A parent who just received a diagnosis for their child and searches "best autism apps" will find hundreds of results, most of them treating autism apps as a unified category, when the apps themselves are built for entirely different purposes: communication, social skill development, emotional regulation, academic learning. Searching "autism apps" without a specific skill in mind is like searching "autism therapy" and hoping the results self-sort by what your child needs. Communication Apps. For children who are nonverbal or have limited speech, communication apps are often the first technology a family explores. Two consistently earn SLP recommendations across autism diagnoses. Proloquo2Go builds language differently than most parents expect. It is organized around a core vocabulary system: a relatively small set of high-frequency words that appear on every page, so a child can say things like "more," "go," "not," and "want" in any context, rather than navigating to a dedicated food page just to ask for a snack. The goal is generative language, not just communication for immediate requests. For families working with a tighter budget, Avaz takes a similar core-based approach at a lower price point. LetMe Talk on Android is free and useful for families exploring AAC before committing financially. The research does not show that more expensive communication apps produce better outcomes. Consistent use across settings and involvement of a trained speech-language pathologist who can customize and expand the vocabulary as the child grows matters more than price. Social Skills Apps. Social interaction is a common focus...

Best Apps for Children with Autism: Sorted by Skill Area

A parent who just received a diagnosis for their child and searches "best autism apps" will find hundreds of results, most of them treating autism apps as a unified category, when the apps themselves are built for entirely different purposes: communication, social skill development, emotional regulation, academic learning. Searching "autism apps" without a specific skill in mind is like searching "autism therapy" and hoping the results self-sort by what your child needs. Communication Apps. For children who are nonverbal or have limited speech, communication apps are often the first technology a family explores. Two consistently earn SLP recommendations across autism diagnoses. Proloquo2Go builds language differently than most parents expect. It is organized around a core vocabulary system: a relatively small set of high-frequency words that appear on every page, so a child can say things like "more," "go," "not," and "want" in any context, rather than navigating to a dedicated food page just to ask for a snack. The goal is generative language, not just communication for immediate requests. For families working with a tighter budget, Avaz takes a similar core-based approach at a lower price point. LetMe Talk on Android is free and useful for families exploring AAC before committing financially. The research does not show that more expensive communication apps produce better outcomes. Consistent use across settings and involvement of a trained speech-language pathologist who can customize and expand the vocabulary as the child grows matters more than price. Social Skills Apps. Social interaction is a common focus...

The moment a speech-language pathologist recommends an AAC app, many parents open their app store and encounter a wall: dozens of options, prices ranging from free to $400, and each one presenting itself as the answer. The major AAC apps share more in common than their marketing suggests, and a few key distinctions will narrow the field considerably. Symbol-Based vs. Text-Based: Where to Start. Most AAC apps for young children or beginning communicators are symbol-based, meaning they display pictures or icons that a child taps to generate speech. Proloquo2Go, TouchChat HD with WordPower, Grid 3, Avaz, and CoughDrop all work this way at their core. Text-based systems like Proloquo4Text suit older users who can read and want to compose original messages. For most families starting out with a nonverbal child, symbol-based is the entry point. The Major Apps, Compared. Proloquo2Go Available for iOS at $249.99, Proloquo2Go has the longest track record and the widest adoption among speech-language pathologists in the United States. Its vocabulary is organized around core words, a small set of high-frequency terms that let a child combine language across contexts rather than just making requests. The interface is highly customizable. The tradeoff is a real learning curve for parents and clinicians handling setup. TouchChat HD with WordPower TouchChat runs on both iOS and Android at $299.99, which matters if your household uses Android or if flexibility across devices is a priority. WordPower is a vocabulary organization system that pairs with TouchChat and earns...

AAC Apps for Nonverbal Children: A Complete Comparison Guide

The moment a speech-language pathologist recommends an AAC app, many parents open their app store and encounter a wall: dozens of options, prices ranging from free to $400, and each one presenting itself as the answer. The major AAC apps share more in common than their marketing suggests, and a few key distinctions will narrow the field considerably. Symbol-Based vs. Text-Based: Where to Start. Most AAC apps for young children or beginning communicators are symbol-based, meaning they display pictures or icons that a child taps to generate speech. Proloquo2Go, TouchChat HD with WordPower, Grid 3, Avaz, and CoughDrop all work this way at their core. Text-based systems like Proloquo4Text suit older users who can read and want to compose original messages. For most families starting out with a nonverbal child, symbol-based is the entry point. The Major Apps, Compared.  Proloquo2Go  Available for iOS at $249.99, Proloquo2Go has the longest track record and the widest adoption among speech-language pathologists in the United States. Its vocabulary is organized around core words, a small set of high-frequency terms that let a child combine language across contexts rather than just making requests. The interface is highly customizable. The tradeoff is a real learning curve for parents and clinicians handling setup.  TouchChat HD with WordPower  TouchChat runs on both iOS and Android at $299.99, which matters if your household uses Android or if flexibility across devices is a priority. WordPower is a vocabulary organization system that pairs with TouchChat and earns...

This review is courtesy of Wynsum Arts' Every App Has a Story , the stories behind Wynsum Arts' distinguished apps. "We realized there is a real need for simple, socially acceptable, affordable communication aids." — Aakash Sahney, co-founder of MyVoice MyVoice Communication Aid is a 2012 Apps of Distinction recipient. Congratulations to Aakash Sahney and Alex Levy! MyVoice is an augmentative and alternative communication app that groups vocabulary by place or event and uses GPS to determine location and automatically supply vocabulary for that location. For example, if a nonverbal person using MyVoice on an iPhone walks into a movie theater, the app will recognize he is at the theater and will open the words associated with going to the movies. He can quickly order a drink, popcorn and buy a ticket. He doesn't have to find the food words to order popcorn and then the furniture words to say "Let's find a seat." We talked with Aakash Sahney, co-founder of MyVoice Inc., to find out how he and Alex Levy came to develop this location-based communication app, which works on the iPad, iPhone, iPod and Android devices. Why Did You Develop MyVoice? Aakash Sahney: In 2010, Alex and I were researchers at the University of Toronto and we were studying technology that could assist the elderly. This is how we met Bill,...

MyVoice app won a 2012 award for helping nonverbal people communicate by suggesting words based on GPS location.

Special Needs App of the Day: MyVoice Communication Aid

   This review is courtesy of Wynsum Arts'   Every App Has a Story  , the stories behind Wynsum Arts' distinguished apps.         "We realized there is a real need for simple, socially acceptable, affordable communication aids."    — Aakash Sahney, co-founder of MyVoice    MyVoice Communication Aid is a 2012 Apps of Distinction recipient. Congratulations to Aakash Sahney and Alex Levy!   MyVoice is an augmentative and alternative communication app that groups vocabulary by place or event and uses GPS to determine location and automatically supply vocabulary for that location. For example, if a nonverbal person using MyVoice on an iPhone walks into a movie theater, the app will recognize he is at the theater and will open the words associated with going to the movies. He can quickly order a drink, popcorn and buy a ticket. He doesn't have to find the food words to order popcorn and then the furniture words to say "Let's find a seat."   We talked with Aakash Sahney, co-founder of MyVoice Inc., to find out how he and Alex Levy came to develop this location-based communication app, which works on the iPad, iPhone, iPod and Android devices.    Why Did You Develop MyVoice? Aakash Sahney: In 2010, Alex and I were researchers at the University of Toronto and we were studying technology that could assist the elderly. This is how we met Bill,...

The ASL Dictionary includes 4,800 signed words accompanied by easy-to-follow videos to teach users Sign Language. It features common English phrases, the entire numerical system, dates, symbols, and 765 multiple meaning words, as well as 55 translated idioms and the finger spelled alphabet. The ASL Dictionary proves to be an excellent tool for children who are hearing impaired and for their parents to learn to communicate using ASL Sign Language. Available for download on Android, iPhone and iPad for $2.99. For more information, go here.

ASL Dictionary app has 4,800 signs with videos, phrases, and idioms for $2.99 on Android and iOS, helping people learn ASL.

Special Needs App of the Day: ASL Dictionary

The ASL Dictionary includes 4,800 signed words accompanied by easy-to-follow videos to teach users Sign Language. It features common English phrases, the entire numerical system, dates, symbols, and 765 multiple meaning words, as well as 55 translated idioms and the finger spelled alphabet. The ASL Dictionary proves to be an excellent tool for children who are hearing impaired and for their parents to learn to communicate using ASL Sign Language. Available for download on Android, iPhone and iPad for $2.99. For more information, go here.


ASL Dictionary app has 4,800 signs with videos, phrases, and idioms for $2.99 on Android and iOS, helping people learn ASL.

Some children with special needs react with difficult behaviors like tantrums when going into a store. Going Shopping Social Story is an app that focuses on things that can be fun while shopping. Because children with special needs such as Down syndrome or autism often need more visual examples of what they can or cannot do, this app uses brightly colored images to illustrate good shopping behavior. Going Shopping Social Story also helps your child know what to expect at the store. Social Stories were first developed by Carol Gray in 1991 as a means of breaking down a task or social situation into easy-to-understand steps. They are often accompanied by vivid pictures. Social stories are now used by professionals in treating a variety of behaviors. This app is available on Android, iPad, and iPhone for $2.99. For more information, go here.

Going Shopping Social Story, an app for children with special needs, uses visuals to teach proper store behavior for $2.99.

Special Needs App of the Day: Going Shopping

Some children with special needs react with difficult behaviors like tantrums when going into a store. Going Shopping Social Story is an app that focuses on things that can be fun while shopping. Because children with special needs such as Down syndrome or autism often need more visual examples of what they can or cannot do, this app uses brightly colored images to illustrate good shopping behavior. Going Shopping Social Story also helps your child know what to expect at the store. Social Stories were first developed by Carol Gray in 1991 as a means of breaking down a task or social situation into easy-to-understand steps. They are often accompanied by vivid pictures. Social stories are now used by professionals in treating a variety of behaviors. This app is available on Android, iPad, and iPhone for $2.99. For more information, go here.


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Special Needs
Articles

Best Apps for Children with Autism: Sorted by Skill Area

AAC Apps for Nonverbal Children: A Complete Comparison Guide

Special Needs App of the Day: MyVoice Communication Aid

Special Needs App of the Day: ASL Dictionary

Special Needs App of the Day: Going Shopping

Find Providers Near You

Special Needs Articles

Best Apps for Children with Autism: Sorted by Skill Area

AAC Apps for Nonverbal Children: A Complete Comparison Guide

Special Needs App of the Day: MyVoice Communication Aid

Special Needs App of the Day: ASL Dictionary

Special Needs App of the Day: Going Shopping

Find Providers Near You

Special Needs
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