Grid3 and LAMP Words for Life are two aac applications that each bring something unique to the table. While Grid3 is appropriate for children, LAMP Words for Life offers a more diverse range of natural voices and a different level of simplicity. They have varying levels of language and motor planning. Some tablet devices are compatible with both applications, while others aren't. On LAMP Words for Life, pricing is different, and care team coordination is frequently better. There's a lot to see! Choosing the best AAC app, autism talker gadget, and means of communication in general might be difficult, which is why we have broken it down for you. See how Grid3 stacks up against LAMP Words for Lifein the table below.
LAMP Words for Life |
Grid3 |
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|---|---|---|
| Good for Early Communication |
LAMP Word for Life is great if you want your user to only have to tap ONE time on the screen, but for younger users, the small symbol size and overwhelming vocabulary makes it difficult to start slow.
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Can help early learners but includes an overwhelming set-up process
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| Affordable Pricing |
The app is $299.99 and only available on iPad. No trial version. You must go through a third party source for hardware, adding to the cost.
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The app-only is £9.99 per month or £349.99 one-time-payment. But dedicated devices are hundreds of dollars and funding is complicated.
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| Easy to Get Started |
Very little guidance offered to new users. Support is only offered if a Support Plan is purchased.
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There are different "Grid sets" to choose from, so setup and process is different for each.
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| Behavior Supports |
No behavior support included.
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25 animated activities that help kids learn how to make choices.
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| Multiple Device options |
The app is ONLY available on iPad (not even iPhones). Expensive dedicated devices can be bought through other companies.
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The app-only download is only available on iPad. However, some of the expensive dedicated devices offered do include options for eye-gaze, switch, touch, and pointing devices.
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| Easy Parent Modeling |
WordFinder™ gives users and caregivers the option of both viewing and touching the button sequence to practice the movement for motor planning.
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"Find word" functionality has to be added to the grid set to help guide a path to a word
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| Incentives to practice |
While there are no supporting features like token boards to incentivize practice, LAMP Words for Life does allow users to use the app during FaceTime calls and to share messages to social media. This does make practicing AAC a bit more fun!
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The limited games offered may help children be excited to interact with the talker
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| Natural voices and language availability |
Offered in Spanish, English, and Hebrew. 35+ voice options are available.
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Available in 15 languages.
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| Customer Support |
Requires customers to purchase tier 1 or tier 2 support plans to be helped in a reasonable time frame.
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Available by phone, website chat, and email, but limited onboarding support
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| Motor Planning |
Yes. Lamp Words for Life aac app is heavily focused on language acquisition through motor planning and muscle memory patterns. Words do not move on the screen, and there is no scrolling.
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Each grid is based on the same layout, which helps with motor planning
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| Simplicity of screen |
LAMP Words for Life has one the most complex and overwhelming screens because users are not able to scroll or tap into folders. All words are laid out on the home screen. Once programmed, their placement will not change.
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Depends on the grid chosen. Some are more complicated than others! Deciding which is best can be a bit overwhelming.
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| Affordable dedicated device option |
All dedicated devices must be bought outside of the company and mostly thousands of dollars.
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Funding a dedicated device includes a 4 step process with lots of paperwork and forms. The device costs are not clear up front.
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| Communication with spelling |
Offers "spell mode" so users can type out words.
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Grid3 does have a keyboard functionality that can be added to a grid
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| Built-In Safety and 9-1-1 Calling features |
Little functionality to help kids out of stressful situation. Communication via the talker is its only function.
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There is no built-in feature for safety.
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| Reminders to Practice |
There are no integrated reminders to practice language and communication via the Words For Life app.
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No reminders to practice Grid3 are included in-app.
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| Image and Symbol Quality |
Uses Minspeak symbols that don't often actually match the word it is supposed to represent. This is confusing for most users. The symbols also represent multiple words.
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Grid3 uses a variety of symbols: Widgit, PCS, Symbol Stix and Snap Photos
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| Fun Games to Build Skills |
LAMP Words for Life does not include any external or accompanying games that help AAC users improve their finger dexterity.
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Grid3 does offer interactive learning through 25 animated activities.
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| Levels of vocabulary |
Has 3 levels of vocabularies: 1-hit, transtion, and full.
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While there does not seem to be a simple step-waise vocabulary, Grid3 does offer core word vocabulary that sits next to activity-specific language.
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| Care team access |
LAMP Words for Life is interaction is limited to either the dedicated device or the iOS iPad that it was purchased on.
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Remote editing can only be done from a Windows computer.
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