Technology can
really help you dealing with autistic children. There are some handy apps for
those suffering from ASD – AutismSpectrum Disorders – in order to improve their skills in such simple and
fun ways. These iPad apps are mostly using friendly interface, along with the touch
and visual features that are mostly accessible, engaging, and also intuitive –
making these kids have really enjoyable times. When you have these iPad apps, these
children can learn a lot, and they can also build the needed skills for their
daily activities.
Dr. Katharina Boser, an expert’s psychologist in autism, claims that these iPad apps
can be beneficial for both the therapists as well as the students. It is
interesting and wonderful having relatively affordable apps for those who need
it. I’d say that these apps really help. A lot. In
the past, these kinds of communication devices could cost thousands of dollars,
and when I can get them for less than $100, I’d say that it is such a great
bargain. Mother who struggling with kids’ autism, this great advancement means
a lot. Not only these iPad apps are easier and more economical to purchase, they are
easily accessed by parents like me and also therapists.
Here are the
lists of top 10 iPad apps that can help developing self-expression, socialisation, and
communication. The great thing about them is that each app focuses on certain
skills. Most of them are provided for iPad and only some are intended for
Android:
1. Proloquo2Go. You have to pay quite a lot for this iPad app (around $190), but
it is truly worthy. If your kids have problems with natural speech, using this
app can help a lot. My kid uses pictures and symbols to communicate his ideas
and thoughts. It also incorporates touch-based keyboard, so it can also be used
for writing. Another cool thing about this app – in my opinion – is the
flexibility reaching different ranges of skill levels and also ages. Preschool
as well as adults can use this app. It has this funny and interesting feature
where your kids can choose different kinds of accents for female and male
voices.
2. FindMe.
It is a free iPad app, designed for kids from 1 to 4 years old. This app helps your
kid learn and then practice the basic social skills. The focus of this app is
on people, not objects. If your kids are included as non-verbal, this app is
your best option.
3. Quick Talk. You will have to pay around $15. This iPad app is for those
above 4 years old. You can start teaching your non-verbal kids about operating
the buttons that will change words to speech. I teach mine by using two basic
buttons of yes and no. And we can progress by touching
other categories as well as other complex expressions. The thing I like the most is 11,000 different
symbols that can be adjusted and customised to our needs.
4. Smile at Me. You only need to pay $3 and use it if your kids are above 2
years old. Besides learning simple social skills, your kids can also learn
about recognising emotions in predictable ways. For instance, they can learn
about identifying sad or happy from different negative and positive situations.
From what I’ve learnt, eye contact is encouraged and simple friendship starts
to introduce.
5. Cause and Effect Sensory Light Box. By only paying around $2,
you can use it for your 2+ years old children. It focuses on mental awareness
and connections, which my kid learned quite fondly. This iPad app incorporates
different sound and visual effects that won’t only amuse them, but also
encourage them to learn more.
6. ConversationBuilder. This iPad app is suitable for those above 6 years old and it
costs around $10. My kid learns about different conversation responses in
different social settings. It is easy to use, with different settings and
levels, depending on your needs and experience.
7. Grace – Picture Exchange for Non Verbal People. It is best for 5 years
above. It is based on PECS – Picture Exchange Communication System – that is
designed for autism communication. By using different pictures, phrases and
sentences are created.
8. First/Then Visual Schedule. My kid loves it because it
is orderly, easy to understand, and also predictable. The pictures used
illustrate daily routines. If you want positive encouragement as well as good structure,
this one is the best for you.
9. TapSpeak Button. This easy iPad app is designed for all ages. Those with limited
motor skills can create their own buttons using recorded phrases like "I’m
Hungry" or “Hello”. These recorded phrases will then be used to communicate.
10. Assistive Chat. It is designed for those above 7 years old. It uses text to
speech basic, which will change words and also sentences into speech. My kid
and I use it to create our own words, phrases, and sentence. It is surely
handy.
The outcome of
these top 10 iPad apps is positive. Of course, they can’t be used as autism therapy substitution;
they are basically accompaniment. They can help when used properly with the
therapies.
