Guides
Communication boards for adults: a simple guide from Speech Assistant
The Speech Assistant Team
October 2026 · 2 min read
A communication board lets an adult point to what they want to say when speech is hard or impossible: after a stroke, with ALS/MND, in hospital or after surgery.
What to put on it
- Needs: pain, water, toilet, too hot, too cold, tired.
- Yes / No / I don't know. Big and easy to reach.
- People: partner, children, nurse, doctor.
- Feelings: scared, okay, frustrated, sad.
- Questions: What time is it? When can I go home?
- Alphabet, if the person can spell, for anything not on the board.
How to use one well
- Hold it where the person can reach or see every item.
- Ask yes/no questions or give a few clear choices.
- Wait. Don't finish their sentence.
- Repeat back what you understood: "You're in pain. Is it your back?"
When an app helps
Speech Assistant - AAC Pad is a free communication board app for iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch:
- Ready-made Needs, Feelings, Questions and People boards, spoken aloud with one tap.
- A keyboard with word prediction for people who can still type.
- Bigger tiles on iPad, for low vision or less precise pointing.
- Head tracking for people who can't use their hands.
- Works offline for tapping and typing.
More: AAC for aphasia after a stroke and AAC for ALS.
Speech Assistant is a communication tool, not a medical device.
Questions people ask
What is a communication board?
A sheet or screen of words, pictures or letters that a person points to in order to communicate. An app version can also speak each choice aloud.
Who uses communication boards for adults?
People after a stroke (aphasia), with ALS/MND, on a ventilator or after mouth or throat surgery, and people with dementia or a learning disability.
Paper board or app?
Both are useful. Paper never runs out of battery; an app speaks aloud, has more words and can be personalised.
Speech Assistant - AAC Pad
Free AAC for iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch.
