Most of us use our smartphones every day to send messages, check directions, take photos and stay connected. But did you know that your smartphone can also be used as an AAC device (Augmentative and Alternative Communication device)?
For people with speech, language and communication needs, smartphones can help reduce communication barriers, increase independence and make everyday interactions easier. Whether someone finds it difficult to find the right words, needs extra time to process information, experiences anxiety when speaking or uses AAC to support communication, the tools already built into most smartphones can provide valuable support.
The best part? Most of these features are already available on the device in your pocket.
Can a Smartphone Be Used as an AAC Device?
Many people think of an AAC device as a specialist piece of equipment. However, modern smartphones can often function as a simple and effective AAC device.
AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) refers to any tool, strategy or technology that helps a person communicate when speech is difficult, unreliable or unavailable. While some people use dedicated AAC devices, others use a smartphone or tablet with built-in accessibility features or communication apps.
For some individuals, a mobile phone can act as an AAC device by allowing them to:
- Type messages and show them to others
- Use text-to-speech functions to speak aloud
- Store frequently used phrases
- Use photos, symbols or visuals to support communication
- Access specialist AAC apps
- Reduce pressure during face-to-face conversations
Using a smartphone as an AAC device can be particularly helpful for people with:
- Autism
- Selective Mutism
- Developmental Language Disorder (DLD)
- Speech difficulties
- Acquired communication difficulties
- Anxiety affecting communication
- Motor speech disorders
The best AAC solution is always the one that meets an individual’s communication needs, and for some people, the smartphone already in their pocket can be an excellent place to start.
Using the Notes App to Support Communication
The Notes app is one of the simplest yet most effective communication tools available on a smartphone.
When speaking feels difficult, typing can provide an alternative way to express thoughts, needs and ideas.
People may choose to:
- Type a message and show it to another person
- Write down questions before an appointment
- Create reminders of things they want to talk about later
- Keep important information easily accessible
- Prepare responses in advance for situations they find challenging
Many people find it helpful to save frequently used phrases, such as:
- “I need a little more time to answer.”
- “Can you repeat that, please?”
- “Could you write that down for me?”
- “I’m finding it difficult to explain.”
- “Can I have a latte with oat milk, please?”
For individuals who experience communication anxiety, selective mutism, word-finding difficulties or social communication differences, having pre-prepared phrases can reduce pressure and increase confidence.
The Notes app can also be used to create a personal communication profile containing:
- Emergency contact information
- Medical information
- Preferred communication methods
- Important personal details
- Information about reasonable adjustments
This can be particularly helpful when attending appointments, travelling independently or communicating with unfamiliar people.
Use Text-to-Speech Features
Many smartphones also include built-in text-to-speech tools.
On iPhones, features such as Live Speech and Speak Screen allow typed messages to be spoken aloud. This effectively turns your phone into a simple AAC device, allowing communication without relying solely on speech.
This can be particularly useful when:
- Speech is temporarily difficult
- Someone experiences communication fatigue
- Anxiety makes verbal communication challenging
- A person wants additional support expressing themselves independently
Voice Recordings: A Personal Thinking Space
Many people find it easier to organise their thoughts when speaking aloud rather than writing.
Voice recording apps can provide a useful “thinking space” without the pressure of immediate conversation.
Voice recordings can be used to:
- Practise what you want to say before an important conversation
- Rehearse phone calls
- Organise thoughts before meetings
- Capture ideas quickly before they are forgotten
- Record reminders
- Save useful phrases for future use
For some individuals, particularly those who need extra time to process information or plan spoken language, voice recordings can help bridge the gap between thinking and communicating.
They can also help build confidence before challenging situations such as interviews, presentations, appointments or social events.
Using Photos to Support Conversation
Photos can be powerful communication tools and are often overlooked as a form of AAC support.
Many people find it easier to talk about something when they have a visual prompt in front of them.
Photos can help:
- Share experiences and events
- Support storytelling
- Explain where you have been
- Show what you have been doing
- Answer questions such as “What did you do today?”
- Support memory and recall
Many smartphones automatically record when and where a photo was taken, providing additional information that can help support conversations.
For children, photos can be particularly useful for sharing experiences from school, holidays or activities when verbal explanations feel difficult.
For adults, photos can support memory, planning and participation in conversations.
Using the Internet to Repair Communication Breakdowns
We have all experienced moments when we know what we mean but cannot find the right word.
In these situations, visual information can often bridge the communication gap.
A smartphone can help by allowing users to:
- Search for pictures of objects or places
- Show maps or locations
- Display diagrams or visual explanations
- Find images of products or items
- Support word-finding difficulties
For example, if someone cannot remember the name of an object, searching for an image can often help clarify meaning more quickly than trying to describe it verbally.
Many image search tools now allow users to upload a photograph and identify the object automatically, which can be particularly helpful when word retrieval is difficult.
Live Captions: Turning Speech into Text
One of the most powerful accessibility tools available on modern smartphones is Live Captions.
This feature converts spoken language into written text in real time, providing a visual version of conversations as they happen.
Live Captions can be especially helpful for people who:
- Find spoken information difficult to process
- Need additional time to understand language
- Struggle in noisy environments
- Miss parts of conversations
- Find telephone conversations challenging
Benefits include:
- Improved understanding of spoken language
- Reduced pressure during conversations
- Increased confidence in social situations
- Additional support in busy or noisy environments
- Greater independence during phone calls
Because information is presented visually as well as verbally, Live Captions can reduce cognitive load and support understanding for many people with communication needs.
On iPhone, Live Captions can usually be found under:
Settings → Accessibility → Live Captions
Using Emojis and Visual Symbols
Communication is about much more than words.
Emojis, GIFs and images can help add meaning, emotion and context to conversations.
For example:
😊 Happy
😕 Confused
🤔 Thinking
😴 Tired
👍 Yes
👎 No
Visual symbols can:
- Support emotional expression
- Clarify meaning
- Reduce misunderstandings
- Provide quick responses
- Make conversations more engaging
For some individuals, visual communication can feel easier and more accessible than relying solely on written or spoken language.
Small Changes Can Make a Big Difference
Many people are surprised to discover how many communication supports are already built into the device they carry every day.
While a smartphone may not replace a dedicated AAC device for everyone, it can provide a powerful and accessible communication tool. For some individuals, a mobile phone may be their first experience of using AAC and can significantly increase independence, confidence and participation in everyday life.
The best communication strategy is always the one that works for the individual. For some people that may be speech, for others it may be typing, visuals, text-to-speech, AAC apps or a combination of approaches.
By exploring the accessibility features already available on your smartphone, you may discover simple solutions that make communication easier, more confident and more successful in everyday life.
Get the Right Support
At ISLTS, we support children, young people and adults with a wide range of speech, language and communication needs.
Whether you are concerned about language development, social communication, Developmental Language Disorder (DLD), Selective Mutism, stammering, AAC needs or communication confidence, our specialist Speech and Language Therapists are here to help.
We can assess communication needs, recommend appropriate AAC solutions and provide tailored support to help individuals communicate more effectively and participate fully in everyday life.
Contact our team to find out more about assessment, therapy and support services.
