Losing the ability to clearly express yourself when you have aphasia can be really difficult and devastating for yourself, and for your loved ones.

Your phone or tablet contains many tools and apps that can help a person with aphasia to communicate and express ideas and thoughts.

This page shows you videos on how some of these apps and tools work.

• ▮ Making reading easier
• ▮ Making writing easier
• ▮ Apps to enhance communication
• ▮ Cognitive and compensatory apps

A) Making Reading Easier.

Text to Speech
When a person with aphasia is better able to write than speak, a text-to-speech app can help. Enter the text, and the app will speak it aloud for you.

Reader view
Advertisements and images can make it harder for a person with aphasia to read an article.

The Reader view-feature on your device removes distracting elements from the page, making it easier to read for someone with aphasia.

B) Making writing easier

Dictation
When a person with aphasia has some verbal speech, but has difficulty writing, there are apps that can convert spoken language into written words.

This can be helpful when you want to send a text message or an email.

Text prediction
When you are typing a message or an e-mail, your device can offer you a prediction of the word that you want to type. Or, it offers you suggestions of words after typing the first letters of a message.

This can make writing easier.

Message banks and keyboards
When you have problems speaking, or typing, it can help to have a set of common phrases that you frequently use, saved on your phone.

You can also use emojis to show others what you want to say.

This can make writing easier.

Message banks

Keyboards

C) Apps to enhance communication

Whiteboards, Notes
When you have your phone or tablet with you, you automatically have a notepad with you!

There are apps available that will turn your screen into a whiteboard. That way, a person with aphasia can draw or write key words on the whiteboard. A communication partner can also use the whiteboard to get a message across.

Whiteboards

Notes

Maps, Calendar, Photos
It can be difficult for a person with aphasia to explain where they want to go to, to explain where you live, or to name a specific place you want to talk about.

Each device has a digital map of the world installed that can show the place you want to talk about.

Each device also has access to a calendar. This is not only helpful to set reminders, but also to use as a communication method when you want to let someone know about an upcoming appointment or event.

Pictures often say more than words. Creating different photo albums on your device can be helpful for people with aphasia to share information about themselves, and tell about recent events.

Photos

Calendar

Maps

Social Media
A person with aphasia may feel isolated and alone.

Social media can be a great way for people with aphasia to connect with family and friends.

There are pages and groups for people with aphasia, and their loved ones. This helps to connect with peers who are going through the same, and understand you.

Pictures often say more than words. Creating different photo albums on your device can be helpful for people with aphasia to share information about themselves, and tell about recent events.

These videos will be uploaded to this website soon.

D) Cognitive / compensatory apps

These videos will be uploaded to this website soon.

Memory Aids: Calendar & Reminders