“I downloaded five applications to work on my language. I used one for three days, then I gave up. The others, I never even opened.” Does this story sound familiar? You are not alone. The initial enthusiasm for the promises of digital applications often collides with reality: complex interfaces, unsuitable exercises, lack of visible progress, and quick demotivation.
However, when used correctly, applications can be a valuable complement to speech therapy. They offer accessible, fun, and adaptable daily training. The problem is not the applications themselves, but how to choose them and, above all, how to stick with them over the long term.
This article guides you through the world of applications for aphasia: how to identify those that truly meet your needs, how to integrate them into your routine, and how to maintain your motivation over the long haul. You will also discover concrete strategies to transform sporadic use into a lasting habit.
Why Applications Are Useful (But Don’t Do Everything)
The Undeniable Advantages
Permanent Availability: Unlike speech therapy sessions limited to a few hours per week, an application is available 24/7. You train when you feel up to it, at your own pace, as much as you want.
Generally Accessible Cost: Compared to the cost of private speech therapy sessions (not reimbursed beyond the quota), applications represent a modest investment.
Measurable Progress: Many applications track your performance, objectively showing your progress. This visualization motivates and reassures during moments of doubt.
No Judgment: In front of an application, you do not fear the gaze of others. You can make mistakes, start over, take your time without social stress.
Variety and Gamification: Exercises in the form of games maintain attention better than a classic exercise sheet. The playful aspect makes training less tedious.
Adaptability: Good applications automatically adjust the difficulty according to your performance, keeping you in an optimal zone of progression.
Limits to Be Aware Of
An application does not replace a speech therapist. Human expertise remains irreplaceable for:
- Accurately assessing your deficits
- Finely adapting exercises to your profile
- Correcting your articulation
- Adjusting therapeutic strategies
- Re-motivating you during difficult phases
- Detecting subtle progress
- Naming exercises (naming images)
- Sentence construction
- Guided articulation exercises
- Repetition of words and phrases
- Assisted language production
- Oral comprehension exercises (listening and responding)
- Word-image matching
- Following instructions
- Understanding simple texts
- Semantic categorization
- Intensive naming
- Categorization
- Semantic associations
- Guided lexical search
- Phonological and semantic cues
- Little or no written instructions
- Very simple interface
- Clear visual feedback
- Very gradual exercises
- Ability to respond by pointing
- Score evolution graphs
- Detailed statistics by type of exercise
- Performance history
- Comparison over time
- 5 min: categorization game (language)
- 5 min: visual memory game
- 5 min: attention game
- 5 min: naming game (language)
- Advise you on the games most suited to your profile
- Interpret your scores to adjust rehabilitation
- Use your progress on CLINT as an indicator of evolution
- Do your exercises while listening to your favorite music in the background (low volume)
- Prepare your favorite coffee or tea, settle in comfortably, then launch the application
- Do your exercises in your favorite chair, in your garden in the sun
- The mechanisms of neuroplasticity
- Why regular stimulation is crucial
- How to optimize cognitive recovery
- The importance of different types of exercises
- Download CLINT, your brain coach right now
- Follow the DYNSEO training to understand recovery mechanisms
- Consult the support guide to structure your routine
- Talk to your speech therapist about your plan to use an application as a complement
Generic applications are not specific to aphasia. Many “cognitive stimulation” or “brain training” applications do not specifically target language disorders. They can be useful indirectly (memory, attention) but do not directly work on aphasia.
Quality varies greatly. Not all applications are equal. Some are based on solid scientific foundations, while others are just simple games with no real therapeutic value.
The risk of cognitive overload. Multiplying applications creates confusion and mentally exhausts you. It is better to use one application regularly than to have five applications that are never opened.
Jean shares: “I realized that the application was just one tool among others. I continue my speech therapy sessions, but between sessions, I train for 15 minutes a day with my application. This combination works well.”
How to Choose the Right Application for You
Criterion 1: Does it Match Your Type of Aphasia?
Not all aphasias require the same exercises. A person with Broca’s aphasia (difficulty expressing) will benefit from different exercises than a person with Wernicke’s aphasia (difficulty understanding).
For Broca’s aphasia (difficult expression):
Favor applications offering:
For Wernicke’s aphasia (difficult comprehension):
Look for applications with:
For Anomic aphasia (word-finding difficulties):
Focus on:
For Global aphasia (severe):
Choose highly visual applications with:
Practical advice: Ask your speech therapist what type of exercises would benefit you the most. This will guide your choice of application.
Criterion 2: Is the Interface Suitable?
Test visual clarity: the application should have a stripped-down interface, without distracting elements. Large, well-spaced buttons facilitate manipulation, especially if you also have motor difficulties post-stroke.
Check the simplicity of instructions: if the instructions are too complex to understand, you will spend your time trying to grasp what is being asked rather than doing the exercise itself.
Test across multiple exercises: some applications have a simple interface for the main menu but confusing exercises. Explore several modules before judging.
Beware of information overload: too much text, too many colors, too many animations create counterproductive cognitive fatigue.
Claire shares: “I tried a well-known application, but the interface completely confused me. Too many menus, too many options. I found a simpler application, maybe less comprehensive, but one that I can actually use. That’s the one I use every day now.”
Criterion 3: Does It Offer Adaptive Progression?
Automatic adaptation is crucial. A good application analyzes your performance and adjusts the difficulty accordingly. If you succeed easily, it becomes more complex. If you struggle, it simplifies.
Avoid applications with fixed levels where you have to “unlock” levels. This video game system creates frustration when a level blocks your progress.
Check the granularity of progression: the application should offer many intermediate levels, not just “easy / medium / hard”.
Test over several sessions: use the application for a week to see if it truly adapts to your progress or stagnates in the same exercises.
Criterion 4: Does It Provide Progress Tracking?
Visualizing progress is highly motivating. Look for applications offering:
Being able to objectively see that you are making progress, even slowly, is a powerful motivator. In moments of discouragement, reviewing your scores from two months ago reminds you of the journey you have taken.
Beware of applications with no tracking: you will never know if you are progressing or stagnating.
Criterion 5: Practical Ergonomics
Offline version: an application that constantly requires an internet connection limits usage possibilities.
Compatibility with your devices: check that the application works on your hardware (smartphone, tablet, computer). A tablet often offers a better experience than a small phone screen.
Data backup: your progress should be automatically saved. Losing all your progress due to a bug is demotivating.
Responsive customer support: in case of technical issues, can you quickly contact someone?
Regular updates: a well-maintained application evolves, fixes bugs, and adds features.
Criterion 6: Cost and Business Model
Free applications: often limited in content or containing intrusive ads. They may be suitable for starting and testing.
One-time purchase: you pay once, and you have the application for life. An honest model, but sometimes updates stop after a few years.
Monthly/annual subscription: recurring cost but generally rich content that is regularly enriched. Assess if the cost is sustainable in the long term.
Free trial: prefer applications that offer a trial period (7 to 30 days). You can really test before committing financially.
Value for money: a €50 application used daily for a year costs 14 cents per day. A free but unusable application is worth nothing. Price alone should not be the deciding factor.
CLINT: The Reference Application for Cognitive Stimulation
Why CLINT Stands Out for Aphasia
The CLINT program developed by DYNSEO is not specifically an aphasia application, but a comprehensive cognitive stimulation program. However, it has major advantages for people with aphasia:
More than 30 varied games working on different cognitive functions, many of which engage language: naming, categorization, semantic associations, comprehension, verbal memory.
Clear and intuitive interface: menus are simple, instructions are visual, and manipulation is easy. You spend your time playing, not figuring out how to navigate.
Automatic level adaptation: CLINT adjusts difficulty based on your performance. You remain constantly in an optimal challenge zone, not too easy (boring), nor too difficult (discouraging).
Detailed performance tracking: evolution graphs, statistics by game, temporal comparison. You can concretely visualize your progress.
Holistic approach: by also working on memory, attention, reasoning, CLINT stimulates all cognitive functions, which indirectly benefits language.
Effective gamification: the games are enjoyable, the graphics are pleasing, and the feedback is encouraging. Training does not feel like a chore.
Usable on tablet and smartphone: adaptable to your preferences and situations.
How to Integrate CLINT into Your Routine
Option 1: Daily Session of 15-20 Minutes
Schedule a fixed time slot each day (ideally in the morning when your brain is fresh). Vary the games to stimulate different skills.
Example of a session:
Option 2: Multiple Short Sessions
If 15 minutes in a row is tiring, break it up: 5 minutes in the morning, 5 minutes in the afternoon, 5 minutes in the evening.
Option 3: Complementarity with Other Exercises
Use CLINT in addition to your structured speech exercises (see our article on daily exercises): 15 min of classic exercises + 10 min of CLINT.
The important thing: consistency, not perfection. Better to do 10 minutes every day than 1 hour on Sunday.
The Most Useful CLINT Games for Aphasia
Without revealing all the games (discover them by using the application), here are the types of exercises particularly relevant:
Categorization games: classifying items by category stimulates your semantic networks, facilitating access to vocabulary.
Verbal memory games: memorizing words, lists strengthens language connections.
Association games: linking concepts works on essential semantic connections for lexical retrieval.
Selective attention games: improving attention benefits all cognitive functions, including language.
Sophie, a CLINT user for 9 months, shares: “At first, I focused only on language games. Then I realized that the other games also helped me indirectly. Now I vary, and overall my language is improving. As a bonus, my memory and concentration are better too.”
Combining CLINT with Speech Therapy
Talk to your speech therapist about CLINT. They can:
CLINT does not replace the speech therapist but creates a bridge between sessions, keeping your brain active and stimulated.
Other Useful Applications (According to Your Specific Needs)
Naming and Vocabulary Applications
Tactus Therapy (paid, primarily in English): a complete suite of applications specifically designed for aphasia. Excellent but the English interface may be a barrier.
Oral Language Written Language (LOLE): a French application developed by speech therapists, focused on language. Simple interface, varied exercises.
Proper Names: an application specifically targeting the retrieval of names of people, places, a category often difficult in aphasia.
Alternative Communication Applications
Grid Player (free): customizable communication boards with images and voice synthesis. Useful for severe aphasias.
Proloquo2Go (paid, expensive): a very comprehensive AAC (Augmentative Alternative Communication) application. Significant investment but a powerful tool.
Talk Around It (paid): helps with communication through circumlocution strategies when the word does not come.
Reading Applications
Infolitt: an application facilitating reading for people with aphasia, with adjustments for speed, fonts, and spacing.
French Sign Language (LSF): for some severe aphasias, learning LSF gestures can complement communication.
General Cognitive Stimulation Applications
Lumosity: brain training games, not specific to aphasia but working on memory, attention, reasoning.
Peak: similar to Lumosity, playful interface, varied exercises.
NeuroNation: a German cognitive stimulation application, scientifically validated.
Attention: these generic applications do not directly target language. CLINT remains more suitable for people with aphasia seeking comprehensive cognitive stimulation including language.
Meditation and Stress Management Applications
Do not underestimate the impact of stress on your language. Relaxation applications can indirectly improve your communication.
Petit Bambou: guided meditation in French, accessible to beginners.
Respirelax: heart coherence guide, an excellent anti-stress technique.
Insight Timer: free guided meditations, a very wide variety.
How to Stick with It: Strategies for Sustainable Motivation
Why We Give Up (And How to Avoid It)
Reason 1: No Established Routine
Solution: Anchor the application in an existing routine. “Every morning after breakfast, I do my 15 minutes of CLINT” is more effective than “I will do this when I have time.”
Use your phone reminders: a daily notification at a fixed time reminds you of your commitment.
Reason 2: Invisible Progress
Solution: Regularly check your statistics. Create a paper chart where you note your scores each week. Seeing the curve rise, even slowly, motivates.
Keep a logbook: “Today, I succeeded in an exercise that blocked me last week”; “This week, I did my exercises 6 days out of 7, I am proud of myself.”
Reason 3: Exercises Too Difficult or Too Easy
Solution: Manually adjust the level if automatic adaptation is not enough. Contact the application support if necessary.
Alternate difficult exercises with easier ones in the same session to avoid total frustration or complete boredom.
Reason 4: Feeling of Isolation
Solution: Share your results with your loved ones. “Look, my score has increased again this week!” Their pride and encouragement fuel your motivation.
Join online groups of people with aphasia using the same application. Collective emulation helps.
Reason 5: Fatigue
Solution: Vary the games in the application. Do not always do the same ones.
Change the environment: sometimes in the living room, sometimes in the garden, sometimes at the café.
Establish micro-rewards: after your session, treat yourself to a nice coffee, 10 minutes of your favorite series, a piece of chocolate.
Reason 6: Unrealistic Goals
Solution: Aim for 5-10 minutes daily at first, not 1 hour. Once the habit is established (after 2-3 weeks), gradually increase if you wish.
Celebrate regularity more than performance. Doing 10 minutes every day is a bigger victory than doing 2 hours on a Sunday and then giving up.
The 21-Day Method
Neuroscientists estimate that it takes about 21 days of daily practice for a new habit to begin to take root. Create a visual calendar:
Print a calendar for the month. Each day you use your application, color the box. The goal: 21 colored boxes in a row. You will see your chain of days build up, and you won’t want to break it.
Marc shares: “The first 10 days were tough. I forced myself. By the 15th day, it became more natural. After the 21st day, I felt strange on the rare days I didn’t do my exercises. It had become automatic.”
The Sponsorship System
Find a “sponsor”: a close friend, a family member, another person with aphasia. This person regularly checks that you continue your exercises, encourages you during difficult times, celebrates your progress.
Some people even create a penalty/reward system: “If I don’t do my exercises 5 days this week, I’ll give €20 to a charity. If I do them every day, I’ll treat myself to that book I want.”
The 2-Minute Rule
Created by author James Clear, this rule states: reduce your goal to something doable in 2 minutes or less.
Instead of “I will do 15 minutes of exercises,” tell yourself “I will just open the application and do ONE exercise.” Often, once the application is open and the first exercise is done, you continue naturally.
This technique bypasses procrastination by making the start ridiculously easy.
Combine with Other Activities
Create Positive Associations:
These pleasant contexts make the activity more attractive.
Training to Maximize the Use of Applications
Understanding Recovery to Stay Motivated
When you understand how the brain recovers, you better accept plateaus and persevere during difficult moments.
The DYNSEO Training on Stroke explains:
This knowledge transforms your practice: you no longer do your exercises “because you were told to” but because you understand why it works.
Supporting Resources
The post-stroke support guide also offers strategies to maintain motivation over the long term and structure your daily rehabilitation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Applications
Q: How long before I see results?
A: This varies greatly depending on the person and the severity of the aphasia. Some notice improvements after 2-3 weeks of daily use. For others, it takes several months. The key is to not evaluate only in the short term. Recovery is a marathon.
Q: Can I use multiple applications at the same time?
A: It is better to use one application regularly than three applications sporadically. Start with one. Once the habit is well established (after 2-3 months), you can possibly add another if you feel the need to diversify.
Q: How much time per day should I practice?
A: 15 to 20 minutes daily represents a good balance of effectiveness/feasibility. If that’s too much, start with 5-10 minutes and gradually increase.
Q: What if I miss several days in a row?
A: Don’t feel guilty, just pick it back up. Guilt paralyzes and worsens abandonment. Analyze what caused the interruption and adjust: maybe the time of day wasn’t optimal, or maybe the duration was too long?
Q: Can the application replace my speech therapist?
A: No, absolutely not. The application complements speech therapy; it does not replace it. The human expertise of a speech therapist remains irreplaceable.
Q: My speech therapist doesn’t know the application I’m using, is that a problem?
A: Not necessarily. Introduce the application to them, show them the types of exercises, your statistics. They can tell you if it meets your needs and possibly advise you on which modules to prioritize.
Q: I’m not comfortable with technology, is this for me anyway?
A: Modern applications are designed to be intuitive. Ask a loved one to accompany you during the first 3-4 uses. Once you understand the mechanism, you will be independent. Don’t deprive yourself of a useful tool due to technological apprehension.
Checklist: Are You Ready to Use an Application Sustainably?
Before downloading yet another application, assess your preparation:
☐ I have identified a fixed daily time slot for my exercises (e.g., 9:00-9:15 every morning)
☐ I have scheduled a daily reminder on my phone
☐ I have chosen ONE application suitable for my profile (not five)
☐ I have created a visual calendar to track my regularity
☐ I have informed my loved ones of my commitment so they can encourage me
☐ I have set a realistic goal (e.g., 21 consecutive days of 10 minutes)
☐ I have prepared my “reward” after reaching the goal
☐ I have thought about where I will do my exercises (quiet, comfortable place)
☐ I have accepted that progress will be slow but real with consistency
If you check fewer than 5 boxes, work on these points before starting. Good preparation multiplies your chances of success.
Conclusion: Technology at the Service of Your Recovery
Applications are neither miracle solutions nor useless gadgets. They are tools, and like any tool, their effectiveness depends on how you use them.
A quality application like CLINT, used regularly, with realistic goals, in addition to speech therapy, can truly make a difference in your recovery.
The key is not in the number of applications downloaded, but in your commitment to use the one(s) you have chosen.
15 minutes a day. Every day. With a suitable application. It’s within your reach. And in the long term, these minutes accumulate into hours, days, months of cognitive stimulation that build, neuron by neuron, your recovery.
Start small. Stay consistent. Adjust along the way. Celebrate every progress.
Modern digital tools put rehabilitation in your pocket. It’s up to you to seize this opportunity and turn it into a lasting habit, measurable progress, and improved communication.
Your brain has a remarkable capacity to heal itself. Give it the means to do so. A well-chosen application, used daily, is one of those means.
So tomorrow, don’t just read this article. Take action:
1. Choose your application (CLINT is an excellent starting point)
2. Define your daily time slot
3. Create your tracking calendar
4. Schedule your reminder
5. Start your 21 days
Three weeks later, the habit will be established. Three months later, you will see progress. A year later, you will look back and be proud of the journey you have taken.
It all starts with a decision, a download, a first exercise. The rest will follow, day after day, minute after minute.
Your recovery awaits you in your smartphone. It’s time to start it.
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