Predictable
Giving a voice to people. A text-to-speech app, with smart word prediction,
designed for people who have difficulty speaking.
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Predictable: the basics
Predictable is the award winning app first launched back in 2011. It is used by people around the world who have little or no speech, some or all of the time.
The main design aims are to make it quicker and easier for people to communicate when they have difficulty. People who use it have MND/ALS, cerebral palsy, autism, have had a stroke or brain injury or head and neck cancer.
Aim: faster communication, more easily
The self-learning word prediction and accessibility features are designed to assist users to compose and speak their messages as quickly as possible, by reducing key strokes or switch hits.
The phrase bank, floorholding feature and sentence saver are all built to make conversations flow more easily and to reduce interruptions.
Saving favourites and customising key placements are additional ways to improve interactions.
Eye tracking integration
Predictable has a deep integration of the technology needed for eye tracking using the Apple MFI programme approved IRISBOND Hiru eye tracker.
Requires an external eye tracker and compatible iPad Pros. Contact support@therapy-box.co.uk for a quote for your own IRISBOND Hiru eye tracker and iPad Pro.
Select a voice that helps convey your identity
Choose from the high-quality device voices, including voices for over 26 additional languages, for multi-lingual users of Predictable.
Voice banking compatible with the key voice banking engines:
ModelTalker
Acapela My Own Voice
SpeakUnique
The Voice Keeper
Communicate everywhere
Predictable can be used on an iPad or iPhone to make calls using FaceTime. You can also share messages and emails, or copy text to another app.
Use Predictable at school, home, university or at work. Set up content ready to go for doctor appointments, meetings, social catch ups or to prepare a speech.
Save phrases or use
pre-set vocabulary
Predictable offers the possibility to save phrases to use when you need them, You can use the phrase bank in a grid view. It's possible to customise your phrase bank content and the size of the grid.
You can use photos, symbols or just text and organise your phrases in categories for different situations, or in topical groups.
Use head tracking and
gestures to speak
Predictable offers an enhanced head tracking feature using face recognition technology available on newer iPad Pro devices.
Face gestures are also compatible with scanning methods: you can scan the items with switches and select by blinking. You can also create recipes of gestures to create quick and easy access to a huge number of phrases.
Switch between all your languages
With 26 additional languages to choose from in Predictable English, you can truly be multi-lingual.
Languages available:
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Arabic
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Chinese
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Czech
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Danish
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Dutch
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Finnish
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French
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German
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Greek
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Hebrew
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Hindi
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Hungarian
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Indonesian
14. Italian
15. Japanese
16. Korean
17. Norwegian
18. Polish
19. Portuguese
20. Romanian
21. Russian
22. Slovak
23. Spanish
24. Swedish
25. Thai
26. Turkish
Use Head Tracking with Predictable
Head tracking is available in Predictable with no extra hardware required! If your iOS device allows head tracking, then turning it on in Predictable settings is all you need to do.
iOS Global Head Tracking can also be used within Predictable.
Testimonials
Justin
Justin
“Be honest, what do you think about using the Predictable App on your iPad?”
“Good” he said.
“Well why? Why do you think it is going to be better?”
“Faster” he said.
We have seen a huge increase in Joe’s confidence and willingness to communicate at school since he began using Predictable
This app met all of my clients needs, and we will be requesting this app as a component of an iPad based communication device. The app has a simple interface with a well designed, easy to navigate configuration.
References
Alliano Ashley, Herriger Kimberly, Koutsoftas Anthony D., & Bartolotta Theresa E. (2012). A Review of 21 iPad Applications for Augmentative and Alternative Communication Purposes. Perspectives on Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 21(2), 60–71. https://doi.org/10.1044/aac21.2.60
Balasubramanian, Y. (2018). Effects of a Mobile Tablet Device and an Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Application in Individuals with an Acquired Communication Disorder: Influence on Communication Abilities and Quality of Life. Purdue University.
Barber, C (2015). Management of bulbar symptoms in motor neurone disease: a community speech and language therapist perspective. British Journal of Neuroscience Nursing, 11:1, 41-46
Diehl, S. K., & Wallace, S. E. (2018). A modified multimodal communication treatment for individuals with traumatic brain injury. Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 34(4), 323–334. https://doi.org/10.1080/07434618.2018.1523224
Gilbert, J. R. (2013). Exploring the Utilization of Applications as a Form of Augmentative and Alternative Communication by Speech-Language Pathologists. Eastern Kentucky University.
Rayman, A. (2022). Simulation of other-initiated repair using text-based augmentative communication technologies (Order No. 29209400). Available from ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global. (2676554817).
Scott, A., & McPhee, M. (2014). Multidisciplinary care: Speech and language therapy. In D. Oliver, G. D. Borasio, & W. Johnston (Eds.), Palliative Care in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (pp. 215–232). Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199686025.003.0014
Sutton, M. (2012). Apps to aid aphasia. The ASHA Leader. https://doi.org/10.1044/leader.APP.17072012.32
Taylor, S., Wilson, E., Murfitt, K & Balandin, S. (2021) Communication access in the retail environment for people with complex communication needs, Disability and Rehabilitation, 43:22, 3189-3198, DOI: 10.1080/09638288.2020.1733108
Wood, D., Raghavendra, P., Sampson, J., Scutter, S., Bilsborow, C., Fry, C., Charlesworth, M., & Kirk, I. (2013). If you leave it with me I will work it out. Journal of Telecommunications and the Digital Economy, 63(2).
How to get Predictable
Predictable
iOS
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Works on iPad and iPhone iOS12 and later
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English, Spanish, French, German, Norwegian, Swedish, Danish, Portuguese, Dutch, Finnish versions available
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26 other languages in multilingual options
Predictable
Android
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Works on Android phones and tablets running OS7
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Available in English, German, Swedish on PlayStore
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Contact support@therapy-box.co.uk to find out which devices have been tested
Predictable
Bundles
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Options available for Predictable on a tablet or iPad set up to meet your requirements with ruggedised cases and speakers.
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Contact quotes@therapy-box.co.uk to discuss your requirements
As featured by Apple
Featured by Apple in their Meet the Developer section on the AppStore: "We all communicate in different ways, and speech and language is something that's easy to take for granted."
You can read more here
Noteworthy
