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I Need Help

These are some of the common questions families may have when they first start using VOIS. Open the question that sounds most like what is happening for you.

1. My child keeps leaving VOIS to open another app

This can happen when a child already associates the phone or tablet with games, videos or another favourite app. It does not mean VOIS cannot work for them.

Create a Clearer Communication Space

Some devices can be restricted so that a child stays inside one app. If possible, another option is to use a separate phone or tablet for VOIS so that the device becomes more clearly associated with communication.

If your child leaves VOIS, calmly return to it when communication is needed. Try not to turn it into a battle.

Tip: Device restrictions or a separate communication device can help create a clearer distinction between communication and entertainment.

2. My child is pressing lots of buttons

Pressing lots of buttons can simply be part of exploring a new board. Your child may be looking at pictures, listening to sounds, learning cause and effect or trying to understand what the different cards do.

Repeatedly pressing the same button can also happen for different reasons. Rather than immediately correcting it, look at what is happening around the child and whether the selection seems connected to the moment.

If the sound itself is the focus

If a recorded voice appears to be distracting your child, you can temporarily use the picture without a voice recording, or use the same image as a printed communication card. The voice can be added again later if it becomes helpful.

Tip: Exploration is part of learning. Model what the words mean rather than constantly saying “No, not that one”.

3. My child is not interested in VOIS yet

Some children need time to become familiar with a new communication system. Start with things that already matter to your child: favourite people, foods, toys, activities or places.

Where possible, use real photos of familiar items. Keep the board simple and model VOIS during activities your child already enjoys. If they are not interested in that moment, do not force the interaction; try again later.

Tip: Start with what your child already loves.

4. The board feels too busy

It is easy to keep adding cards because you want your child to have every possible communication opportunity. But a large board can become difficult to scan and navigate.

Try simplifying it. You might begin with one or two useful categories, a few meaningful cards in each, and a small number of core words. VOIS can grow gradually as your child becomes familiar with it.

You can rename or delete categories, remove cards and add vocabulary again later. Nothing has to be permanent.

Tip: If the board feels overwhelming to you, it may feel overwhelming to your child too. Start simple and build from there.

5. I’m not sure which words to add

The best place to start is small. Choose words your child can use often and words that matter to them personally.

Useful everyday starting words may include Help, Stop, No, Yes, Go and More. Then add a few personal words such as favourite foods, familiar people, favourite toys, activities or places.

It can be tempting to fill the board immediately. Try not to add too much at once. Start with a few useful words, model them regularly and add more as your child becomes familiar with the board.

If you are unsure, ask your child’s speech therapist which words they are currently working on so that home and therapy can stay aligned.

Tip: Start with words your child can use often and words that matter to them personally.

6. My child uses some speech. Should we still use VOIS?

Yes. VOIS was never created to replace speech. It gives your child another way to communicate when speech alone is not enough.

Some children speak comfortably in one environment but find communication more difficult in another. Speech can also become harder when a child is tired, overwhelmed, anxious, frustrated or under social or communication pressure.

Use VOIS alongside speech

If your child speaks, listen and respond to their speech. If speech becomes difficult, unclear or unavailable in that moment, VOIS gives them another option. A child may use speech at one moment, a gesture at another and VOIS when they need it.

Respond to whichever communication method they use. Your child’s speech therapist can help guide how VOIS and spoken language work together.

Tip: VOIS supports speech. It will never replace it.

7. A photo, card or voice recording is wrong

One of the benefits of VOIS is that your board is easy to change. If a photo, card name, voice recording or category is wrong, you do not need to rebuild everything.

You can delete and replace a photo, rename a card, re-record the voice, remove a card that is no longer needed or add it again in the correct category.

If one card is wrong, fix that card. If one picture needs updating, replace that picture. The rest of the category can stay exactly as it is.

If you need help with the steps, go back to Add Your Own Photos, Record Familiar Voices or Organise Your Board.

Tip: VOIS is designed to be flexible. You can update one card at a time without starting over.

This section can grow with families. As new questions come up in everyday use, we can add them here rather than trying to predict every possible issue now.