If you have an iPad and a child with autism then this is a must read post for you. There are a bevy of iPad apps that are perfect for parents of children with autism including apps with social stories, language based programs and even augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) apps. In the list below you will see the name of the app, the kind of app it is and the price at the time of publication of this article.
20 iPad Apps for Kids with Autism
- Model Me Going Places 2 – Social Stories – Free
- Is That Gluten Free? – Nutrition – $7.99
- Sentence Builder for iPad – Language – $3.99
- TapToTalk – Language – Free
- Story Builder – Language – $3.99
- Understanding Autism – Educational – $2.99
- Proloquo2Go – Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) – $189.99
- Question Builder for iPad – Language – $3.99
- AutoVerbal Talking Soundbox – Language – $9.99
- iCommunicate for iPad – Language – $29.99
- MyTalk Tools Mobile – AAC – $39.99
- iDress for Weather – Life Skills – $1.99
- MyTalkTools Mobile Lite – AAC – Free
- TapSpeak Button for Ipad – Language – $9.99
- Grace – Picture Exchange for Non-Verbal People – Language – $37.99
- Alexicom AAC – AAC – Free
- AACSpeechBuddy – AAC – $44.99
- Visual Impact – Living Safely – Life Skills – $34.99
- Off We Go – Going to the Dentist – Social Stories – $4.99
- Off We Go – Going on a Plane – Social Stories – $4.99
I’d love to hear from you. What are your favorite iPad Apps for your child with autism? Drop me a note in the comments below.
Thanks!
Photo: Yutaka Tsutano/Flickr
{ 33 comments… read them below or add one }
Smarty Ears has launched Expressive, a new iPhone/iPad Augmentative & Alternative Communication App http://ht.ly/35Rg
My favorite Android application is Flash Card Maker Pro. I use this to teach my 6 old how to read and do math. It is the only flash card application that is optimized for Android pads, tablets, and mobile phones. Flash Card Maker Pro uses advanced gesturing and text-to-speech capability providing a fully interactive experience for users of all ages. This multi-sensory teaching tool uses all pathways of learning (visual, auditory, kinesthetic or seeing, hearing, touching) simultaneously, in order to enhance memory and learning. Use Flash Card Maker Pro on your Android phone or tablet to teach children how to read and do math, to help students study for exams, or to prepare for an upcoming presentation.
Tell me and I forget, show me and I remember, involve me and I understand. (Chinese Proverb)
Recycle your old paper flash cards and download the latest digital version today! Flash Card Maker Pro has the following highlighted features:
1. Create Your Own Flash Cards
2. Share Flash Cards with Other Users
3. Download Decks of Cards from Developer Website
4. Text-to-speech Audio Playback
5. Built-in Study Timer
6. Randomize or Change Order of Playback
7. Swap Question and Answer
8. Change Card Colors and Text Size
9. Navigate Between Cards using Touch Gestures
10. Backup Database to SD Card
My wife, who is a speech therapist, just launched an app for children with autism. She uses it in therapy all the time, and her kids love it (it has a cute, animated mouse). It is designed to build language skills and is very affordable at $2.99.
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/speech-with-milo-verbs/id405441288?mt=8#ls=1
http://Www.speechwithmilo.com
Thanks!
Hello, I have two boys with autism. My youngest (5) and the older (8) love a totally just-for-fun app called Elmo’s Monster Maker. I love this app because the boys will “script” and role play what happens in the app TOGETHER! It’s like joint pretend play! For educational apps, FirstWords and iBooks are a favorite for both, and FirstWords Spanish. My older son loves Crazy Machines, too. This iPad has been a life saver in waiting rooms
An absolute life saver in waiting rooms – even when it is just me waiting for one of the kids to get out of an appointment hehe.
We recently received a letter from a parent of a child with autism:
“Before using your application, he could not read. He had never taken to reading, writing, spelling, even phonics. Not long after using it, he showed us that not only could he use the application as I had continued to adjust it, but he could spell the actual words independent of the iPad. This skill took off for him and he has started learning sight words and using phonics. Something about your design works for him and we are waiting for each new app you can design.”
We’d like to invite you to try our newest app for the iPhone/iPad, Bob Books Reading Magic. For over 30 years, Bob Books, the bestselling series published by Scholastic has successfully taught millions of children how to read. Popular among preschoolers, Montessori teachers and Homeschoolers alike, the brand has stood the test of time. Bob Books Reading Magic shows kids how to make the connection between letters and sounds, sound out simple words and spell the words they’ve read. The game includes twelve scenes for a total of 32 words. Four game levels provide increasing challenges to children as they play. Check it out; we think you’ll be impressed.
http://itunes.apple.com/app/bob-books-1-reading-magic/id403753501?mt=8
MELODY KITTY, an interactive children’s book app, is featured in the “What’s Hot” book section of the itunes store (only .99) and has a cute song that my grandson, who has down syndrome, loves to sing.
http://ax.itunes.apple.com/us/app/melody-kitty/id389093294?mt=8#ls=1
Thank you for sharing this list. I’m having trouble finding all the communication apps in one place. This is a good place to start. Now the hard part is going to be deciding which one to get. I,d love to see an article reviewing each one, with prices, whether it’s Internet dependent, etc. if anyone sees something like this please post. or maybe Melissa, you could write one up for us? Thanks again,
Cristy
Hi Cristy,
That would be a great resource! I know that there is a list of probably 100+ apps on a sheet at the center where my son receives speech therapy. I’ll see what I can find as far as resources already out there and post back to let you know.
Warmly,
Melissa
Hi Melissa,
I wonder if you got a chance to make a copy of those 100+ app list. I am sure it will be very useful to many other parents.
Thanks in advance.
Hi Noel, The list was gone so I didn’t get a chance to copy it.
I am purchasing an iPad for my son that is autistic to help him verbalize more. If you answered Cristy’s post could you please let me know where that site is.
Thank you
Hi Georgia, Unfortunately the list was gone when I returned to the therapy center.
Friendly greetings
Our company, Dunedin Multimedia, has created several apps for children and young people with autism. One is a paid app and the rest are free.
How do I find these apps? I tried typing in your company but got other hits instead.
I love Talking Tom because my son gets to hear how he annunciates, etc. Plus, it’s super cute!
Thanks for these.
what about apps for young adults living with autism??
any for scheduling, social skills, organization skills?
anything would be appreciated!
Hi Sandi – I will do some research and put up a post with what I find, thanks for the great idea!
hi sandi and melissa,
i saw this site asaoakland.org/events.htm
they have all this events all year round for kids,teens,adults and even for the parents as well.i hope this help
Hi,
I would like to draw attention to our new app, called iPicto, for iPhone and iPod
(late next week is also available the iPad app version).
This app is designed to guide people with a (mental) disability, with or without
autism and / or a disorder in communication.
I refer you for further information, visit the App Store.
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ipicto/id423225072?mt=8&ls=1
Thank you for attention,
Sincerely,
Erwin van den Hout
The Netherlands
Hi All,
Nice to find a web page dedicated to apps about autism. Our app Splash Math http://bit.ly/splashmath has been found useful for kids with special needs.
http://www.linkedin.com/groups/advent-iPhones-iPads-iPods-in-1862313.S.51542117?qid=92b4a3e4-afe3-412f-a6fc-cabe2bb9f099&goback=.nmp_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1.gmp_1862313
Hey all,
I have a site, http://www.autismpluggedin.com, that was created specifically to review iPhone and iPad apps for children with autism. Please check it out, subscribe, at http://www.autismpluggedin.com/subscribe-to-autism-plugged-in, and share it on social media.
My son’s speech therapist uses the iPad app called Didakto.
Ilmasoft has just launched an app name Kid’s IQ. This app contains more then 280 different objects with sounds. This App is being sold under 1$ on a promotional basis. To free download visit the app store.
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/kids-iq/id449132084?mt=8
There are also useful apps to make autism easy:
Visual Cue – transitional toy for visual thinkers
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/visual-cue/id440280028?mt=8
Visual Working For board -to ease the anxiety during a scheduled task
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/visual-working-for/id455248468?&mt=8
Hello everyone! I wanted to share with you a great website for some very helpful autism/special needs apps for your ipad/iphone/tablet pc etc. Check out
http://www.a4cwsn.com/mobile-education-store
The Mobile Education Store has great apps for conversation building, language building, question building, a speech journal, and so much more! All great apps that target our autism kiddos. Also, while you are there, check out the main site A4CWSN (Apps for Children with Special Needs).
Blessings to you!
Amanda
Hello,
I am wondering if I can buy any tablet other than iPad for my 6 year autistic son to help him improve his communication. He talks on a very limited bases but does not express his feelings. He has the vocabulary but would not use them. He was responsive to the therapist using iPad for Pointing out bubbles. I am on a very tight budget and I want to know if I can buy other tablets which are cheaper than iPad to use these Autism Apps?
Any help and suggestion would be highly appreciated.
Thanks!
I would like to see a HUGE price drop in this device for AUTISTIC familys – maybe one with WIFI and that we can use for just learning apps. I can’t find any help paying for one and Im looking at the HP TOUCHPAD which will do everything the laptop will but dont have apps. Would apple need as many apps is they could run flash? And which app is the one where you take a picture and then put your words to it? thats all i need or all i know i need right now. I may just buy a talk button for $11 since i cant afford $500…:P….thanks
Hi,
I would like to draw attention to our new app, called iPicto, for iPhone, iPod Touch
and iPad.
This app is designed to guide people with a (mental) disability, with or without
dementia/alzheimer, asperger, autism and / or a disorder in communication.
This new app iPicto is also a very good tool in learning a way of communication,
for example speech difficulties.
I refer you for further information, visit the App Store.
See for it: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ipicto/id423225072?mt=8&ls=1
and
http://ipicto.applereports.com/iPicto/Welkom.html
Thank you for attention,
Sincerely,
Erwin van den Hout
The Netherlands
In my search for a school for Autistic children in my area, I came accross your site. I’d like to suggest a website not listed above that also offers a communication app. Special Learning has not only developed a communication app but also provides the tools, resources and knowledge to parents, teachers and caregivers for children with developmental disorders and ASD. Please visit their site and consider adding them to your list of available technology and an invaluable resource center.
I love Dr. Gary Brown’s Autism Apps. He uses Discrete Trial Training to help children learn their colors, shapes, numbers, letters and words. They work wonderfully and we have seen big improvements. The apps are listed as:
Autism Colors
Autism/DTT Shapes
Autism/DTT Numbers
Autism/DTT Letters
DTT Words
Hello~ I’m a Speech Pathologist and I recently launched an iPad app called “PandaPal PECS.” This app is a communication system for non-verbal children as well as a language learning system. Please check it out and let me know what you think. FREE version coming soon.
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/pandapal-pecs/id492860458?mt=8
Thank you
Kim Scott
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