I like the way it often gives you images with a clean white background, which cuts down on distracting elements. Since many of our students with autism use photos for communication programs and visual schedules, this provides a quick and easy way to find appropriate ones. The iPad versions now collect data and offer other enhancements.įotoFarmHD uses Google image search filtered for kids. has nineteen excellent ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) flashcard apps that are worth exploring too.
#COMMUNICATION BOARD APPS FOR IPAD FREE#
Grasshopper Apps offers numerous free and inexpensive early learning apps that offer flexibility and customization that is so important for our students. It’s easy to create new boards that can be tailored to their curriculum. Word and sentence builder have the child drag and drop letters or words into the correct sequence.
Students can play mini-games by touching the correct photo or matching up images to the correct word. There are Flashcards that have a word and picture. This free app by Grasshopper Apps uses beautiful photos, has 1,000 lessons and gives the ability to create your own new boards. For students who may prefer to type their communication messages, AssistiveChat and Something to Say give them that ability. This allows a picture of a room or other location to have embedded hotspots that open up to relevant vocabulary or video clips. There are some apps like AutisMate and Go Talk Now with the option for scene based communication.
#COMMUNICATION BOARD APPS FOR IPAD TRIAL#
It’s not just the money saving factor, we trial each student with devices to see what is the best fit and the iPad frequently comes out on top. Now we have over 65 students using an iPad for communication. Typically the children with the most severe communication needs were getting access to a device. In the past, we relied on specialty devices ranging from $4,000-$12,000 each. One of our students from India was thrilled to find a voice with an Indian accent.īecause we have the option of putting this $189 app on an iPad2 or iPad mini, it’s opened the door to giving more students the ability to communicate. There are also voices that speak English with accents. Recently Proloquo2Go released some advanced children’s voices which are a tremendous improvement over synthesized voices options for kids previously available. For those who don’t need symbol or photo support for each word, there’s an option to type in messages with word prediction. It’s rich with vocabulary organized for beginning communicators on up to those who need a more complex core vocabulary. Proloquo2Go by AssistiveWare is our go to app for students using augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). Of course, every student’s needs are unique so we do customize the iPad or other device to meet their particular needs.
The apps that follow are some of those that we most frequently use with students on the autism spectrum. I work with dozens of students who have significant communication needs, the majority of them with autism. The definition of autism has expanded to include less severe and related conditions such as Asperger Syndrome. Teachers and family members are also more willing to use it.ĪBC News recently reported that a government survey of parents says 1 in 50 U.S. The iPad has a certain cool factor with students and their peers that cannot be underestimated. In the past it was not uncommon for a student to abandon an expensive communication device because it was too complex to use, heavy and often unattractive. However, I have never seen a device so engaging and versatile as the iPad. She finds the overwhelmingly positive response of her students to the iPad energizing and rewarding.Īs an assistive technology specialist working with special needs students for many years now, I’ve seen a lot of technology come and go. Her blog iPad for All is designed to support iPad users of all ages and abilities, as well as educators, therapists and families. She works for Belllevue School District in the special education department providing technology for special needs students ages 3-21 years old.Ĭathy presents at national conferences and gives webinars on iPads and other assistive technologies.
Here’s a little background on Cathy and her qualifications to write on this subject:Ĭathy Hoesterey is an assistive technology specialist and occupational therapist living in Bellevue, WA near Seattle. This post was written by Cathy Hoesterey. So I’m delighted to share this guest post today, covering 10 great iPad apps (and one great iPad case) for Students on the Autism Spectrum. I’m continually impressed and amazed at how much impact the iPad is having in education – and especially in helping students with autism or on the autism spectrum.