Picture communication apps let people who can't speak tap on images to build sentences. The app speaks the sentence aloud. It sounds simple because it is. But the research, design, and symbol systems behind these apps are anything but simple.
This guide explains how picture communication works, the symbol sets that power it, and what to look for in an app.
What Is Picture-Based Communication?
Picture-based communication replaces spoken words with visual symbols. Each symbol represents a word, phrase, or concept. The user selects symbols in sequence to construct a message, and the app converts that message into spoken speech.
This approach works because visual processing and language processing use different neural pathways. A child who can't produce speech may still understand language perfectly. Symbols give them a way to express what they already know.
Research consistently supports this. A 2006 meta-analysis by Millar, Light, and Schlosser found that AAC interventions (including picture-based systems) do not inhibit speech development. In many cases, they actually promote it.
How Symbols Represent Language
Not all symbols work the same way. Some are photographs. Some are simple line drawings. Some are abstract icons. The level of abstraction matters because it affects how quickly someone can learn to use the system.
Transparency spectrum
Symbols fall on a spectrum from transparent to opaque:
- Transparent. The symbol looks like what it represents. A photo of an apple means "apple." Most people can guess the meaning without training.
- Translucent. The connection exists but isn't obvious at first glance. A fork and knife might represent "eat" or "hungry."
- Opaque. The symbol has no visual connection to its meaning. You have to learn it. Think of how the word "the" has no visual connection to its meaning. Some abstract concepts require opaque symbols.
Younger children and new AAC users generally do better with transparent symbols. As users gain experience, they can handle more abstract representations.
Major Symbol Sets
Several established symbol sets exist, each with different strengths.
| Symbol Set | Symbols Available | Style | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCS (Boardmaker) | 45,000+ | Color line drawings | Paid license | Industry standard in clinics |
| SymbolStix | 30,000+ | Stick-figure style | Paid (via apps) | Used in Proloquo apps |
| Mulberry | 3,500+ | Simple line drawings | Free, open source | Good for basic vocabulary |
| OpenMoji | 4,000+ | Emoji-style | Free, open source | Familiar emoji aesthetic |
| Tawasol | 1,000+ | Culturally adapted | Free | Designed for Arabic speakers |
| ARASAAC | 12,000+ | Color pictograms | Free, Creative Commons | Popular in Europe and Latin America |
PCS (Picture Communication Symbols)
PCS is the most widely used symbol set in clinical settings. Developed by Tobii Dynavox for Boardmaker, it covers a massive vocabulary with consistent styling. The downside is cost. PCS is licensed software, and that cost gets passed to the end user.
Mulberry and ARASAAC
These are free, open-source alternatives. Mulberry symbols are simpler and designed for adults as well as children. ARASAAC symbols come from the Aragonese Centre for Augmentative and Alternative Communication in Spain and are available in multiple languages.
OpenMoji and Tawasol
OpenMoji follows the emoji aesthetic that most kids already recognize from messaging apps. Tawasol was developed specifically for Arabic-speaking communities and includes culturally appropriate representations for food, clothing, and social situations.
How Apps Organize Pictures into Boards
A picture communication app isn't just a collection of symbols. The organization determines whether the user can actually find what they need.
Grid layouts
Most apps use a grid of buttons. Each button displays a symbol, a label, or both. Grid sizes range from 2x2 (4 buttons, for beginners) to 10x10 or larger (for experienced users who need fast access to vocabulary).
Smaller grids are easier to scan visually but limit how many words are available on one screen. Larger grids offer more vocabulary at the cost of visual complexity.
Folders and categories
Since you can't fit every word on one screen, apps use folders. Tap "Food" and you see food-related symbols. Tap "Feelings" and you see emotions. This hierarchical structure works, but too many folder levels slow communication down. Every extra tap adds time.
Core word boards
A better approach, used by most modern AAC apps, is to keep high-frequency "core words" on the main screen. Words like "want," "go," "more," "help," "stop," and "like" account for the vast majority of what people say in daily conversation. Understanding why core words matter is key to choosing the right app. These core words stay visible at all times, while less common vocabulary lives in category folders.
Motor planning
Consistent button placement matters more than most people realize. When a symbol stays in the same position every time, the user develops muscle memory. They stop searching and start navigating automatically. This is called motor planning, and it dramatically increases communication speed over time.
Key Features to Look For
Not all picture communication apps are equal. Here's what separates a useful app from a frustrating one.
Symbol quality. Are the symbols clear and consistent? Can you tell what they mean at a glance?
Voice output. Does the app speak the selected symbols aloud? Is the voice natural-sounding? Robotic voices can discourage use.
Customization. Can you add your own symbols, photos, and words? Every person's vocabulary needs are unique.
Grid flexibility. Can you adjust the grid size as the user's skills develop? Starting with 4 buttons and growing to 20 or more is a common progression.
Offline support. Communication can't depend on Wi-Fi. The app must work without an internet connection.
Message bar. Can the user build multi-word sentences before the app speaks? A message bar lets users construct "I want more juice" rather than just tapping "juice."
Consistent layout. Does the app support motor planning by keeping symbols in fixed positions?
Who Benefits from Picture Communication Apps?
Picture communication apps serve a wide range of people.
Children with autism who understand language but can't produce speech reliably. Picture apps give them a voice while oral communication skills develop.
Children with apraxia of speech who know what they want to say but can't coordinate the motor movements for speech. Tapping symbols is a different motor pathway.
People with Down syndrome who may have speech intelligibility challenges that make it hard for unfamiliar listeners to understand them.
Adults after stroke or brain injury who have lost the ability to speak but retain language comprehension.
People with cerebral palsy who have motor difficulties affecting speech production.
People with progressive conditions like ALS who are losing speech ability over time.
The common thread is a gap between what someone understands and what they can say aloud. Picture communication apps bridge that gap.
Getting Started
If you're new to picture communication, start with these steps:
- Talk to an SLP. A speech-language pathologist can assess which type of AAC is appropriate and help with setup.
- Try a free app first. Don't spend $250 before you know what works. SabiKo offers 8,400+ symbols and 6 neural voices at no cost.
- Start small. Begin with a 3x3 or 4x4 grid of core words. Add vocabulary gradually.
- Model, model, model. Use the app yourself when talking to the AAC user. Show them how it works by doing it alongside them.
- Be patient. Learning to communicate with symbols takes time. Most research suggests giving at least 8 to 12 weeks before evaluating progress.
If your child has been using physical picture cards or a PECS system, moving to a picture communication app is a natural next step. Our guide on transitioning from PECS to an AAC app walks through the process in detail.
Picture communication apps have changed lives. They've given voices to people who had none. The technology keeps improving, and the cost keeps dropping. If someone you care about needs a way to communicate, a picture communication app is a strong place to start.
Download SabiKo free and explore 8,400+ symbols with natural-sounding voices.