Apps for Special Needs

These apps for special needs were made by the developers at Moms With Apps to assist children and families. We will update this list periodically. If you have feedback on the apps, please contact the developers as they are very open to collaboration.

ArtikPix by Rinn Apps (See Demo Video)  ArtikPix is an engaging articulation app with flashcard and matching activities for children with speech sound delays. Since the app includes child friendly language, you don’t have to be a speech-language pathologist to facilitate practice. Children use ArtikPix to practice sounds independently, with a speech-language pathologist or their parents.

First Then Visual Schedule by Good Karma Apps First-Then Visual Schedule application is designed for caregivers to provide
positive behavior support for those with communication needs. This application provides an affordable and convenient audio-visual prompting tool for use on the iPhone or iTouch. The portability of the iPhone and iTouch and ease of use of the application make it perfect for use at school, home or in the community.

Grace App by Steven-Troughton Smith (See news clip Demo Video) A simple picture exchange system developed By and For non-verbal people allowing the user to communicate their needs by building sentences from relevant images. It can be customised by the individual using their picture and photo vocabulary with the user taking and saving pictures independently to the app.

iCommunicate by Grembe (See Demo Video)  Create pictures, flashcards, storyboards, routines, and visual schedules. Record custom audio in any language. We include 100+ pictures(first 5 have audio) to get you started. Add pictures with your camera, or from your camera roll, or use Google image search. Utilize as audio visual prompting tool or AAC device.

iComm by Mias Apps (See Demo Video) The iComm (short for I Communicate) is an app providing an affordable, custom built and easy to use communication system using pictures and words – both written and spoken. It is ideal for children under three until they are able to express their needs through well formed speech. The iComm is also very useful for children with a broad range of disabilities who have trouble communicating such as cerebral palsy or autism.

iEarnedThat by a Pediatrician & Parent Designed by a Pediatrician and parent, iEarnedThat is an amazingly simple motivational tool to help children develop desirable behaviors by working towards tangible goals. Turn any picture of a desired reward into a 3D interactive jigsaw puzzle of up to 60 pieces! Set the goal and have your child EARN their reward one puzzle piece at a time!

In My Dreams by DevelopEase (See Demo Video) Have fun with reading, matching, and sign language. “In My Dreams” uses animation and repetition to promote literacy. Each page has the same sentence structure and reinforces understanding of nouns, verbs and prepositions. “In My Dreams” is an instructional app designed with illustrations that provide language cues. Personalize the app for your child, student or client by adding their photo!

iReward by Grembe iReward is a fun and useful app.  Use it with your spouse, kids, yourself, or anyone for whom you want to provide some positive reinforcement. iReward is a motivation chart for your iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad!

iTouchiLearn Musical Story (see demo) features an interactive, animated story that teaches toddler, preschool and special needs kids about morning routines. Kids can sing along and interact with the catchy iTouchiLearn Ready for School song sung to the tune of Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush. Designed to build early learning and life skills through virtual rewards, the app features 3 modes of early learning: Game, Music and Activity.

My Talk Tools (LITE version) MyTalkTools Mobile Lite is a fully-functional version of MyTalk Mobile with 12 cell capacity, using one or two boards. Using the 12 cells offered by MyTalk Mobile Lite, users can gain comfort with the mobile use and our online authoring (building communication boards or pages) via MyTalk Workspace. Using MyTalk Mobile Lite, experience the ultimate in customizable communications. If you find that MyTalk Mobile Lite provides the right solutions, but you would like the increased capacity of 32,000 cells, consider MyTalk Mobile.

Off We Go! Going on a Plane and Going to the Dentist books are available as iPhone and iPad apps in English and Spanish.  If you are going on a plane or visiting the dentist, you can use your iPhone or iPad to help prepare your child and make the experience easier for everyone. These books are a visual step by step guide to everyday experiences, particularly for children with special needs.

Open-Ended apps that have received positive feedback from parents and therapists who work with special needs kids. These apps don’t have a ”right” or “wrong”, but rather an open platform for children to experiment and explore: Draw With Stars, Snow Wonder, Faces iMake.

See. Touch. Learn. by Brain Parade See.Touch.Learn.™ is a picture learning system designed by professionals specifically for those with autism and other special needs. See.Touch.Learn.™ makes traditional picture cards obsolete. Parents and professionals use See.Touch.Learn.™ to build custom picture card lessons and automatically track their child’s responses. Includes a starter set of stunning, high-quality images and 60 exercises created by a certified behavior analyst! Additional libraries of images and lessons are available for purchase from within the app.

Sentence Builder by Mobile Education Store Sentence Builder is designed to help elementary aged children learn how to build grammatically correct sentences. Explicit attention is paid to the connector words that make up over 80% of the English language. Sentence Builder offers a rich and fun environment for improving the grammar of all children.

Speech With Milo: Verbs by Doonan Speech Therapy (See Demo Video) Created by a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist, this app offers a versatile and entertaining speech therapy tool for children. The app is for speech therapists working with children, or parents who want to teach language skills to their children. The animation that comes with Milo will keep any child focused and attentive. And most important- it is fun!

Story Builder by Mobile Education Store Story Builder is designed to help children accomplish the following educational goals: 1) Improve paragraph formation; 2) Improve integration of ideas; and 3) Improve higher level abstractions by inference. Extensive use of audio clips promotes improved auditory processing for special needs children with autism spectrum disorders or sensory processing disorders.

Zanny - Born to Run “Zanny, Born to Run” is part of the very first book series ever written expressly FOR children with special needs. We know that not all kids are the same, so each book address a different symptom, not a disorder. This way, stories can benefit “typical” children who might have difficulties in one area while also helping kids diagnosed with learning disabilities.

Additional Resources for Special Needs:

{ 29 comments… read them below or add one }

Bridget Bailey July 23, 2010 at 3:34 am

I have a blog also just for infants/toddlers with special needs using an iPad. http://babieswithipads.blogspot.com/

Dana Clerkin October 1, 2010 at 4:48 pm

I’d also like to recommend a new children’s app for special needs children based on the Peepers’ concept book “I Say…You Say…- A Zany Peep at Opposites.” This book has been used by teachers of autism who have found it effective because of its lyrical rhymes, repetition and engaging design. The children’s voices on the app are clear and endearing and children can identify with the many positive qualities of the Peepers’ personalities. Developed by Once Upon an App and released September 27th.

pragmatic mom October 1, 2010 at 10:46 pm

This is an awesome list. I was wondering if I could repost on my site, linking to you and crediting you, of course.

I love your blog and you are on my blogroll!

Lisa Hamm October 9, 2010 at 12:20 am

Check out the IPAD app for augmentative communication….the app is called Proloquo2Go….it’s the bomb!

Luis Perez November 6, 2010 at 6:41 pm

I maintain a wiki with an extensive app list, tutorials, and reviews at http://mobilelearning4specialneeds.wikispaces.com.

Lorianne November 20, 2010 at 12:42 pm

If anyone is looking for ideas for a new app, An app that would allow students with dysgraphia to do their math class work , show their work and print or email it to the teacher is desperately needed. The idev apps are great to teach the math sequence, but There is no way to save completed problems. Also for the times when a teacher wants to know if the student grasps the process, it gives too much help. There are virtually no options for kids who can,t write or line up numbers.
Thx
Lorianne

Pamela December 19, 2010 at 6:27 am

Hi Lorraine,

Just wanted to let you know that we went LIVE(!) tonight with our first app book/game for special needs kids, “Zanny, Born to Run”. This book deals with hyperactivity and impulsivity and employs really cool special effects like moving with gravity, touch-activated sound and movement features and animation.

Our next app book “Little Lilly’s Touch Book”, about tactile sensory avoidance, should be out soon(ish) too. More books to come.

If any of you know people in the Autism and special needs community whom you think we should contact about our app, please let us know. We are so excited about Zanny and can’t wait to show him off. Working on a promo code giveaway in the near future.

Also, if any our fellow Moms With Apps friends happen to check it out, please let us know what you think. We love feedback :)

Thanks for all of the support!

Pamela

Jeremy Brown January 7, 2011 at 4:36 am

If you are on Facebook, join the iTeach Special Education – iDevices in Special Education group!

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_122716487786903

Jason's Mom January 17, 2011 at 4:50 am

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/choiceboard-maker/id414362446?mt=8
Check out this app for creating customized choice boards for kids with different levels of visual and cognitive clarity. It is free!

Disabled Living January 27, 2011 at 12:00 am

I just discovered your website I and I must say that I am truly impressed with the wide selection of apps you have assembled here. It’s great that people with special needs have all of the this great stuff to teach and entertain them.

ASDMumOz February 10, 2011 at 5:38 am

Help needed for all parents not just special needs! An app to restrict access to apps or better still screen pages on the Ipad. Mum with Apps is a great source for me, a mum of three year old ASD son. We have lots of the apps recommended but we also have game apps both of which have enabled us to live a much less stressful life at home and out. But we are struggling to teach our little one different times for “therapy” and “fun” apps. At the moment all I can do is seperate on different pages it’s just not enough control of what is a great tool for special needs kids and families.

K Cloud March 9, 2011 at 3:52 pm

Are any of your members devoloping apps to use on the Samsung Galaxy Tablet? Specifically those involved in communication like Iconverse, My Choices, First-Then. I have these on my Iphone and they have been wonderful for my nonverbal son. But the size of the Galaxy would suit our needs better than an Ipad. But there is NOThing out there for these kids yet.

Bruce March 15, 2011 at 2:39 am

Just got an I PAD for my 10 year old son. He is non verbal with a dual diagnosis of Down Syndrome and ASD. I would welcome any advice on APPS to help him with his speech needs. His previous Aug. Com. device (LEO) was to cumbersome and restictive. Thanks for any input. Bruce

Will Kantz March 15, 2011 at 7:23 pm

We just released an ipad app inspired by “Willson” our son with autism. I just sent those to you using the “Leave a Comment” spot as a pdf. If their is a prefered method, please reply.

Thanks,
Will Kantz

John March 16, 2011 at 10:05 am

Thanks, you have a great blog here! I’m definitely going to bookmark you!

I found a Autism App site. It pretty much covers tech. related topic.

Come and check it out if you get time.

Cristen Reat March 20, 2011 at 8:59 pm

As a mother of a 7 year-old son with Down syndrome, I had tried for nearly 2 years to find a computer mouse my son Vincent could control. He has very poor fine motor skills, so I knew when the iPad was released, he would finally have the control we sought. My next challenge was to find apps that are appropriate and motivating for him. An informal group of parents, therapists, and teachers started meeting to discuss favorite apps for our special needs children and SNApps4Kids was born. We created a website to share what we are learning with parents and those who work with children with special needs. Please visit our site http://www.SNApps4Kids.com to share ideas and success stories with us!

Scott March 21, 2011 at 5:42 pm

Our son is 18 years old. He is autistic and has serious issues with regard to aggression. He spent over a year at a leading treatment facility that resulted in a comprehensive behavior plan. Part of that behavior plan involves functional communication that includes a choice board that uses pictures to indicate what activities are available and which are not. The communication board is half red (unavailable) and half green (available). Picture cards are moved from side to side to indicate what he can and cannot chose from. In addition there are different boards for every type of activity interval i.e. arts and music, games and entertainment, gym, chores, etc. I am interested in knowing if anyone knows of an app that would facilitate such a communication system on an ipad or other tablet pc. While we are fairly tech savvy but we are brand new to the world of ipads and apps. Our purchase of an ipad will depend on whether or not there is an app out there that can do what we need it to do. I would appreciate any advice anyone can give. There is so much information out there, I am just looking for some solid direction.

Erwin vd Hout March 29, 2011 at 2:22 pm

Hi,
I would like to draw attention to our new app, called iPicto, for iPhone and iPod
(since this week: also available the iPad app version).
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

Wayne Allen Bateman July 6, 2011 at 8:02 am

Please permit me to introduce you to a new children’s educational game for the iPad and iPhone:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/counting-beads/id441820190?mt=8&ls=1#

Counting Beads is a totally fun way for children to learn numbers and letters of the alphabet. The numbers (or letters) appear as colored beads that you connect by dragging each bead into its next higher numbered bead. As you connect the beads in numbered order, you create a chain that follows the lead bead as you drag. This teaches the numbers visually. You can also move the bead chain by holding the device face-up parallel to the floor and tilting it slightly to let gravity roll the leading bead downhill. Even older folks can have fun with this amusing simple game.

A brief demo video of this app is available on UTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GwIbIZOQu0

Jane August 10, 2011 at 8:35 pm

Excellent list–thanks for making so many of us aware of this

Traci Garceau August 27, 2011 at 4:30 pm

This is a wonderful list . Thank you so much for sharing.

Benster October 6, 2011 at 7:48 am

Hi,

How can I get my app listed here?
There are more videos at
http://www.facebook.com/pages/PictureCanTalk/150663874999091

Missy Olive October 30, 2011 at 7:43 am

Hi,
I just found your blog. Thanks for this great list!

Lynn Gallant November 22, 2011 at 6:44 pm

Where can I find apps for augmentative communication in French?

E vdhout December 9, 2011 at 9:08 am

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

Barbara January 13, 2012 at 10:48 am

This is for Lynn Gallant. Check out Alexia.com . It’s all in French. Also, Expressive.com, taptotalk.com, and tapspeak.com are all custom createable. In other words, you can change text and voice (also pictures) to your satisfaction.

Benster January 21, 2012 at 3:58 pm

Hi Lorraine,

Here you go.

PictureCanTalk (http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/picturecantalk/id434989881?mt=8) by Benster Tan(http://www.facebook.com/pages/PictureCanTalk/150663874999091) (See Demo Video(http://t.co/MMhg9Bt6)) PictureCanTalk helps individuals face with speech challenges to communicate their needs with the use of pictures. You could use it as a PECS or AAC tool. It is designed taking into considerations motor skills level, cognitive level to incorporate customizable picture sizes, number of syllabus in communication strip, tap or drag n drop gesture, recorded and synthesized voices (i.e. currently supports English, Danish, Finnish, Spanish, Swedish, French, Italian, German and Chinese Simplified. No internet connection is required), edit/list modes, hiding buttons to prevent users accidentally moving to other screen while they try to express their needs. It also has image editing capabilities to help caregivers cut the right picture for their loved ones. There is also text to image feature where caregivers can type text and save as image for end users communication needs. The entire setup and configuration can be backup. It can then be shared with multiple devices and end users.
There are a lot more! All carefully thought out that will help special needs children and adults to communicate.

Developers please note,
Drop me an email to include your app in the list. Please use the format as i did for mine (i.e. as above). We will help compile and get them listed.

Important Note:
Not all apps submitted will get listed. The app must be designed specifically for special needs. It will help if you can indicate specific special needs area the app works on (e.g. picture scheduling, aac, signing, etc.)

Moms With Apps January 21, 2012 at 9:23 pm

Thanks all. Please leave your comments of latest special needs apps, and as soon as I can get a volunteer to recompile the page I’ll post a new list. –Lorraine

virginia January 23, 2012 at 6:36 pm

I am looking for an APP for language delays receptive for a 9 year old. any advise. thanks

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