Penfriend XL

Supplier: http://www.penfriend.biz

Brief description

  • Word prediction (in any web & Windows application)
  • On screen keyboard
  • List of up to 12 word predictions
  • Can customise the dictionary to improve prediction
  • Text to speech facility to hear the words predicted before selection
  • Screen magnification
  • Can listen back repeatedly to the sentence being composed
  • Examples of word useage (for homophones)

Who could benefit

  • People who can spell the first 2-3 letters of a word
Easy to use independently: Yes
Number of exercises:
Version: UK English, American English, Australian English
Access: Keyboard, Mouse
Record Results: No
Evaluation: Free trial, Tutorials

Brief description

  • Reading & writing tool designed for children but can be very helpful for people with aphasia who need help with writing & spelling
  • Word prediction (can be personalised)
  • Word & phrase banks by topic or A-Z (can be personalised)
  • Written or picture supported word banks
  • Hear words before selecting
  • Listen back to what you have written
  • Make voice notes to rehearse a sentence before writing it

Who could benefit

  • People who have some spelling but who need writing & spelling prompts
  • People who have no spelling but who would like to write letters/cards

     
Easy to use independently: Fairly
Number of exercises:
Version: UK English
Access: Keyboard, Mouse, Other input, Touchscreen
Record Results: No
Evaluation: Can author/customise, Tutorials

Musatcha color filter

Supplier: http://www.musatcha.com/software/ColorFilter/

Brief description

  • A color filter which puts a tint on the computer screen to make text more readable
  • The filter can be configured to use any colour or opacity

Who could benefit

  • People with visual difficulties
  • People who struggle to see normal computer screen
     
Easy to use independently: Very
Number of exercises:
Version:
Access:
Record Results:
Evaluation:

NaturalReader 10

Supplier: http://www.naturalreaders.com

Brief description

  • Free text to speech program
  • Works in Microsoft programs, webpages, PDF files and emails
  • No copy and paste required: uses its own task bar
  • Can also magnify text and change the font colour, style and size to aid reading

Who could benefit

  • People who struggle to read
  • People with visual difficulties
Easy to use independently: Yes
Number of exercises:
Version: UK English, American English
Access: Keyboard, Mouse, Touchscreen
Record Results: No
Evaluation: Free trial

Talking word processor (speaks out letters, words, sentences)

Talking spell checker (identifies potential mistakes and offers alternatives which you can listen to before selecting)

Talking dictionary (simplified definitions given which you can listen to before selecting)

Homophone checker (alternatives suggested with a definition to aid selection)

Who could benefit

  • People who struggle to write long sentences
  • People who make frequent spelling and/or grammar mistakes
Easy to use independently: Fairly
Number of exercises:
Version: UK English, American English
Access: Keyboard, Mouse, Touchscreen
Record Results: No
Evaluation:

Type of app & brief description       

  • Attach voice recordings to your photos.
  • When you press on a photo, the voice recording speaks out so you can explain your photos and use them in conversation if your speech is affected.

Comments/N.B

  • Free
Easy to use independently: Very
Number of exercises:
Version: UK English, American English, Australian English
Access:
Record Results: No
Evaluation:

Voice recorder to record your own speech

Record reminders

Record conversations (e.g. at the Dr) to remember what was said and to play back later

Send recordings via email

  

 

 

Easy to use independently: Fairly
Number of exercises:
Version: UK English, American English, Australian English
Access:
Record Results:
Evaluation: Free trial, Tutorials

Type of exercises & brief description             

  • Practice of written and spoken present tense, present progressive and past tense verbs at word and sentence level
  • Flashcard exercises
  • Multiple choice (4 choices) semantic exercises

Error handling: Removes incorrect responses



Prompts/cues: None



Comments/N.B

  • Developed for children but most of the items and photos are adult appropriate
Easy to use independently: Very
Number of exercises: Large
Version: American English
Access: Touchscreen
Record Results: No
Evaluation:

spacedretrievaltherapy

Supplier: http://tactustherapy.com/app/srt/

Type of app & brief description       

  • Spaced retrieval technique to help memory of facts, procedures and other information. The person has a target question they must answer at regular intervals (e.g. what is your wife’s name).

Comments/N.B

  • Not for independent practice, need someone working alongside & to program prompt questions
  • With creative use, could be useful for functional word finding
     

Supplier: Tactus

 

Easy to use independently: No
Number of exercises:
Version: UK English, American English, Australian English
Access:
Record Results: No
Evaluation:

LanguageTherapy Lite

Supplier: http://www.tactustherapy.com/apps

Type of exercises & brief description             

  • A trial version of 4 apps: Comprehension Therapy, Naming Therapy, Reading Therapy and Writing Therapy
  • 5 items are available under each therapy category so you can trial the 4 apps before buying the full versions

Error handling: See individual app descriptions

Prompts/cues: See individual app descriptions

Record results: See individual app descriptions

Comments/N.B
Not a therapy tool in itself, a taster/demo

Easy to use independently: Very
Number of exercises: Small
Version: UK English, American English
Access:
Record Results: Yes
Evaluation: Free trial, Tutorials