Don’t Settle for Silence: APP2Speak + Control Bionics’ Assistive Technology Devices Offer a Unique Solution for Progressive Diseases

There are many different ways that people can have their ability to communicate compromised, and as a practicing Speech Language Pathologist, I’ve seen them all.

The most devastating situations, of course, come when someone doesn’t just lose their ability to speak, but also their ability to think like they used to be able to do. This can occur suddenly, as the result of a stroke or serious brain injury, or slowly, as is the case with Alzheimer’s disease or frontotemporal dementia.

But there are many other situations where the person loses their ability to speak, but they’re still mentally sharp. This can occur with progressive diseases such as ALS, Parkinson’s Disease, Cerebral Palsy, Spinal Muscular Atrophy, and Motor Neuron Disease (MND).

In these cases, the person has just as much to say as they did before the onset of their condition and just as great a need to be involved socially with friends and family, but their condition slowly steals away their ability to interact.

It’s situations like these that drove me to create APP2Speak, an app for people who can’t talk that allows them to communicate either by touching photos connected to recorded words or sentences or by using the app’s custom pages feature, or the text to speech functionality.

With APP2Speak, someone whose voice had been silenced is able to once again interact fully with those around them. I’m proud to say that it has literally changed many lives for the better!

And now, APP2Speak has partnered with Control Bionics to take assistive technology to an entirely new level, combining the power of multiple assistive technology devices to continue to support communication for individuals as their diseases progress.

The Enemy: Silence

I’ve seen it too many times—that slow shift from being part of the conversation to just sitting on the sidelines. At first, it’s little things. You try to speak, but your words don’t come out the way you expect. Maybe you stumble over syllables or find yourself hesitating, searching for the right word, but it doesn’t come fast enough.

Then, as your condition progresses, these moments become more frequent. You notice that family members and friends start filling in your sentences for you, or worse, they stop waiting altogether. You’ve got something to say, but the time to say it passes before you can even form the words.

And it’s not just frustrating. It’s scary. The fear of losing your ability to connect, to express yourself. The fear of watching your relationships slip away as you sit quietly, unable to participate the way you used to. Your thoughts are there, but they’re trapped, and it feels like every day that trap tightens a little more.

You might even wonder, “How long until I won’t be able to speak at all? And what will I do then?” It’s a question that weighs heavily on your mind. And the more you think about it, the heavier it gets.

That’s the heart of the problem. You see your voice fading, but YOU are still here—still sharp, still wanting to share your thoughts, still wanting to communicate. It’s not that you don’t have something to say. It’s that the words won’t come when you need them. And it feels like it’s only going to get worse.

The Root Cause of the Problem

The truth is that most people who’ve never dealt with a progressive neuromuscular disease, or never worked with someone with such a disease like I have, don’t understand what it’s like. They look at you and see that you can no longer communicate as well as you used to. It takes longer to have a conversation. And it’s possible that they start to believe that you’re no longer the smart, funny, and capable person you once were.

But the thing is, it’s not your mind that’s failing you—it’s your body. When you have a progressive disease like ALS, Parkinson’s, or even something like aphasia after a stroke, the issue is with how your brain communicates with the muscles that allow you to speak.

Speaking isn’t just about forming words in your mind. It’s a highly complex dance of muscles, nerves, and signals. Your brain tells your vocal cords, lips, and tongue to move in just the right way to produce sound. But when your condition starts to interfere with that process, the signals get jumbled or lost altogether.

Think of it like trying to have a conversation over a bad telephone connection. You know exactly what you want to say, but the message keeps cutting out before it reaches the other side. That’s what’s happening in your body. The signals from your brain aren’t making it to your muscles, or if they do, they arrive distorted and delayed. And with progressive diseases, this disruption only gets worse over time.

What’s so frustrating is that your brain is still perfectly capable of creating thoughts and forming those thoughts into language. The problem isn’t that you can’t think of the right words. It’s that your body can’t get them out. The disconnect between your sharp mind and your faltering muscles is at the root of this problem.

So, where does that leave you? If the physical act of speaking is no longer reliable, does that mean communication is gone for good?

Not at all!

APP2Speak + Control Bionics = The Solution You’ve Been Hoping For

Just because your muscles aren’t cooperating doesn’t mean you have to stay silent. That’s where APP2Speak and Control Bionics come in—two technologies working together to make sure your voice is never lost, even if your body can’t speak for you.

APP2Speak is one of the best AAC apps for adults who can’t speak. It’s a true game-changer that helps you communicate without needing to rely on spoken words. It’s a customizable tool that gives you a way to express yourself, whether it’s through pre-programmed phrases, photos, or even text-to-speech.

And the real beauty of this app is that it adapts to you. You can set it up with common phrases you use every day, so when the words won’t come, you’ve already got them right there at your fingertips. Need to ask for a glass of water or tell someone you love them? It’s all just a tap away.

But what happens when even using your hands to control an app gets difficult? That’s where Control Bionics steps in.

Control Bionics takes assistive technology to the next level by allowing you to control communication devices with even the smallest physical movements—or none at all. We’re talking about technology that can pick up on the tiniest muscle twitches or even neural signals. If your hands aren’t able to tap a screen anymore, you can still use Control Bionics to stay in the conversation.

Let’s say you’ve got limited mobility in your hands but can still blink or make small facial movements. Control Bionics’ devices can detect those movements and translate them into commands on a screen. You can “speak” without ever needing to say a word.

Imagine being able to still communicate your thoughts, ask questions, and share your feelings—without relying on the muscles that are no longer working the way they should.

So, people who have been diagnosed with a progressive neurological disease can use APP2Speak in the earlier stages of their disease’s progression. And when using their fingers and hands to give commands to the app becomes difficult or impossible, they can use the extra help of the Control Bionics technology to continue to use the app without a hitch.

Together, APP2Speak and Control Bionics create a powerful solution for those facing progressive diseases. The app gives you a voice, and the assistive technology ensures you can keep using it even as your physical condition changes. It’s about keeping your voice alive, no matter what happens to your body!

Next Steps

Now that you know there’s a solution, how do you make it part of your life? The answer: step by step. Let’s break it down.

Step 1: Download APP2Speak

It starts with downloading the app and getting comfortable with it. The setup is simple, and it’s designed to be intuitive. You can customize it with photos, phrases, and voices that make sense for you. Need a specific phrase for something you say often? You can add it with just a few clicks.

The goal here is to make the app reflect your unique way of communicating, so it feels natural when you use it. Spend some time experimenting with the app and see how it fits into your day-to-day conversations. It might take a little practice, but once you get the hang of it, it’s like having your voice back.

Step 2: Integrate Control Bionics

If your condition is advanced or progressing quickly, this is where Control Bionics can make a huge difference. Start by working with a specialist to find the right assistive device for your needs. Control Bionics offers a range of options, from wearable devices to systems that respond to the smallest movements. If you can move a finger, blink, or even just flex a muscle slightly, Control Bionics can translate that movement into a command on a screen. It’s a whole new level of communication freedom.

Step 3: Practice Makes Perfect

Like anything new, using APP2Speak and Control Bionics assistive technology devices takes some getting used to. Don’t expect to be perfect right away. Take it slow, practice using the app or device in different situations, and give yourself time to adjust.

Start with simple conversations at home. Maybe use it to ask for something at the dinner table or share how your day went. As you get more comfortable, you’ll find that communicating through these tools becomes second nature.?

Step 4: Involve Your Support System

Communication isn’t just about you—it’s about your relationships, too. Bring your family, friends, and caregivers into the process. Show them how to use APP2Speak and explain how Control Bionics works. When everyone’s on the same page, it makes communication smoother and less frustrating.

You’re not doing this alone. The people who care about you want to help, and this technology gives them a way to stay connected with you as your condition changes.

Step 5: Stay Engaged

The most important thing is to keep using these tools. The more you engage with them, the more they’ll become a seamless part of your life. They’re there to help you stay in the conversation, no matter how tough things get physically.

Don’t let the progression of your disease dictate when you stop talking. With APP2Speak and Control Bionics, you can maintain control of your voice.

Holding on to Your Voice with the Right Assistive Technology

If you’re feeling that tight knot in your chest, that fear creeping in that soon, your voice will be silenced—know that you’re not alone. It’s natural to feel anxious, even scared.?

But here’s the thing—you’re still here. You’ve got a mind full of ideas, emotions, jokes, stories, and things to say. And guess what? You don’t have to let your body decide when you stop being part of the conversation. Not anymore.

There are tools, like APP2Speak and Control Bionics, that are here to make sure your voice doesn’t go quiet, even if your muscles aren’t cooperating. These aren’t just pieces of technology; they’re lifelines. They’re the bridge between where you are now and where you want to be—connected, involved, and still you.

Every time you use them, you’re taking back control. You’re saying, “I’m not done yet.” You’re refusing to settle for silence.

Remember, your voice matters, and the world needs to hear what you have to say. So don’t let fear or frustration rob you of that. Take the leap. Use the tools available to you. Stay in the conversation. And most importantly, keep talking. Because your story isn’t over—it’s just getting started.

To take that first step, head over to the Contact page and fill out the form. We’ll get right back to you to answer all your questions.