Eight-year-old Cian Scully uses a tablet to help him communicate.

Speech therapists at All Children's Outpatient Care in Pasco County are implementing a communication application to help give non-verbal children a voice.

Using the SoundingBoard app, Cian picks a play activity during therapy.

Children learn to use the touch screen to communicate by the words repeated back.

Speech therapist Cara Babon loads vocabulary words to customize each child's therapy.

"Typically we start with requesting things that they'd like, things that they need but it opens the door for every type of communication, answering questions, asking questions, making comments," said Babon.

Cian has autism and has been using the app for about a year.

Mother Karen Scully said her son's communication skills are improving.

"It's something every parent of course wants in a situation like this (tearing up) any small amount,” said Karen. “It’s just unexplainable."

Crystal Deyo’s son, 2-year-old Xander, is also in therapy. Xander is developmentally delayed. The app was incorporated into Xander's therapy about a month ago.

Crystal says he's already more vocal.

"It means so much to actually have your son communicate and you know exactly what he wants," said Deyo.

"Just to be able to have your child tell you yes or no, you think it's a small thing but in our world, it's huge," said Karen.