Talker Buddy Plus – a mid-tech AAC device (under $20 on Amazon)… with tips on how I customized it

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The Talker Buddy + by Special Supplies is an inexpensive mid-tech device that is available on Amazon for under $20. https://a.co/d/02GqWdvR (I am NOT affiliated with Amazon so I don’t earn anything from them. Links are shared for your convenience)

I found out about this specific model in a comment by Mariel Friedberg Knauss in this post in the AAC for the SLP Facebook group in November 2025. Be sure to look at the pics that she shared in the comments: https://www.facebook.com/groups/aacfortheslp/permalink/4376546769280709/?

This *exact model* has ten 1” x 1” recessed buttons with a built in keyguard and all ten buttons are recordable.

I created the symbols for this in TD Snap using a 7 x 11 grid, took a screenshot, cropped it, and pasted that into a Google Docs document. I printed it in black and white first, cut out a symbol to try it out, tweaked the sizing slightly so there would be room for lamination, then printed in color, cut out, laminated, cut out again leaving a small lamination border and rounded the sharp corners.

I attached the symbols to the device with clear low profile Velcro (VELCRO Brand – 91302 Thin Clear Dots with Adhesive, 5/8″ Circles: https://a.co/d/0hHjSncs). See what that look like in my video.

See my video for an in depth look at the features, pros & cons: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QaMPqoz2ZCA

Note: This company also sells a basic version that has smaller round buttons that would be difficult to add symbols to and is NOT recordable. And a Pro version that has buttons that are smaller and NOT recessed.

Lamicall Silver Cell Phone Ring (bought on Amazon, https://a.co/d/518Bgkn). I had seen a couple of folks comment about attaching these to iPad cases to add a strap and the reviews were good for the adhesive adhering strongly. I followed the instructions to clean the back of this device with an alcohol wipe – let it dry – put the ring on and held it firmly in place for several minutes. Then I let it sit for 24 hrs for the adhesive to fully set before attaching it to either strap.

I have two strap options: a wide crossbody strap and a wide lanyard.

ZOOEASS Purple Shoulder Crossbody Strap. Adjustable : max 62.5”, min 34.5” (including snap hooks), 1.5” wide. I bought on Amazon: https://a.co/d/iJ39hyp.

The wide lanyard is a Vera Bradley lanyard that I’ve had for several years.

I view this type of mid-tech device as a helpful tool in a larger AAC toolbox.

“What’s in your AAC Toolbox?” blog post I originally wrote on October 22, 2014: https://bit.ly/AnAACtoolbox

Looking for in-depth AAC feature matching resources? See this blog post: https://bit.ly/5aacFeatureMatchingResources. That post also includes videos comparing AAC apps on various devices on various platforms.

Looking for more AAC resources? Check out the AAC Resource Links page my blog: https://omazingkidsllc.com/omazing-kids-aac-resource-links

Have a question? The best way to reach me is via Facebook messaging over on my OMazing Kids page: https://www.facebook.com/OMazingKidsAAC/

Angela Moorad, MS, CCC-SLP, Founder of OMazing Kids, LLC, OMazing Kids AAC Consulting