Finding the best AAC app for your family can be overwhelming. The Grid3 app has a lot of robust features, simple symbols, and allows a lot of customization. But their complex grid and system make it hard for parents and users to understand. While Coughdrop's AAC app is less intricate, its simplicity and many supporting features make it one of the most effective communication apps for early learners. Many families are choosing Coughdrop as their AAC device for autism, kids, adults, and more. Is it time for Grid3? Compare all of Grid3 and Coughdrop AAC features to decide for yourself.
Coughdrop |
Grid3 |
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|---|---|---|
| Good for Early Communication |
Cough drop can work for early users but is often helpful for adults and users that do not have good dexterity. Users can enable eye tracking to sync with eye gaze.
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Can help early learners but includes an overwhelming set-up process
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| Affordable Pricing |
CoughDrop is $6/mo OR $200 for a lifetime payment. However, they charge a $25 fee for a "superviser" account, which allows other caregivers access to edit the board. There is a 2-month free trial option.
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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 |
Estimated time: 15-20 minutes. CoughDrop guides the user through set up. Although customizing coughdrop's AAC talker app is pretty straightforward, there is not much onboarding support from the CoughDrop team.
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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 |
CoughDrop's only form of behavior supports come in the form of badges and external feedback from caregivers.
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25 animated activities that help kids learn how to make choices.
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| Multiple Device options |
CoughDrop is built on basic web standards. This means that while it works on computers, Android devices, IOS devices, Chromebooks, Windows devices, and Amazon devices, it does require access to browser storage to work right when accessed from the web. They do have an app version available, but no distraction-free device.
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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 |
Modeling is done through a search function on cough drop's interface. It will highlight a path, but the search must be done on the AAC device itself, leaving search and other settings exposed for user to get distracted by while in speak mode.
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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 |
CoughDrop allows users to set goals and badges for practicing within the application.
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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 |
CoughDrop's premium voices are only available on iOS, Android and Amazon apps. Voice settings also depend on the device being used. Although there is a multitude of languages and accents, the flexibililty in voice selection is not consistent.
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Available in 15 languages.
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| Customer Support |
The only support available is through FAQ articles, videos, and email communication.
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Available by phone, website chat, and email, but limited onboarding support
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| Motor Planning |
Yes. CoughDrop's users learn through muscle memory. Words do not move, and others can be hidden.
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Each grid is based on the same layout, which helps with motor planning
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| Simplicity of screen |
More advanced users are set up with an overwhelming grid with very small buttons.
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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 |
No dedicated device offered. Users have to go through a third party and pay separately for CoughDrop software on the device.
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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 |
CoughDrop has a keyboard screen that provides the ability to spell words from scratch. This keyboard is used by many older users. The keyboard can be found in a side bar shortcut.
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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 |
Outside of speaking through the CoughDrop AAC talker to say that they are in a difficult situation, CoughDrop has no safety functionality.
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There is no built-in feature for safety.
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| Reminders to Practice |
CoughDrop does not have reminders that help encourage users to practice.
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No reminders to practice Grid3 are included in-app.
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| Image and Symbol Quality |
CoughDrop uses Open Symbols, an open source collection of symbols for communication.
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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 |
CoughDrop offers little in regard to improving dexterity outside of consistent AAC practice. No supporting features.
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Grid3 does offer interactive learning through 25 animated activities.
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| Levels of vocabulary |
The beginning set up asks users to pick from 3 levels of boards: brand new, some experience, and very experienced. However, they don't guide with size of buttons very well.
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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 |
CoughDrop charges per-communicator, so all care team members can create an account for free.
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Remote editing can only be done from a Windows computer.
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See how Goally’s AAC talker app helps children learn language and communicate more effectively than other talker apps.
Goally's language learning apps are just $12 a month. If it does not work for your family, you can cancel at any time.
