iPad Apps for Autistic and Nonverbal Children

This video is a presentation given by Lauren Meatty, a pediatric occupational therapist who has worked with students with special needs for over 25 years. Throughout the video, she gives a variety of iPad apps that can be used to engage autistic and nonverbal students in the classroom. 

Lauren begins the presentation with an inspirational story about a two and a half year old girl with spastic quadriplegia (cerebral palsy) who had limited mobility and fisted hands. This child had difficulty becoming highly motivated or even interested in the world around her. When given an iPad, she was able to activate and operate something on her own with just one touch. This child began to open her hands and became instantly engaged.

Below are apps Lauren discusses and demonstrates throughout the video. These apps are designed for the iPad to use in your classroom with students who have motor, communication, writing, and reading disabilities. 

Motor Control Apps

• Magic Piano
• Drum App - Helps students work on an isolated finger point

Communication Apps

• Sign Language - Teaches students or parents who are beginning to learn sign language. This program teaches the meaning of signs with visual pictures. 
• Going Places - Social stories to teach about social skills and interactions.
• Yes/No - Gives nonverbal students the ability to give yes or no commands. It is also possible to program choices (e.g. milk or juice for snack time) with pictures instead of words.
• Sonic Pix - Make social stories about life skills by taking pictures and including narrations.
• Speak It - Type words, and the app will speak what you typed.

Writing Apps

• Little Sky Writers - airplane that goes around letters (using finger) to trace letters correctly
• Doodle Buddy - Write free form letters and create pictures with stamps

Reading/Book Apps

• Disney Digital Books - Students are able to read words, look at pictures, then swipe their finger to turn the page. Students and parents can also record their own voices.

Other Apps

• Puzzles and connect the dots
• Memory games

I would love to incorporate iPads into my daily classroom instruction. I believe all of my students would benefit from the use of many of these apps discussed. I have a non-English speaking student in my room that could use many of the communication apps to verbalize wants and needs, participate in lessons, and communicate with other students. The only downfall is cost. Since iPads are expensive, it would be difficult to get a class set for all my students. However, with the increase on their importance in the classroom, I believe school districts will begin to purchase more and more each year. Fundraising is also an option!