TapToTalk

age 6+

Valuable tool helps nonverbal kids communicate.

Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android, Kindle Fire, Nook HD
Price: Free
Category: Education

What parents need to know

Educational value

Kids can learn to convey simple messages effectively -- what they want to eat or drink, how they're feeling, what they would like to play, and much more. Kids tap on related images and the app speaks, providing kids with a sentence that conveys their feelings or needs. In using this verbal-assist tool, kids can practice handling stress as they ask for what they need or want and label their feelings. TapToTalk is a unique way for kids with limited verbal skills to learn to express themselves appropriately and effectively.

Ease of play

Very easy to use. Kids tap on the album with the relevant topic for what they want to say and a voice prompt says the topic. Then the screen changes to include more sub-topics within the larger topic. Kids tap within those subtopics for individual choices that are spoken. There are many customization options available with purchase of the entire program.

Violence & scariness

Not applicable

Sexy stuff

Not applicable

Language

Not applicable

Consumerism

The app is free, but only loaded with very basic albums for sample content. Users have to pay $99.95 a year or $179.95 for a "forever" pass with more word/image albums and to be able to customize TapToTalk by designing your own albums. The free app does contain some free albums and users can visit the app's website to get more. Once purchased, it can be used on any device you own that supports TapToTalk.

Drinking, drugs, & smoking

Not applicable

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that TapToTalk helps kids who aren't able to speak (or who have limited speech) to communicate. It may be used with very young kids, but it will likely be more effective for older kids and adults who want to communicate about a range of objects, places, and activities. The free app provides only sample content and doesn't allow for customized albums. Users can access the entire program along with customization options for $99.95 per year or lifetime access for $179.95.

User reviews

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What's it about?

Kids tap on the album with the relevant topic and navigate through more specific options until they can express exactly what they want to say. Every item has an image and text and is accompanied by voice narration in complete sentences. For example, the icon for "hungry" shows a smiley face with a fork and knife in hand. After tapping on it, the narrator says "I'm hungry," and then the screen changes to show sub-topics like "fruit," "snacks," "meal," "vegetable," or "bowl." Kids can continue tapping to communicate more specific needs.

Is it any good?

QUALITY

For users who pay for full access and customization options, TAPTOTALK is an incredibly powerful tool to help kids with limited verbal skills. Users have access to 2,600 images and 12,000 symbols and can add their own pictures and voice recordings. Each page in an album category can have up to 12 pictures, and each album can have hundreds of pictures. Kids can express an almost endless selection of customizable phrases on a lightweight, mobile device. TapToTalk can help increase communication and decrease frustration for special needs kids and their families, friends, and teachers.

Families can talk about...

Use the many customizable options to tailor the albums to your kid's needs and preferences.
If your kids have some ability to verbalize, encourage them to repeat the sentences they hear.

App details

Devices:	iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android, Kindle Fire, Nook HD
Subjects:	Language & Reading: naming, speaking, vocabulary
Skills:	Self-Direction: personal growth Emotional Development: handling stress, labeling feelings Communication: conveying messages effectively, speaking
Price:	Free
Pricing structure:	Free
Release date:	November 16, 2012
Category:	Education
Size:	9.40 MB
Publisher:	Assistyx LLC
Version:	2.4.1
Minimum software requirements:	iOS 4.3 or later; Android 2.1 and up

This review of TapToTalk was written by

Dana Villamagna

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are conducted by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

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