Apps for Communication
Problems with communication are one of the distinctive characteristics of people with autism (Wing, 1996, as cited in Bell, Newton, and Petroff, 2012).
Voice Output
Proloquo2go
Proloquo2go by AssistiveWare $189.99.
Description: Proloquo2go (Latin for speak out loud!) is a communication aid for people who have problems speaking. It has the following features: natural sounding text-to-speech; up-to-date symbols; expandability; and a default vocabulary of 7000 words. For a video overview of Proloquo2go, please click on the link: http://www.assistiveware.com/introduction-to-proloquo2go
Here’s a video of Max using Proloquo2go: http://www.assistiveware.com/ipad-speaking-autism
Here’s an ABC article about Proloquo2go: The Conversation: iPad Gives Voice to the Autistic It includes a demonstration and also a brief discussion about why it’s a better option than other communication boards.
Developers: AssistiveWare was founded in 2000. The roots of its creation was when a friend of the CEO’s became paralyzed and needed a more effective on-screen keyboard. It focuses on creating innovative assistive technology software for Macs. It was the first company to release a full-featured Augmentative and Alternative Communication solution for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch – the Proloquo2Go!!
Training Resources: AssistiveWare have provided a selection of free online training videos (webinars!). Here’s the link: http://www.assistiveware.com/webinars
iConverse
iConverse-assisted Communication by Xcellent Creations, Inc. $9.99.
Description: This is an Augmentative Alternative Communication (AAC) app that is designed for young children with communication difficulties. It is suggested for expressing basic needs. A care-giver has the option of personalizing wants and needs for the child/toddler.
Developers: Ian Walden, the creator of the app, has a Masters Degree in Special Education and a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication and has worked in the special needs community for 8 years. He created the app so that his students could communicate their basic needs. Here’s a link to his website: http://www.converseapp.com/
Training Resources: Visit http://www.converseapp.com/about-iconverse/ for video tutorials.
MyTalk Mobile by 2nd Half Enterprises LLC $39.99.
Description: MyTalk Mobile is an app designed to enable people with communication difficulties to express their needs and wants. It uses a variety of images, pictures, symbols, and audio files to allow people to customize communication. The user can try the free version and view a Demo before purchasing.
Developers: 2nd Half Enterprises was created by Bick Pratt, a parent of a child with verbal difficulties. Having found the available AAC devices unsuitable for their son’s individual needs, with speech and language pathologists’ help, they set about creating an app that could be easily customized.
Training Resources: The following link provides 16 tutorial videos for the app: https://mytalk.zendesk.com/forums/198196-tutorial-videos
Sign Language
Sign 4 Me by Vcom3D $9.99
Description: Sign language is seen as a viable mode of communication for nonverbal individuals. Sign 4 Me uses SigningAvatar characters to aid the learning of sign language. You type in the word or the sentence and the avatar will sign it for you (text to sign). The library contains 11,500 words. Sign 4 Me uses Signed Exact English not American Signed Language.
Developers: Vcom3D was founded in 1997. The company provides multi-cultural, context sensitive, virtual communicator characters for enhanced learning experiences. It does not specialize in working with individuals with disabilities. One of the specialities of the company is its creation of 3D human characters to aid the learning experience.
Training Resources: Visit http://signingapp.com/ for demo video.
Text-to-Speech
Predictable by tbox apps $159.99
Description: Predictable is a communication aid. Users type in a message using a word prediction engine and then the app speaks the message using a range of voices. The app offers three modes of access: scan and switch, direct touch, and touch anywhere. It also has email and social network capabilities.
Developers: Tboxapps have been around for a relatively short period of time. They see the app as an alternative to Proloquo2go. There are six members of the team, each with different areas of expertise. Two of the members have experience of working with people with learning disabilities; Rebecca Bright is a a qualified, practicing, speech & language therapist and Russell Smith has eight years experience in special education and the AAC industry.
Training Resources: Visit http://www.tboxapps.com/ and watch the videos at the bottom of the page.
Apps for Learning Aids
Graphic Organizers
Gately (2008) recognised that students’ with Autism difficulties with language, social, and emotional difficulties impact their ability to interpret text clues. Gately (2008) found that providing graphic organizers to help outline a story, illustrate a character’s feelings etc… that help develop higher order thinking skills. Let’s take a look at some of the apps available that can act as graphic organizers.
iThoughtshd
iThoughts (Mindmapping) by CMS $9.99.
Description: This map enables the user to visually organize their thoughts, ideas, and information. Here’s a demonstration of iThoughts in action: iThoughtsHD v2 Getting Started
Developers: iThoughts is designed by Craig Scott. He is based in the UK and has been developing the app since 2008. The app is not specifically designed for students with autism and Craig has no experience of working with students with developmental difficulties.
Training Resources: Visit the Getting started Video at http://www.ithoughts.co.uk/iThoughtsHD/Getting_Started.html. The articles in the following link explain how a variety of tasks can be completed: http://www.ithoughts.co.uk/iThoughtsHD/HowTo.html
Omnigraffle by The Omni Group $49.99.
Description: This allows the user to create quick diagrams, process charts, and graphic organizers. It is a complex app that allows users to make visual supports that meet their needs.
To see how user friendly Omnigraffle is, please click on the link: OmniGraffle iPad Tutorial
Developers: Omnigroup was founded in 1993 and work with Apple products. They do not exclusively produce products for people with disabilities.
Training Resources: Visit http://www.omnigroup.com/products/omnigraffle-ipad/videos/ to view available training videos.
Apps for Social Skills
Video Modelling
Autistic children can be shown videos demonstrating how to behave in certain social situations. Here’s an example of one: BJM autism video modeling greeting in the hall Notice how short it is:) Following this with some direct instruction can really help an autistic child pick up social cues that a normally developing child will pick up automatically. Here’s a video that aims to inspire teachers to use video modelling in their classroom for those with autism: Assistive technologies – Video modelling for children with Autism
What does the research say about the effects of video modelling on the communication of children with ASD?
Video Modelling has been shown to teach students with autism the following skills (D’Ateno, Mangiapanello & Taylor, 2003; MacDonald, Clark, Garrigan & Vangala, 2005; Nikopoulos & Keenan, 2007; Owen-DeSchryver, Carr, Cale & Blakeley-Smith, 2008, as cited in Ennis-Cole & Smith, 2011):
- conversation and play skills
- social communication
- emotional perception
- spontaneous requesting
- social initiation
- perspective taking
Video Modelling
The Conover Company
Functional Skills System (42 Apps) by The Conover Company. The Sampler is free and each APP is $0.99.
Description: The Functional Skills System uses visual supports to provide information that enables leaners to function independently in their homes, workplaces, communities, and schools.
Developers: The Conover Company have been involved in computer software development business for over 25 years. They do not focus exclusively to catering the needs of people with developmental difficulties.
Training Resources: Visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5aCJgt9F24 to learn how to access all the features of the app.
Model Me Kids
Model Me Going Places by Model Me Kids, LLC. FREE.
Description: Model Me Kids is a visual teaching tool for helping children to perform simple actions in the community. Each location shows the child how to act by using a simple photo slide show of children behaving in the appropriate way.
Developers: Model Me Kids focuses exclusively on creating videos for teaching social skills to students with Autism, Asperger Syndrome, PDD-NOS, and Nonverbal Learning Disorder. The company has been operating since 2004. Prior to founding Model Me Kids, Susan Kline, the company president, worked as an ABA Therapist. Here’s a link to Model Me Kids home page: http://www.modelmekids.com/
Training Resources: Visit http://modelmekids.com/social-skills-training.html for an explanation of how to use the videos.
Group Activities
iTake Turns by Smarty Ears $1.99
Description: iTake Turns aims to teach students how to take turns. When playing a game, the user indicates whose turn it is by selecting the “my turn” or “your turn” button. The users have the opportunity to chose a male or female voice.
Developers: Smarty Ears was founded in December 2009. So far, they have created nearly 40 educational apps. Barbara Fernandes, the founder, is a practising Speech-Language Pathologist. The company focuses on creating apps for students with disabilities. The company has a strong belief in the power technology can give to students with disabilities.
Training Resources: Visit Smarty Ears’ website to view the available apps at http://smartyearsapps.com/.
Social Skills by Look2Learn $6.99
Descriptions: Social Skills provides the user with six social narratives (created in two different levels) that support individuals in improving their social ability. The stories target the following areas: nonverbal communication, greetings, joint attention, structured game play, imitation, and classroom rules.
Developers: Look2Learn was developed in 2008. It focuses on created quality apps for individuals with special needs. Their websites highlights that their lead application designed is nationally recognized and has featured on 60 Minutes and also in the Wall Street Journal.
Training Resources: Visit http://www.look2learn.com/tutorials for a list of tutorials from Look2Learn. Unfortunately, their is no video for Social Skills.
Apps for General Education
Apps are somewhat unique in the world of assistive technology; here is apiece of AT hardware that is used by the majority of the general population. Many kids with autism will already have prior knowledge about how to use (as will many of their peers) and therefore, if there are apps that can aid students in the general education environment, why not use them?
Reading
Bob Books
Bob Books #1 – Reading Magic by Learning Touch. $1.99 – $3.99.
Description: This a phonics based interactive game. Full animation and lively characters encourages students to engage with the text. The app uses the same learning methods and principles as the Bob Books series.
Developers: Learning Touch started about the same time as iPhones were introduced. The website mentions no focus on special education or research behind the books. Indeed, it seems to have been put together by parents who were tired of telling their kids to stay off their phones!
Training Resources: Visit http://www.bobbooks.com/how_use_bob_books.php to see ‘How to Use Bob Books’.
Dr. Suess's ABC
Dr. Seuss’s ABC by Oceanhouse Media $3.99.
Description: This is an eBook with professional narration, background audio, and enlarged artwork. As the story is read, words are highlighted. The books come in 3 modes: read to me, read it myself, and auto play.
Developers: Oceanhouse Media is a relatively new company, created in 2009. It was set up by Michel Kripalani, a veteran of the video gaming industry. The company has licensing agreements in place with Dr. Seuss Enterprises, HarperCollins, and many other publishers.
Training Resources: Here’s a link to see Dr. Seuss’s ABC on the iphone in action: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zs2maPvlD6I
Math
Time, Money & Fractions On-Track
Time, Money and Fractions on-track by School Zone Publishing $9.99.
Description: This app helps students learn about time, money, and fractions. It provides visual representations to help with the learning of these concepts. For example, students will be able to see the moving hands on a clock.
Developers: School Zone Publishing Company is a firmly established company and began as The School Zone Learning Center in 1972. It sold over 500 million products, including workbooks, software, and flash cards for children. It does not , however, appear to specifically address the needs of students with disabilities. Indeed, a search for some key words on their website, including “autism” and “learning disabilities”, produced no results.
Training Resources: Here’s a link to see the app in operation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CpNb5m3fytQ