What we make
Dawn speaks symbol selections, typed messages and saved phrases. You can use a built-in voice, or have Dawn build one on the device from about eight seconds of recorded speech. Speech runs on the iPhone or iPad, and nothing is uploaded. We started Dawn to give people who use AAC better-sounding speech without sending what they say to a server.
Dawn is a paid subscription, billed by Apple. We don't take advertising, and no one pays to be mentioned on this site.
How we write these guides
The guides on this site are written for families, partners and AAC users, not for clinicians. They explain research findings and professional guidance in plain language, including where the evidence is limited.
- SourcesFactual claims link to their source: peer-reviewed studies, systematic reviews, professional bodies such as the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), and official government pages for funding. We prefer reviews over single studies and recent work over old, and we say when evidence is limited.
- CheckingWe check numbers and factual claims against the paper or page they cite before publishing. If we can't find a reliable source for something, we leave it out.
- Not yet reviewed by a speech-language pathologistWe don't have a clinician on staff, and these guides haven't yet had clinical review. We're looking for speech-language pathologists and AAC specialists to review our guides. If that's you, please write to [email protected]. When a guide has been reviewed, it will name the reviewer and the date.
- DatedEvery guide shows when it was last updated. We revisit them as new research comes out.
- Our interestWe make an AAC app, and these pages are on its website. Dawn doesn't treat any medical condition, and where free or low-cost options exist, we mention them.
Not medical advice
Nothing on this site is a diagnosis or a treatment plan. A speech-language pathologist (speech and language therapist in the UK and Ireland) can assess a person's communication and recommend what fits them. If you're worried about a child's speech, start with your doctor or health visitor.
Corrections
If you find a mistake, an out-of-date fact or a broken source link, email [email protected]. We'll fix it and update the page's date.
Contact
- Help with the app: the support page or [email protected].
- Everything else, including reviewing our guides: [email protected].
- Press: the press kit.