For many AAC users, this is a good balance. Speaking each button gives auditory feedback that can be useful to new users. It can also help keep listeners engaged. Not speaking folder and navigation buttons means that the listener only hears words that are part of the message.

However, some users prefer to only speak a message once it is complete. This can help prevent conversation partners from responding too soon. For other users, auditory feedback when choosing folder and navigation buttons might be helpful.

You can change which buttons speak when tapped in the Speech and Language Options.

  1. Go to Options* Options icon at the far right of the bottom toolbar.
  2. Go to Speech and Language.
  3. Under Speech Feedback, tap Speak Buttons.
  4. The default setting is Message Buttons. Choose None if you only want to speak using the message window. Choose All to speak all buttons, including folder and navigation buttons.

Buttons still speaking when set not to

There are two reasons message and/or folder buttons may keep speaking despite your Speak Buttons setting.

First, if you have Speak Buttons set to Message Buttons, a folder button will speak if its Text to Speak field is not empty. To check and fix this:

  1. Tap the Edit Edit icon button in the bottom toolbar to open Edit Mode.
  2. Tap the folder button that speaks to select it.
  3. In the Basics section, delete any text in the top (Text-to-Speak) field.
  4. Tap Done to exit Edit Mode.

If you have Speak Buttons set to None, buttons will still speak if they have a Speak Text Immediately action. You can change this to an Add Text to Message action to make the button send text to the message window instead. For more information, see Add to or change a button’s actions.

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*On iPhone and iPod touch, you will find the Options button in the Tools popup at the far left of the bottom toolbar.