Check out Hamaguchi Apps' free app! Perfect for autistic elementary age students and older, who need help with interpreting vocal intonation (auditory processing), facial expressions, perspective-taking, body language, and idiomatic or slang expressions. This is an intro app that has limited content to give you a sample of the Between the Lines app series.

Developed by a speech-language pathologist, the speech therapy app uses real photographs and short mini-video clips to show a variety of social situations and expressions- a dynamic way to help learn and practice interpreting messages that are “between the lines” and simply can’t be replicated with worksheets and static flashcards.

This is Level 1 Lite, which presents content that is a perfect introduction to our Between the Lines app series for parents and speech-language pathologists. This lite app provides 12 samples of each of the three activities for a total of 36 tasks and is for a single user only. (The full version provides 204 total tasks)

This app uses American expressions and body language.

There are three activities in this app:

1. Listening:/Auditory processing: ("Who said it?") The user hears a voice speak a sentence, e.g., “Ewww!” A question is then asked, “Who said it?” They are shown a series of photographs. Depending upon the settings selected, there can be 2, 3 or 4 choices shown. The user touches the correct facial expression that matches the voice. This is a great way to work on comprehending facial expressions and matching them with the voice (auditory processing), which are skills that are especially challenging for autistic children.

2. Body Language: ("What is she thinking?") A very short video-clip is shown that depicts an interaction or situation. For example, a girl is annoyed that her friend is ignoring her. The user’s task is to look at the choices of responses and select the one that matches the facial expression/body language and situation. Can you see the social cues that help figure out what this girl is thinking?

3. Expressions: ("What does that mean?") A very short video-clip is shown that depicts an actor speaking a sentence that contains an idiomatic or slang expression, e.g., “She’s kind of nosy.’” The user is then asked, “What does that mean?” Understanding slang and idiomatic expressions is especially tricky for autistic kids. This is a great way to help them learn what they mean.

The lite version is for a single user only. The percentage correct/data collection is reported for each user’s performance on each of the three activities. The user can select his/her own individual settings. Settings include: Selection of the activities, order of the activities (or random), praise phrases and correct sound effect bell on/off; answer choices (group of 2, 3 or 4), how to display choices (automatically or manually) and whether to move forward automatically or by touching an arrow. Progress can be tracked, and displayed or not displayed.

Reward animations are provided at selected intervals for a welcome fun and break. This is not a game of skill, but a fun diversion. The lite version includes one game, Darts.

*Please contact our tech support if you are experiencing any technical issues with our apps. We will always help you troubleshoot it and get back to you generally within one business day. We cannot respond to reviews and there are generally easy solutions to every issue. [email protected]

PRIVACY POLICY: We do NOT collect personal data from our users and have no ads. Personal data regarding user performance on the tasks on this app are self-contained and not transmitted in any way, unless the user chooses to email them to someone else. There are no in-app purchases in this app.


Developed by licensed and ASHA-certified speech-language pathologist and author, Patti Hamaguchi, M.A., CCC-SLP. To find out more about this app and our other upcoming projects, visit our website: www.hamaguchiapps.com