TouchChat and LAMP Words for Life have some key differences in their AAC apps. TouchChat offers extensive vocabulary options and customizable layouts, making it great for early communication and motor planning. LAMP Words for Life, on the other hand, focuses on a simplified screen and motor planning techniques to aid communication. In the table below, we'll compare features like pricing, vocabulary, and ease of use to help you decide which AAC app is best for your needs.
TouchChat |
LAMP Words for Life |
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|---|---|---|
| Good for Early Communication |
Is great for kids who need an interactive board that guides them to make sentences based on the selected word.
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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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| Affordable Pricing |
The $9.99 lite version has no voice output, which can defeat much of the purpose of the app. The HD version is $149.99 and pro version is almost $300. There is no family sharing. Dedicated devices cost over $4,000.
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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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| Easy to Get Started |
There is an intense programming set up process and a 108-page manual for parents.
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Very little guidance offered to new users. Support is only offered if a Support Plan is purchased.
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| Behavior Supports |
TouchChat is pretty simple in its function and does not offer more than communication.
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No behavior support included.
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| Multiple Device Options |
TouchChat is only available on iOS devices (or one of two dedicated device options that cost over four thousand dollars) and is chained to one person's apple ID. This makes it difficult to use with a variety of caregivers, teachers, and locations.
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The app is ONLY available on iPad (not even iPhones). Expensive dedicated devices can be bought through other companies.
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| Easy Parent Modeling |
The Word Finder feature is on the app itself within the keyboard functionality, meaning caregivers must take the device away from the user to show them how to find a word.
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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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| Incentives to Practice |
TouchChat does not have any internal motivators to practice.
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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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| Natural Voices and Language Availability |
Available in English, Spanish, Hebrew, and Arabic. However, many voices have to be purchased separately.
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Offered in Spanish, English, and Hebrew. 35+ voice options are available.
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| Customer Support |
LiveChat or calling support is only offered when subscribed to a premium support plans. If you are using the Lite app, you have to rely on support articles for help.
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Requires customers to purchase tier 1 or tier 2 support plans to be helped in a reasonable time frame.
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| Motor Planning |
The vocabulary avaiable is WordPower, a word-based page set made by Nancy L. Inman, M.A.T., CCC-SLP. This type of board helps users create sentences "on the fly."
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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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| Simplicity of the Screen |
Buttons are often small and thin in size when using it to its fullest potential, requiring good finger dexterity.
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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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| Safety and 9-1-1 Calling features |
TouchChat only offers the functionality of a talker.
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Little functionality to help kids out of stressful situation. Communication via the talker is its only function.
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| Affordable Dedicated Device Option |
The only available dedicated device is a NovaChat by Saltillo or TouchChat Express, which are over $4,000 in cost.
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All dedicated devices must be bought outside of the company and mostly thousands of dollars.
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| Communication With Spelling |
TouchChat offers a keyboard for creating words from letters. It also has head tracking.
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Offers "spell mode" so users can type out words.
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| Reminders to Practice |
No built-in incentives to grow in communication.
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There are no integrated reminders to practice language and communication via the Words For Life app.
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| Image and Symbol Quality |
You have to purchase additional symbol libraries and voices to make it uniquely customized.
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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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| Fun Games to Build Skills |
Touchchat has no external or supporting games that improve AAC users' finger dexterity.
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LAMP Words for Life does not include any external or accompanying games that help AAC users improve their finger dexterity.
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| Levels of Vocabulary |
Has a robust vocabulary- base of 500 core words, has grammar features that you can turn on, and has a literacy feature called "logical linking"
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Has 3 levels of vocabularies: 1-hit, transtion, and full.
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| Care Team Access |
The app is limited to devices logged in on the apple ID used to purchase the software.
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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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See why Goally’s AAC talker app is the most affordable and most effective talker app for families.
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