Tala
Picture-based communication boards with whole-phrase text-to-speech. Set up in 90 seconds.You Don't Need a $5,000 Device. You Need the Right App.
If you've been told your child needs an "AAC device," you might picture a bulky tablet with a price tag that makes your stomach drop. Dedicated AAC devices can cost $5,000–15,000. Insurance might cover part of it. The process takes months.
Here's what most people don't realize: the iPhone in your pocket can do the same thing. An AAC app turns your phone into a speech-generating device. Your child taps symbols, and the phone speaks for them.
Why an app instead of a dedicated device?
You already own an iPhone. Your child is already familiar with how it works. You don't need to carry a separate device. You don't need to wait for insurance approval to get started. And if your child's needs grow beyond what an app can do, you can always transition to a dedicated device later — but for many families, the app is enough.
How Tala works for autistic children
Tala was built for a minimally speaking autistic boy by his father. It is designed around whole-phrase cards for gestalt language processors — children who learn language through complete phrases rather than single words. Your child taps a card and hears the full sentence spoken aloud in a clear, natural voice. Available in 29 languages, including English, Spanish, Swedish, Italian, Portuguese, German, French, Norwegian, Danish, Turkish, Dutch, Chinese, Hindi, and Arabic.
Getting started takes 90 seconds
Download Tala from the App Store. Pick a language. Tell Tala a little about your child — name, age, interests — and the boards are personalized in seconds. You can start using AAC with your child today, not in six months when the insurance paperwork clears. Tala costs $9.99/month and is free for speech-language pathologists and teachers.
Try Tala free for 7 days
Picture-based communication boards with whole-phrase text-to-speech. Set up in 90 seconds.