I Built A Communication App for My Nonverbal ASD 3 Son
When my ASD Level 3 son, Henry, was diagnosed, one of the biggest challenges was communication. He’s completely nonverbal and doesn’t yet seem to understand spoken words — but he understands visuals.
I tried looking into AAC (augmentative and alternative communication) apps, but they were overwhelming. Either they were cluttered, expensive, or just didn’t suit the way he thinks — or the way I work. So, I built my own.
It’s called PhotoPhrase — a lightweight, visual communication app I made specifically for kids like Henry.
What PhotoPhrase Does
Assign Image
You type in a word or phrase — like “Slide” — and upload a photo from your phone, camera, or even just paste an image URL.
Create Card
Now when you type that word again, it shows up in card format. Your child sees the photo and knows exactly what you mean.
Build Photo Phrases
Type a sentence like “Swing then slide” and swipe through the photos to build a full visual message — no speech needed. It’s like texting your kid in pictures.
Save Common Phrases
If there are go-to routines, like “Time for bath” or “Let’s go outside”, you can save them and trigger the phrase instantly without retyping.
Why I Made It
Most AAC apps felt too clinical. Too many buttons, too many choices, too hard to set up. My brain was overloaded — and I could tell Henry’s would be too. So I built something minimalist and visual, just for us.
I used ChatGPT to guide me step-by-step through building the first version — and then refined it using an app called Cursor, which uses AI to help you code. I’m not a programmer, but with some patience and focus, I built a working app in a day. Anyone determined and slightly tech-minded could do the same.
The Moment That Changed Everything
One of the first times I used the app, I typed the word “bike” while showing him a picture of his trike. I said it aloud a few times as the image popped up on the screen. And then — for the first time ever — I swear he tried to say it. It sounded like “bike.” I caught it on video. I’ll link it here soon.
That alone made the whole process worth it.
Try PhotoPhrase
If you have a nonverbal child, give PhotoPhrase a try. It’s free. You’ll need to create an account so your photos and words stay saved to your profile, but that’s it — no fees, no fluff.
And if you want help building something like this for your own child — something tailored to how they see the world — I’m happy to help. I can guide you through the process or even help build it with you.
