Computer Programs for Speech Therapy

by Jacky G.

Speech therapy apps are great for fitting in a quick lesson on the way to soccer practice. However, you can also turn your PC into an electronic speech therapy tutor for your child. Some computer programs for speech therapy are customized for a specific speech disorder, while others offer a comprehensive range of tools. Consult your child’s speech-language pathologist (SLP) and ask for recommendations of software programs that would best suit your child’s needs.

Video Voice Speech Training System

Video Voice Speech Training System is appropriate for children of all ages, as well as adults. Video Voice is easy to navigate and offers complementary software updates. Your child can use the various games and displays in this software to work on his articulation, sound production, rate of speech, and more. Video Voice is intended to be used by those with a wide range of speech disorders and related conditions, including apraxia, hearing impairment, oral motor articulation deficits, autism, head injuries, and more.

TalkTime with Tucker

TalkTime with Tucker is a voice-activated speech therapy software program that is appropriate for children from pre-kindergarten through the fourth grade. This program’s primary function is to encourage vocalization in reluctant talkers. Children can make Tucker, an animated character, move and talk by speaking into a microphone. The program keeps children engaged by encouraging them to guide Tucker through various adventures.

Tiger’s Tale

Tiger’s Tale is appropriate for children in preschool and elementary school. It elicits oral communication by encouraging children to speak for a tiger that has lost his voice. This type of software can benefit children with articulation, fluency, voice, and language disorders. As the tiger goes on a search for his voice, children can record their voices. When the tiger’s search is complete, children can play back the “movie” to hear their own voices.

Clicker 6

Clicker 6 is a software program that can benefit children who struggle with an expressive language disorder. Your child can use the sentence builder grids to learn proper sentence structure. He can also use the “forced order” grids, in which he is given a sample of words to put in the correct order. Clicker 6 also offers tools for your child to record his voice. He may listen to a model sentence and then attempt to imitate it. This software program also offers sound matching games and additional activities to strengthen a child’s expressive language abilities. Children who have little to no speech may also use the program as an augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) device.

Speech Therapy Techniques