Dear Developmental Doc: I have a 14 year -old son who has high functioning autism. He loves anything to do with the computer but has a tendency to use technology as a way to hide from social and emotional experiences. I was reading about recent technological breakthroughs where computer apps actually encourage social/emotional and developmental growth. Do you have any recommendations? Lucille M.-Oxnard, CA. Dear Lucille, You are right, we are now living in a time where technology can assist in helping to build social and emotional bridges between persons with special needs and the greater communities at large. The following are a list and a description of the 13 best special needs apps of 2012. I recommend parents do their due diligence by doing research on each site before installing the apps for their child. Of particular note, please check out the complexity of the app, whether it can be adapted to the specific needs of your child and of course, cost (if any) per use. Best of luck with your entrance into our Brave New World! Esther Hess, a.k.a The Developmental Doc. 1) "See, Touch, Learn Pro" by Brian Parade. The most important asset to this app is built-in flashcards with interactive features that can be customized by a speech therapist, teacher or parent. 2) "Pictello" by Assistiveware offers a fun way to create and share talking photo albums to create social stories. 3) "Dragon Diction" by Nuane Communication is a fabulous speech...

A list of the best 2012 apps for special needs children, enhancing social/emotional growth and cognitive skills.

12 Best Special Needs Apps of 2012-Special Education

 Dear Developmental Doc:   I have a 14 year -old son who has high functioning autism. He loves anything to do with the computer but has a tendency to use technology as a way to hide from social and emotional experiences. I was reading about recent technological breakthroughs where computer apps actually encourage social/emotional and developmental growth. Do you have any recommendations? Lucille M.-Oxnard, CA.  Dear Lucille, You are right, we are now living in a time where technology can assist in helping to build social and emotional bridges between persons with special needs and the greater communities at large. The following are a list and a description of the 13 best special needs apps of 2012. I recommend parents do their due diligence by doing research on each site before installing the apps for their child. Of particular note, please check out the complexity of the app, whether it can be adapted to the specific needs of your child and of course, cost (if any) per use. Best of luck with your entrance into our Brave New World! Esther Hess, a.k.a The Developmental Doc. 1) "See, Touch, Learn Pro" by Brian Parade. The most important asset to this app is built-in flashcards with interactive features that can be customized by a speech therapist, teacher or parent.  2) "Pictello" by Assistiveware offers a fun way to create and share talking photo albums to create social stories. 3) "Dragon Diction" by Nuane Communication is a fabulous speech...

This review is courtesy of Wynsum Arts' Every App Has a Story , the stories behind Wynsum Arts' distinguished apps. "I didn't realize how valuable flashcards are until I started using my own app on a regular basis." – Mavis Hageman, creator of TransEz and grandmother of two TransEz When Mavis Hageman took guardianship of her grandchildren, she realized that parenting would be quite different the second time around. Her grandson (who was 5 at the time) has autism, and Hageman had to learn the strategies that would best support him — strategies that never crossed her mind when she raised her first child. For example, she realized early on her grandson responds well to visual prompts. But laminating cards is time consuming and it is burdensome to carry cards outside the home. When her grandson took an interest in her iPhone, Hageman downloaded a few apps for him. She quickly realized that the apps allowed her grandson to focus when operating in an environment that is over-stimulating. "I could maneuver him without having to deal with the behaviors," she says. And Hageman started looking for an app that would offer all the visual prompts she might need too. But she couldn't find an app that fit her needs. So she mocked up her ideal app and hired a coder. Why Did You Develop TransEz?...

TransEz app helps kids with autism transition between activities using a visual timer and customizable flashcards, created by Mavis Hageman.

Special Needs App of the Day: TransEz

   This review is courtesy of Wynsum Arts'   Every App Has a Story  , the stories behind Wynsum Arts' distinguished apps.              "I didn't realize how valuable flashcards are until I started using my own app on a regular basis."   – Mavis Hageman, creator of TransEz and grandmother of two   TransEz  When Mavis Hageman took guardianship of her grandchildren, she realized that parenting would be quite different the second time around. Her grandson (who was 5 at the time) has autism, and Hageman had to learn the strategies that would best support him — strategies that never crossed her mind when she raised her first child. For example, she realized early on her grandson responds well to visual prompts. But laminating cards is time consuming and it is burdensome to carry cards outside the home. When her grandson took an interest in her iPhone, Hageman downloaded a few apps for him. She quickly realized that the apps allowed her grandson to focus when operating in an environment that is over-stimulating. "I could maneuver him without having to deal with the behaviors," she says. And Hageman started looking for an app that would offer all the visual prompts she might need too. But she couldn't find an app that fit her needs. So she mocked up her ideal app and hired a coder.  Why Did You Develop TransEz?...

TransEz app helps kids with autism transition between activities using a visual timer and customizable flashcards, created by Mavis Hageman.

Many parents might remember using flashcards and repetition to learn vocabulary. Now in the age of mobile technology, we have more lively and exciting ways to learn our first words. KinderApp is a way for toddlers and children to learn about objects from their everyday environments. KinderApp includes two levels. The first level shows animations and images of different objects in the bedroom, kitchen, closet, bath, and bedtime. When you tap on a picture, the image is shown up close on the screen, and a voice announces the name of that object; the name of the object is also shown in text underneath the image. The second level involves a question, such as "where is the car?" and it is up to the user to find and tap on the car. Research has shown that pointing out and naming images and objects is a superb way for children to learn. KinderApp teaches these skills in a way that is fun for toddlers and children with speech delays. The app allows you to reinforce this learning about common objects even when you're away from home. One aspect of KinderApp we love and that sets it apart from other apps is that it teaches children first words in multiple languages. Select from American, German, Hungarian, or British voices. In addition to learning words in their first language, children are introduced to new languages, and KinderApp is a great starting point for new language learners....

KinderApp is a mobile app for kids to learn vocabulary with interactive images and voiceovers in multiple languages for $1.99.

App of the Day: KinderApp

 Many parents might remember using flashcards and repetition to learn vocabulary. Now in the age of mobile technology, we have more lively and exciting ways to learn our first words. KinderApp is a way for toddlers and children to learn about objects from their everyday environments.   KinderApp includes two levels. The first level shows animations and images of different objects in the bedroom, kitchen, closet, bath, and bedtime. When you tap on a picture, the image is shown up close on the screen, and a voice announces the name of that object; the name of the object is also shown in text underneath the image. The second level involves a question, such as "where is the car?" and it is up to the user to find and tap on the car.    Research has shown that pointing out and naming images and objects is a superb way for children to learn. KinderApp teaches these skills in a way that is fun for toddlers and children with speech delays. The app allows you to reinforce this learning about common objects even when you're away from home.   One aspect of KinderApp we love and that sets it apart from other apps is that it teaches children first words in multiple languages. Select from American, German, Hungarian, or British voices. In addition to learning words in their first language, children are introduced to new languages, and KinderApp is a great starting point for new language learners....

ArtikPix is an exciting new app that helps students practice words and articulations. Ideal for students with speech and sound delays, the app is a fun way for children to practice speech. This intelligent app, developed by Eric Sailers, a speech and language pathologist, includes a group practice feature, which allows up to four students to play at the same time. Each student collects scores from a series of flashcards, which requires the student to practice sounds in words and sentences. Other modes allow the students to work with a speech-language pathologist, their parents, or by themselves. Additionally, students and caregivers can make progress notes on each session to note improvements and areas that need work. The full version includes 21 decks with 40 cards each, and these cards work on the sounds: Th F V Ch Sh K G S Z L R S-blends L-blends P B M N T D J Once you select a variety of phonemes and word positions (beginning, middle, and end of words), a series of flashcards is generated, each with a word that targets those phonemes. The students first practice just one word, then they are asked to repeat full sentences....

ArtikPix, an app by Eric Sailers, aids speech practice for kids with delays, offering multi-student sessions & customizable flashcards.

Special Needs App of the Day: ArtikPix

  ArtikPix is an exciting new app that helps students practice words and articulations. Ideal for students with speech and sound delays, the app is a fun way for children to practice speech.   This intelligent app, developed by Eric Sailers, a speech and language pathologist, includes a group practice feature, which allows up to four students to play at the same time. Each student collects scores from a series of flashcards, which requires the student to practice sounds in words and sentences. Other modes allow the students to work with a speech-language pathologist, their parents, or by themselves. Additionally, students and caregivers can make progress notes on each session to note improvements and areas that need work.   The full version includes 21 decks with 40 cards each, and these cards work on the sounds:    Th   F   V   Ch   Sh   K   G   S   Z   L   R   S-blends   L-blends   P   B   M   N   T   D   J    Once you select a variety of phonemes and word positions (beginning, middle, and end of words), a series of flashcards is generated, each with a word that targets those phonemes.   The students first practice just one word, then they are asked to repeat full sentences....

ArtikPix, an app by Eric Sailers, aids speech practice for kids with delays, offering multi-student sessions & customizable flashcards.

Your child's speech therapist gives you strategies to practice at home. You nod, take notes, and fully intend to follow through. Then life happens. The week gets away from you. By the next session, you're apologizing for not doing the exercises. Formal practice sessions aren't what moves the needle. Research shows that two 5-minute interactions embedded in your child's day are more effective than a 30-minute sit-down drill. The reason is motivation. A child learning to request "more" during snack time is working toward something they want. A child repeating "more" from a flashcard is performing a task for an adult. This article shows you how to embed speech goals into routines you're already doing, how to take simple data your therapist can use, and how to tell if what you're doing is working. The Core Principle: Practice Happens in Context. Speech therapy at home isn't about replicating the clinic. Your therapist uses structured activities because they need to assess specific skills in a controlled setting. You don't need that structure. What you need is repetition in real situations where your child has a reason to communicate. If your child is working on the /k/ sound, you don't need to sit at a table with picture cards. You need to notice every time /k/ shows up naturally: car, cookie, cup, coat, keys. When you're buckling them into the car, you say "Let's get in the car." You pause. You model the word "car" again, emphasizing the first sound. That's practice....

Practical activities to reinforce speech therapy goals between sessions, embedded in daily routines instead of formal drills.

How to Support Your Child's Speech Therapy Progress at Home

Your child's speech therapist gives you strategies to practice at home. You nod, take notes, and fully intend to follow through. Then life happens. The week gets away from you. By the next session, you're apologizing for not doing the exercises. Formal practice sessions aren't what moves the needle. Research shows that two 5-minute interactions embedded in your child's day are more effective than a 30-minute sit-down drill. The reason is motivation. A child learning to request "more" during snack time is working toward something they want. A child repeating "more" from a flashcard is performing a task for an adult. This article shows you how to embed speech goals into routines you're already doing, how to take simple data your therapist can use, and how to tell if what you're doing is working. The Core Principle: Practice Happens in Context. Speech therapy at home isn't about replicating the clinic. Your therapist uses structured activities because they need to assess specific skills in a controlled setting. You don't need that structure. What you need is repetition in real situations where your child has a reason to communicate. If your child is working on the /k/ sound, you don't need to sit at a table with picture cards. You need to notice every time /k/ shows up naturally: car, cookie, cup, coat, keys. When you're buckling them into the car, you say "Let's get in the car." You pause. You model the word "car" again, emphasizing the first sound. That's practice....

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Special Needs
Articles

12 Best Special Needs Apps of 2012-Special Education

Special Needs App of the Day: TransEz

App of the Day: KinderApp

Special Needs App of the Day: ArtikPix

How to Support Your Child's Speech Therapy Progress at Home

Find Providers Near You

Special Needs Articles

12 Best Special Needs Apps of 2012-Special Education

Special Needs App of the Day: TransEz

App of the Day: KinderApp

Special Needs App of the Day: ArtikPix

How to Support Your Child's Speech Therapy Progress at Home

Find Providers Near You

Special Needs
Articles