Symbol boards are the foundation of AAC. But symbols have limits. There's no symbol for your best friend's name. There's no symbol for the restaurant you went to last night. There's no symbol for the specific thing your teacher said that made you laugh.
When the word you need isn't on the board, you need a keyboard.
SabiKo's spelling keyboard is a built-in typing tool that lets AAC users type any word or sentence and speak it aloud with a single tap. It supports QWERTY and ABC layouts, shows word predictions with symbols as you type, and works with the same neural voice the user has selected for their communication boards.
How the Spelling Keyboard Works
The spelling keyboard opens as a dedicated screen called Type to Speak. Here's what you get:
- Text input area at the top where typed words appear
- Word prediction row below the text field, showing suggested words with their symbols
- Full keyboard in either QWERTY or ABC layout
- Speak button to say the typed message aloud
The flow is simple. Type a word or sentence, tap the speak button, and SabiKo says it out loud using the selected neural voice. The word prediction row updates as you type, showing matching words from SabiKo's vocabulary along with their symbols and Fitzgerald Key colors. Tapping a prediction inserts the full word so you don't have to finish spelling it.
QWERTY vs. ABC Layout
SabiKo offers two keyboard layouts, and you can switch between them with a tap.
QWERTY is the standard keyboard layout that most people are familiar with from phones, tablets, and computers. It's ideal for users who already know how to type or are learning to type in school.
ABC arranges the letters in alphabetical order. This layout is better for younger children or users who are still learning the alphabet. When you know a word starts with "d," finding it in alphabetical order is more intuitive than scanning a QWERTY layout.
| Layout | Best for | Why |
|---|---|---|
| QWERTY | Users who can type or are learning to type | Matches the keyboards they'll encounter everywhere else |
| ABC | Early spellers and younger children | Letters are in a predictable order |
You can switch layouts anytime without losing what you've typed.
Word Prediction with Symbols
As you type, SabiKo shows word predictions in a row below the text field. What makes this different from a standard phone keyboard is that each prediction shows the word's symbol alongside it, color-coded using the Fitzgerald Key system.
This matters for several reasons:
It bridges spelling and symbols. A child who recognizes the symbol for "help" but can't yet spell it will see the symbol appear after typing just "h-e." They tap the prediction and the word is inserted. This connection between letters and symbols reinforces literacy skills.
It speeds up communication. Typing "because" takes seven taps. If "because" appears as a prediction after two or three letters, that's half the effort. For AAC users who experience motor fatigue, this difference adds up across a conversation.
It reduces spelling pressure. Many AAC users are still developing spelling skills. Word prediction means you don't need to spell perfectly. Get close enough for the prediction engine to recognize the word, and you're done.
When to Use the Spelling Keyboard
Words that aren't on the board
This is the most common reason. Proper nouns (names of people, places, shows, games), slang, new vocabulary from school, and anything too specific for a general communication board. Instead of asking someone else to add the word, the user types it and says it.
Spelling practice
The spelling keyboard is a natural practice tool. A child who types "elephant" and hears the app say it back gets immediate feedback. Pair this with the word prediction: the child tries to spell the word, sees whether the prediction matches what they intended, and hears it spoken. That's a multi-sensory spelling lesson built into the communication tool.
For children working on literacy alongside AAC, the spelling keyboard creates daily practice opportunities that don't feel like worksheets.
Private or quiet messages
Sometimes a user wants to compose a longer message before speaking it. The spelling keyboard lets them type out a full thought, review it in the text field, and then tap speak when they're ready. This is useful in classroom discussions where the child wants to contribute a complete idea rather than speaking word by word as they compose.
When precision matters
"I don't feel well" communicates something different from "My stomach hurts on the left side." Symbol boards handle the first sentence well. The second requires specificity that spelling provides. Medical situations, detailed descriptions, and nuanced emotional expression all benefit from the ability to type exactly what you mean.
This is especially relevant during doctor visits where describing symptoms accurately makes a real difference.
Tips for Introducing the Spelling Keyboard
Don't rush it. The spelling keyboard is most useful for users who are already comfortable with symbol-based communication and have some letter recognition. If a child is still building their core word vocabulary, focus there first. The keyboard will be waiting when they're ready.
Start with names. Names are motivating because they're personal. Help the child type their own name, a sibling's name, a pet's name, or a friend's name. Hearing the app say their best friend's name is a powerful moment.
Use it alongside boards, not instead of them. The spelling keyboard doesn't replace symbol boards. Most AAC communication should still happen through symbols because they're faster and don't require spelling skills. The keyboard fills the gaps. Think of it as a backup for when the boards don't have what you need.
Model it yourself. Just like modeling on communication boards, show the child how you use the keyboard. Open Type to Speak, type a word that isn't on the boards, and hit speak. "I'm going to type something." They see the process and understand it's available to them.
Celebrate word prediction use. When a child taps a prediction instead of typing the full word, that's a win. They recognized the word from partial input. That's a literacy skill, a motor efficiency skill, and a communication strategy all at once.
Spelling Keyboard vs. Communication Boards
| Feature | Communication boards | Spelling keyboard |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | Fast (one tap per word) | Slower (multiple taps per word) |
| Vocabulary | Limited to what's on the board | Unlimited (any word you can spell) |
| Literacy needed | No (symbol recognition only) | Yes (letter recognition + spelling) |
| Best for | Core vocabulary and daily communication | Names, novel words, and precision |
| Word prediction | Not applicable | Yes, with symbols |
Most AAC users rely on boards for 90% or more of their communication and use the keyboard for the rest. The two tools complement each other.
Common Questions
At what age should a child start using the spelling keyboard?
There's no fixed age. It depends on literacy development, not calendar age. A child who recognizes letters and can attempt to spell simple words (even imperfectly) can start exploring the keyboard. Word prediction helps bridge the gap between emerging and proficient spelling.
Does word prediction learn from my child's usage?
SabiKo includes word prediction that suggests words based on usage patterns. The predictions shown include words from SabiKo's vocabulary, displayed with their symbols.
Can the spelling keyboard be hidden if it's too advanced?
The spelling keyboard is a separate tool accessed from the navigation. It doesn't appear on the communication boards unless the user opens it. If it's not appropriate yet, simply don't introduce it. It won't get in the way of symbol-based communication.
Does typed text go through grammar correction?
The spelling keyboard is designed for typing exactly what you want to say. Grammar correction applies to messages built on the communication boards. When you type on the keyboard, SabiKo speaks what you typed.
Can I save frequently typed words?
If you find yourself typing the same word often, consider adding it to your communication board instead. That way it's available as a one-tap symbol rather than requiring typing each time.
How the Spelling Keyboard Fits with Other SabiKo Features
- Communication boards handle everyday vocabulary through symbols. The spelling keyboard handles everything that's not on the boards.
- Word prediction appears in both contexts. On boards, it suggests next words. On the keyboard, it suggests words as you spell.
- Neural voices speak both board-composed and keyboard-typed messages with the same natural voice.
- Grammar correction works on board messages to produce natural sentences. The keyboard gives you direct control over exactly what's spoken.
- Quick Phrases handle sentences you say often. The keyboard handles sentences you've never said before.
Getting Started
- Open SabiKo and navigate to the spelling keyboard (Type to Speak)
- Try both QWERTY and ABC layouts to see which feels more natural
- Type a name or word that isn't on your communication boards
- Tap the speak button and hear it said aloud
- Notice how word predictions appear as you type, each one showing its symbol
The spelling keyboard means your child is never stuck without a word. If they can spell it, even partially, they can say it.
Download SabiKo free and try the spelling keyboard today.