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SN children

Here are some suggested organisations that offer expert advice on special needs.

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Original poster

iPad apps

21 replies

theDudesmummy · 24/02/2012 16:05

My DS is 2.7, just diagnosed with ASD. In a flurry of wanting to do something positive in the wake of the mixed feelings that diagnosis brought, I have just gone out and got him an iPad (having heard very good things about them for ASD children, and also knowing of his love for any kind of technology). Now what? Can anyone recommend software for a child who is non-verbal but very interested in pressing things, turning things on and off, looking at pictures etc, in whom we want to encourage communication as well as POINTING (hich he is just starting to get the han of)? (and he is going to be starting PECS soon)
Grateful for any help.

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SallyBear · 24/02/2012 16:24

Hi Dude. Try AutismApps. It's free and lists hundreds of Apps with reviews and video footage of Apps that they recommend. It covers all aspects, from communication to colouring, to reading to writing. It's really good. Bear in mind that some of the apps are very expensive, but some are very reasonably priced. We particularly liked Injini puzzles and games. I would also recommend a Thomas App that does puzzles and picture matching. Grace Picture Exchange is good as it's based on PECS.
Anyway, try them out! But have a look at Autism Apps is really useful.

Original poster

theDudesmummy · 24/02/2012 16:33

Thanks Sally, will take a look at that right now!

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Toppy · 24/02/2012 20:02

oooh goody - my favourite subject

try Flo Longhorns lists here and here for loads and loads of great apps

My top two favourites are Red Fish by Fresh Planet (iPad only) and Interactive Alphabet by Piikea Street

silverfrog · 24/02/2012 20:05

Kindergarten apps have a great range of ABA based apps.

erm, too many others I have used to list, but if you do a search on my username and something like 'apps' then you should get loads of posts up - some with huge lists of what I have used with dd1.

Toppy · 24/02/2012 20:06

by the way GREAT move buying the iPad. I know they are expensive and a luxury but in a dream world all children on the spectrum should be issued with them. My ASD DS 4 has learnt so much from the ipad and his SLI sister 2.5 is learning to talk from it. You can rip S&L DVDs and load them onto the ipad which has been its best use for us - we used the BabyBumblebee series

Original poster

theDudesmummy · 25/02/2012 13:34

Thanks so much for the advice everyone! I am going to figure out how to work the iPad myself before I introduce DS to it, but it looks very interesting, and I will be tryin lots of those apps!

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SallyBear · 25/02/2012 14:25

I was shopping today and noticed that they now do gift cards for the App Store! DS3's birthday is next week, I may well be asking for those for him.

Original poster

theDudesmummy · 25/02/2012 16:40

I have now figured out how to work this thing and have downloaded a few apps that were recommended on this thread and the other one from silverfrog. This is an incredible machine! I had no idea!

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silverfrog · 25/02/2012 17:17

oh, they are amazing. the amount of things both my girls (NT and ASD) have learnt from apps is incredible.

dd1 is now reading and writing thanks to apps (the Open University Our Story app alone is worth an ipad's weight in gold!)

2Siobhan · 25/02/2012 20:05

My kids love all the toca boca games.

Original poster

theDudesmummy · 26/02/2012 09:58

Well, after getting very excited about the iPad when I tried it myself yesterday, trying to introduce DS to it has been very disappointing so far. He is only interested in one thing, the Home switch (he has a thing about switches) and so just closes every app straight away. He didn't seem to see the games on the screen, wasn't interested in touching the screen, the switch is the only thing of any interest. I am not sure this is going to be of any use to him after all.

He did like it when I played some of his favourite TV shows on it, so he is able to see the screen, just not interested in interacting with anything other than the single switch. I might as well have bought him a light switch!

Well, feeling a bit down about this now. I will keep trying and maybe he will improve....

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SallyBear · 26/02/2012 10:37

We started off with a simple Thomas game on my iPhone. So now the iPad doesn't seem so daunting. But he is only little! Don't overload him, just a few minutes every now and then. My DS3 likes youtube Peppa, Bob etc. iPlayer is also really good, as you can play their favourite shows. The games took practice. He is good at navigating himself around it all now, as he uses my old iPhone. Please don't lose heart. It will all come good, he just needs some time to embrace new technology.

Original poster

theDudesmummy · 26/02/2012 11:59

Yes, that is what my DH is telling me! I am too impatient! My DS likes some of the shows on the "Baby TV" channel and I have shown him some of those on the iPad, which has made him smile and giggle now! We are going to give him just a few minutes at a time and see how we go...

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dev9aug · 26/02/2012 13:03

With DS to start with, we had to help him out. For examples with bubble popping games, use your hand to guide him as to what to do. After a few times he will get the hang of it if the app is interesting enough. If not move on to something else.
Do the same with every new game, don't expect him to get the hang of it straight away on his own if he is anything like my DS. once he is figured these out, the challenge will be to get it out of his hands.

Original poster

theDudesmummy · 26/03/2012 16:00

I started this thread a few weeks ago and just wanted to update. The iPad has indeed been quite a hit, and my DS can now point!!! which he was not able to do before! He does not really "get" games etc yet but loves watching his Baby TV shows, and can tap on the correct sequence of icons to get the shows he wants. To sit him sitting there pointing and swiping on the screen is so sweet! It has also helped mealtimes as it keeps him in his chair and he now finishes his meal rather than wandering off in the middle. (The iPad is however generally covered in fish finger bits or butter but what the hell!).

I have looked through all the helpful app sugestions and I am sure he will get the hang of many of them in time.

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SallyBear · 26/03/2012 17:52

Brilliant Dudes!! I looked at the levels DS3 is on for the Injini app. Certain games he struggles with, but puzzles and pattern matching he is streets ahead. It's nice to be able to see what his strengths are and to help him with the bits he's either disinterested in or struggles with.

Toppy · 26/03/2012 20:36

Am so pleased. My two have learnt phonics and counting (including sequencing) from ours and DD could not even talk in Sept !
Can I tell you about a great piece of kit to protect your ipad - an Otterbox Defender. Makes your beautiful iPad twice the size and weight but totally protects it and ours has been thrown onto a tiled floor many times. Otterbox defender range are used by builders etc - all holes are protected by the case from dust, the case means the pad bounces off the floor etc etc . Have a look at the reviews on Amazon, V expensive but so worth it.

silverfrog · 26/03/2012 20:49

oh, can second the Otterbox defender. absolutely worth it.

dd1 is really quite careful (considering!) with her iPad, but it is worth it for the peace of mind. totally encases the ipad (you can get them for iphones and ipod touches too) and is seriously hardcore protection.

My SIL has a brilliant case for her ipad, for my niece to use - will try to look that up, as is great for littler hands.

silverfrog · 26/03/2012 20:53

this is it

apparently dn has dropped the ipad a few times (she is only 2) and it is absolutely fine. is a very user friendly case - easy to grip handles etc.

SallyBear · 26/03/2012 23:25

Toppy- which phonics and counting Apps are you using? I think that DS3 maybe able to read, but as he doesn't speak it's difficult to tell!

Original poster

theDudesmummy · 27/03/2012 08:31

That iGuy case is just lovely (have now ordered one!). I'll get the Otterbox one when he is a bit bigger!

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