I just launched TalkThisWay.ai, and I wanted to take a moment to share what that really means.
This has been a long journey.
It started with a simple but deeply important idea - that everyone should have a way to express what they are thinking, in their own words.
For my son Danyal, and for many others, the challenge has never been understanding language. It has been getting those thoughts out - clearly, naturally, and in a way that feels true to them.
That gap is what led to my idea for TalkThisWay.ai.
From Version 1 to Something Bigger
The first version of this was something I built for Danyal.
It wasn't a product. It wasn't a business. It was simply a way to help him communicate more independently.
And it worked.
Seeing him begin to express himself more clearly - to get his thoughts out in a way that felt more natural - was a turning point. It showed me that there was a different way to approach AAC.
But something else became clear as well.
This wasn't just about Danyal.
There are many people - including those with apraxia, aphasia, and those recovering from stroke - who understand language, but struggle to express themselves. Existing tools didn't always match how they think or communicate.
That's when the idea grew.
Rebuilding for Scale
The next step was taking that initial concept and rebuilding it properly.
Version 2 is not just an iteration - it's a full rebuild designed to make this approach scalable, usable, and accessible to others.
That meant turning something personal into something that could work reliably for many users, across different needs and situations.
On April 2nd, we launched that version into the world.
The initial plan was simple - make it free for the month of April, let people try it, learn from real usage, and take it from there.
A Shift in Direction
But something changed very quickly.
Within the first week, it became clear that this shouldn't be something people have to pay for.
I don't want to charge people to speak.
The whole purpose of TalkThisWay.ai is captured in the tagline:
Empowering every voice, one sentence at a time.
If that's the mission, then access matters.
So the goal now is to keep TalkThisWay.ai free for as long as possible - ideally, permanently.
At the moment, I am covering the operating costs myself. Over time, I'll be exploring ways to support those costs without putting a barrier in front of users. That may include things like merchandise and other optional ways to support the platform.
Merch is already in the works.
But the priority remains the same: Get this tool into the hands of people who need it.
How to Use TalkThisWay.ai Effectively
Because this is a different approach to AAC, I've created a short video to show how to use it properly and get the best results.
If you are new to the app, I strongly recommend watching this first. It makes a big difference.
💡 Pro Tip
One of the most important things to understand is that TalkThisWay.ai works best when you give it a little bit of context.
In most cases, that means using two or three meaningful words, not just one.
Those words act as clues, helping the system shape a sentence that reflects what the user actually wants to say.
If you only enter a single word, the system has to guess too much - and the result may not feel right. But when you give it the right level of context, the results can be surprisingly accurate and natural.
If you've tried it and it didn't quite work the way you expected, please try again using that approach. It usually makes a big difference.
I Value Your Feedback
There is a feedback option in the app - please use it.
Send feedback, suggestions, improvements, success stories, questions - anything.
I read every message.
Whether something worked well, didn't work, or could be improved, it all helps shape what this becomes.
I'm also working on a Facebook user group so parents, families, and users can share experiences and ideas. That will be coming soon.
Share With Others
Finally, if you know someone who may benefit from trying TalkThisWay.ai - whether due to autism, apraxia, aphasia, stroke, or another condition affecting speech - please share it with them.
This approach won't be right for everyone.
But for the right person, it can make a real difference.
This has always been the goal.
To build something that helps people express themselves more freely, more naturally, and more independently - and to make sure it is accessible to the people who need it most.
Thank you again for being part of this early stage.
- Asif
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