News & Stories
ALS and Communication: Commons Terms and Tools
Note: This article was edited on 7/18/2025 for clarity and to provide additional resources.
Did you know? Assistive technology is any item, product, or system that supports a person’s ability to function in daily life—including in speech and communication.
There are many terms under the umbrella of assistive technology that sound very similar. For example, what is the difference between Voice Banking and Message Banking? What digital tools are available to make communication easier? Find out more below!
Common Terms
Voice Banking: Voice Banking involves recording phrases to create a computerized voice that sounds like you. The voice can later be used on a phone, tablet, or computer and can be used with or in place of speech. Your banked voice can speak new words and phrases, even if you didn’t record them.
Voice Cloning: Voice Cloning involves recording phrases or using recordings to create a computerized voice that sounds like you. Voice Clones use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to make a voice that is usually better quality than a banked voice.
Message Banking: Message Banking involves recording specific messages that are played back exactly as they were recorded. Message banking is often used to capture highly emotional and personal phrases like “I love you”, laughter, and family names.
Helpful Organizations
Bridging Voice: Bridging Voice is a nonprofit that helps people with ALS communicate and stay connected through assistive technology, training, and support. They provide amazing assistance to people with ALS as well as the speech pathologists in our Oregon and SW Washington community. They have regular webinars which can be found on YouTube, like this one about finding the best communication tool for you.
Team Gleason: Team Gleason brings assistive technology, equipment, and robust support services to ALS patients. People commonly use them to loan equipment such as portable lightweight power wheelchairs, speech generating devices (or assistance paying for your own device), financial support for voice banking, and much more. To apply for their help, you must complete this application. If you have any questions on the application, please reach out to ALS Northwest staff member Ashley Loyning.
Common Text-to-Speech Apps for Phones & Tablets
The apps listed below allow you to type a message and speak it out loud, also known as text-to-speech. Other features include the ability to save words and phrases as well as predictive text, where the app gives suggestions based on what you type.
Speech Assistant AAC: It is available for free on Android and is about $25 on Apple.
Grid for iPad: Free for 30 days and then options to pay a one-time fee or a monthly subscription.
TD Snap: Free for 30 days and then a monthly subscription available for iPad.
Assistive Technology Research and Development
Neuralink: This is a Brain Computer Interface currently being studied, which works through an implant in a person’s brain. Watch this video to learn more about Neuralink’s design, surgical process, technical components, and real-world impact. You can also watch this interview with the first person to use Neuralink. Note that Neuralink is not currently available to the public, but is one example of the kind of assistive technology being explored by researchers.
Remember, ALS Northwest is here to help you navigate your specific speech and communication needs.
Reach out to our Assistive Technology Services Coordinator to find the right tools for you: 503-765-7635 or ashley.loyning@alsnorthwest.org.