Autism Apps - Updated Literacy Apps
Literacy Apps for Students with Disabilities
Dr. Katharina Boser
The apps included here include those for data management and assessment using ipads and cloud storage. The presentation will focus on apps to improve word knowledge, phonics and vocabulary as well as comprehension apps and graphic organizers to improve understanding of words (see pages associated with these apps). We will be learning how to make a variety of different kinds of digital books and digital stories to improve access to words with audio, photos and text. Animation, audio and text integration apps for photo stories and other story making skills are also part of the discussion for improving literacy skills. UDL focuses us on finding new ways to represent information and allow students to ‘show what they know’—so these tools should allow a variety of multimedia formats for the literacy process to thrive at a variety of levels.
UDL links
This app is for teachers and parents to search for content specific online teaching resources aligned with Universal Design for Learning. Users can complete a "Class Profile" narrowing the resources by content, grade level and topic. When prompted, questions in the profile tool narrow the search further by asking questions aligned with UDL. In the resources section of the app, teachers can search for lesson plans, multimedia, practice, games, tutorials or by topic and unique search terms.https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/udlinks/id454517781?mt=8
Autism Apps
Autism Apps is simply a comprehensive list of apps that are being used with and by people diagnosed with autism, Down syndrome and other special needs. It also includes links to any available information that can be found for each app. The Apps are also separated into over 30 categories, and the descriptions are all searchable, so any type of app is easy to find and download.https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/autism-apps/id441600681?mt=8
Students can access OpenEd to view the course topics and resources assigned to them to use. Will show videos and allow them to view information related to the CCSStandard selected. https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/opened/id756578913?mt=8
Cardboard
Cardboard allows download of word/picture pairs from google docs or Quizlet, make your own or get new set of flashcards. picture and text input. Make your own memory match game. Cost $1.99 Timing feature. download on itunes
LiveBinders
Make your content useful: LiveBinders lets you integrate a variety of Web content into virtual 3-Ring binders. Paste any link into binder tabs. Add and edit text to give your binders more context.https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/livebinders/id492195549?mt=8
Socrative
Socrative lets you ask questions of your class (one photo per question) and get an immediate response from their ipads.https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/teacher-clicker-socrative/id477620120?mt=8
Nearpod
The Nearpod platform enables teachers to use their iPads to manage content on students' iPads, iPhones or iPods. It combines presentation, collaboration, and real-time assessment tools into one integrated solution. https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/nearpod/id523540409?mt=8
Google Drive
http://google.com –see also docs and sheets –some features such as ‘forms’ not available in app version.
Tiny Tap
TinyTap allows you create educational games .add a photo, record some questions, trace the answers and you're ready to play! Games are simple to create and can even be shared with friends.All games can be personalized to suit the needs and interests of each individual child. https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/tinytap-moments-into-games/id493868874?mt=8
Quizzam
The flexible, easy-to-use buzz-in app for classrooms lets teachers and students use iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch devices in a group setting. This turns teaching, reviewing, and testing into a game that keeps students engaged in their learning. Best of all, its simple.**tps://itunes.apple.com/us/app/quizzam!/id529962644?mt=8**
BitsBoard
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/bitsboard-education-games/id516842210?mt=8
Access to the Bitsboard catalog including tens of thousands of gorgeous flashcards and carefully curated lessons covering hundreds of topics.
Bitsboard is ideal for learning languages, mastering vocabulary, learning to read, learning to speak, becoming the next spelling champion and so much more…Bitsboard is fully customizable to meet your specific learning needs . tracks progress and level of mastery
Symtrend
Symtrend is a data tracking tool for behavior management. ABC. Can be customized. Free version https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/symtrendid330237672?mt=8. See also no more meltdowns.
Word Games
Word Bingo
Listen to the word BINGO Bug speaks and tap on the corresponding word on the screen. Get four words correct vertically, horizontally or diagonally to get BINGO and win! The quicker you get BINGO the better your score. Your score is based on time and the lower the score, the better. Earn a BINGO Bug when you beat your best score. Tap and drag the letters to spell the word the BINGO bug speaks. Spell ten words to play a bonus game! You can choose to show or hide the spelling of each word in game settings. Rewarding Bingo bugs game.cost .99 https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/word-bingo/id406264088?mt=8
Word Wizard
Word Wizard allows the student to hear the sounds each letter makes along with the sound of the word. Like a speak n spell for the ipad. https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/word-wizard-talking-movable/id447312716?mt=8 cost 2.99
Phonics Advanced
A fun way for your child to learn more Advanced Phonics skill. Bugs are used to add whimsy and help in the teaching. This tutorial is highly interactive, giving your 1st grader a chance to relate to advanced phonics topics on a personal level and get instant feedback on how they are doing. They learn to handle two letters that represent one sound, decode regularly spelled one and two syllable words, know how to break words into syllables, use final e to make long and short vowels, and add endings like ing, ed and s to words.cost 1.99 https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/phonics-advanced-1st-grade/id472784928?mt=8
Bluster!
Breeze through vocabulary building with Bluster! This word matching game develops vocabulary and word understanding for school-aged children, or anyone brave enough to battle the elements. Shine bright in single-player mode as you learn and practice important word skills. Match rhyming words, prefixes and synonyms.etc. View in the iTunes web catalog
Word Mess
Word Mess is a game where you find rhyming words (and other features)in set of written words. Timed. https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/word-mess/id504739597?mt=8
Visual Dictionary/Thesaurus
Enter a word and see the related words and connections in the thesaurus, get a dictionary definition using the Visual Theasaurus (based on web version) cost 1.99 https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/visual-dictionary-thesaurus/id501379071?mt=8
Visual dictionary
Dictionary with visual images for every word. 3 dimensional worlds. In app purchases. https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/visual-dictionary-learn-33/id605044631?mt=8
Spelling City
SpellingCity is a fun way to learn spelling and vocabulary words by playing engaging learning games using any word list. The most popular activities are a spelling test, HangMouse, and the vocabulary games. https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/id538407602?mt=8
Word Web (audio)
A quick, easy to use, and comprehensive international English dictionary and thesaurus with 70 000 professionally recorded British and international audio pronunciations. Fast searching, detailed definitions, synonyms, derived words, examples, and a great user interface let you easily navigate between words as you discover and explore their meanings.
**https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/audio-dictionary-wordweb-british/id309527746?mt=8&ign-mpt=uo%3D4**
Mee Genius Books
MeeGenius! The #1 app for childrens books. Downloaded millions of times by parents across the globe. MeeGenius is the fun, free and easy-to-use library of e-books you and your little ones can enjoy. PRAISE FROM THE MEDIA People Magazine All your kids books right at your fingertips .. View in the i
Raz Kids-Learning A-Z
Now students can access the Raz-Kids "A to Z" area right from an iPad! The RazKidsAtoZ provides every student in your classroom the Reading A-Z leveled books and quizzes to practice reading and check understanding. View in the iTunes web catalog
Crack the Books
Pines to vines https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/pines-to-vines-forest-biome/id617723197?mt=8Crack the Books are the first digital books that can be ADJUSTED FOR READING LEVEL without sacrificing curriculum content. Targeting 3rd to 5th grade science and social studies core curriculum concepts, our digital books allow for reading level adjustment from 1st grade to 8th grade, making it possible for all students in a classroom to access the same curriculum content regardless of their reading ability.
$9.99 per book see also SeaShores and Floors and Bladeshttp://mobile-educationstore.com/itextbooks
Story Pals
Story pals is a great tool for reading books, hearing the text with a human voice and creating your own books and quizzes based on the books. Can create several student accounts and access ongoing data on comprehension (multiple choice). Cost is currently about $20 https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/storypals/id502655731?mt=8
Opposites
Leveled game that helps kids practice matching Opposites. You have to match the opposite words that float up in word bubbles and bounce around the top of the page. Match as many opposites as you can before the bubbles reach the floor and game over. Built in dictionary for all of the games words and it’s broken out by the level.. https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/the-opposites/id480194638?mt=8
English Idioms
What is the meaning behind English idioms, and where do they come from? Join Professor Potts to discover the secret history of more than 160 beautifully illustrated English idioms, from "Achilles heel" to "Wrong side of bed"..View in the iTunes web catalog
Word Mover
ReadWriteThink's Word Mover mobile app is used to supplement classroom instruction, reinforce concepts taught in class, and offer increased student engagement. Word Mover allows students to create "found poetry" by choosing from word banks and existing famous works; additionally, users can add new words to create a piece of poetry by moving/manipulating the text. (see also other RWT apps—timeliner and alphabet organizer)
**https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/word-mover/id572997152?mt=8**
Sentence Builder
Sentence builder gives students multiple levels of practice using various sentence structures. With over 250 built in sentences and a fully customizable 'create your own' section, learn about words, sentences, pronunciation, grammar, and punctuation. Move words around to build the sentence. Each can be clicked for the sound, and rearranged to make a proper sentence. focus on daily life situations, with many references to numbers, colors, and dialogue. https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/sentence-builder-app/id512507120?mt=8
Scene Speak
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/scene-speak/id420492342?mt=8 Scene speak is a $9.99 app that helps with vocabulary in context. Lets the student touch on a hotspot to hear what the text is saying for that area. Templates include different rooms in a house.
Speech Journal
Speech Journal is a customizable voice recorder that lets you pair recorded messages with your own imported images and image sequences$3.99 https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/speech-journal/id436945985?mt=8 (see also other mobile technology apps in LiveBinder under Language Communication)
Between the Lines
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/between-the-lines-level-2-hd/id574676821?mt=8 Between the lines app helps students understand inference when reading or observing. Asks the question? What are other people thinking? Free lite. But Costs $15.99 for set.
Abitalk comprehension
Abitalk has created a set of apps with comprehension questions, built in books also allow you to make your own quizzes and insert reading passages. Email results of quizzes. See full set at http://abitalk.com
Super Duper apps
Super duper Apps for what were they thinking
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/super-duper-what-are-they/id439332859?mt=8
and Understanding inferences
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/understanding-inferences-fun/id444993226?mt=8
.
Allows user to listen to voices and respond
Mobile technology Apps
Set of apps for working on Question comprehension and sentence comprehension with data collection and different levels of learning. Picture to sentence correspondence. See full list of different apps at
http://mobile-educationstore.com/
Tactus Naming/Comprehension
Tactus has created a full set of therapy apps include Naming, comprehension and other reading skills –many different sets of images and words to choose from with data for each student..can be sent to therapist.see http://tactustherapy.com/apps/. Up to $59.00 for whole set.
Apps for Reading with TTS and Writing with Word prediction
Voice Dream
Free version gets you 15 minutes of reading. Full app is about $9.99 allows text to speech in several voices of webpages, pdfs and a variety of different e text formats.https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/voice-dream-reader-text-to/id496177674?mt=8
Clicker Sentences
Clicker sentences and docs are both around $20 and have many of the same features (great word banks to support vocabulary retrieval) but sentences is for lower level group. Has less of an expanded word dictionary.currently about $20. https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/clicker-sentences/id575603433?mt=8
iReadWrite
Runs right on ipad with no wifi needed. Support features in iReadWrite include:
Text-to-speech, Word Prediction, Phonetic Spell Checker, Homophone and Confusables Checker, Dictionary, Picture Dictionary, Customizable Background and Text Colors, Choice of Voices and Fonts,Importing and Sharing documents.Cost $19.99
Avaz
Avaz uses picture symbols and high-quality voice synthesis to help users create messages. It comes with 3 research-based, graded picture vocabularies, and a Core Words set that will help a child begin to communicate. These vocabularies have been designed to facilitate spontaneous novel utterance generation, encouraging a child to not only use language, but also generalize from it.
While Avaz helps a child get started quickly with pictures, it's also great for facilitating easy transition into text. Avaz's keyboard has support for saving and loading text, a Quick response bar for frequently-used messages, and a picture-assisted text prediction capability for sight readers.$199 (pro version) https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/avaz-pro-aac-app-for-autism/id558161781?mt=8
AutismMate
Visual learning app personalized to each user and progresses with the changing needs of the individual. This enables users to develop communication and life skills simultaneously, allowing each skill to build on the other. AutisMate’s comprehensive visual supports allow you to create contextual environments that are perfect for all ages and accommodate a wide range of ability levels, from individuals that are just beginning to communicate to those that are verbal and using visual supports to promote independence. Includes video modeling, content library, sentence builder, visual schedules and more Cost $149 https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/autismate/id512132428?mt=8
Abilipad
Currently about $20. Great took for building sentences with text to speech and prediction and many images to include with the text. Allows customizable keyboards that act as word banks. Keyboard Editor enables one to quickly and easily create customized keyboard layouts: Assign each key any letter, word, sentence or picture. Merge cells together to form larger keys Create audio recordings Select from various fonts and letters sizes.Use different colors for the grid, keys and letters. Linked keyboards enable one to effortlessly shift between keyboards https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/abilipad/id435865000?mt=8
Handwriting Heros
Handwriting Heroes teaches lower case letter formation through animation, stories and music. The playful characters and their humorous antics help children recall the steps for forming letters. The app is part of a highly effective, multisensory program based on years of research and development.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/handwriting-heroes/id1057029973?mt=8
Vizzle Player
The VizZle Player (TM) is a kid-friendly environment that allows educators and parents to launch interactive instructional lessons for children who learn best from visually supported materials (e.g. children with autism, in early education, or typical children with a visual learning style). VizZle Player was designed using exclusively licensed intellectual property stemming from research proving the efficacy of a visual language-based approach to educating students with autism. It is also equally effective for any student who learns best visually. Content Cost is subscription based player free.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/vizzle-player/id474594699?mt=8
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/speak-it!-text-to-speech/id308629295?mt=8
Free text reader. Add any text from clipboard. Now $1.99
Vbookz pdf
Reads pdf—free version only has a few options. Cost about $4.99 https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/vbookz-pdf-voice-reader-us/id497274026?mt=8 t
iBooks
Nuance Communications PaperPort Notes is a digital note taking tool for the iPad that is transforming the way people create and share information. Now you can combine documents, web content, audio, typed text as well as hand written notes into a single document that you can easily organize and share with anyone.
View in the iTunes web catalog
Cross platform app https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ezpdf-reader-pdf-reader-annotator/id396101792?mt=8 Annotates highlights and reads PDF docs. Cost about $2.99—there is a free option
Pencasts
Pencast Player is an easy-to-use application powered by Livescribe that allows you to download, view and play your smartpen notes, audio recordings, or interactive pencasts. With Pencast Player on your iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch, you can view all your uploaded pencasts on your My Livescribe account. So when you’re on-the-go, you can replay your pencasts with the tap of a finger. You can also download public pencasts from the community to view on your device. https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/pencast-player/id389244675?mt=8
Puffin
People, especially the smartest of all, say that mobile devices can’t handle the burden of Flash, but we say otherwise. As a true believer of Think Different, we think your Internet experience should not be limited by your devices, nor by your wallet. The Puffin Browser encapsulates remote Flash technology to enlighten the mobile users to watch Flash videos, play Flash games, and tap into an endless sea of Flash content; all by running Flash on our servers. Flash performs so well that even low-end smart phones can display Flash content as smoothly as expensive devices.