and this tool could help them communicate with their carer(s) on issues related to swallowing.
Safety concerns: None.
New Zealand relevance: Relevant.

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Clinicians guide – how to choose a health app
NZ health app library
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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.

Credits: Healthify editorial team. Healthify is brought to you by Health Navigator Charitable Trust.

SmallTalk Dysphagia app