Apps for Autism: An Essential Guide to Over 200 Effective Apps for Improving Communication, Behavior

Autism? There’s an app for that!

Actually, there are more than 200 apps for autism, and this book will guide you through them so you can confidently utilize today’s technology to maximize your child or student’s success!

Speech Language Pathologist Lois Jean Brady wrote this book in order to educate parents, teachers, and other professionals about the breakthrough method she calls “iTherapy”—which is the use of Apple products (iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch) and various apps (computer applications) in meeting students’ individual educational goals.

Lois believes that all persons on the spectrum can learn how to use technology in a way that is relevant to them. She shares important tips on how to use apps responsibly and effectively by maintaining a child-centered, team approach to teaching and learning, taking into account the individual’s interests, strengths/challenges, vision, motor planning, attention, sensory processing, memory, cognitive ability, environment, and access to tools. Lois also coaches adults on how they can use prompting and reinforcement techniques to help establish and generalize skills learned, until students are able to consistently demonstrate the skills in various environments (home, school, etc.).

For those who are new to the wonderful world of apps, worry not! Lois provides helpful sections on how to get started, including: Choosing an iDevice, Basic iDevice Operations, Opening an Account, How to Download an App from iTunes, and more!

You will be astonished and excited by the number of apps available, and the vast variety of issues they can address:

Voice Output
Sign Language
One-Touch Switch
Text-to-Speech
Articulation
Encouragement
Listening and Auditory Processing
Language Comprehension
Vocabulary
Concept Development
Video Modeling
Social Skills Group Activities
Eye Contact and Body Language
Hygiene & Pre-Vocational
Graphic Organizers & Visual Supports
Visual Timers
Sound Masking
Handwriting
Bilateral Coordination
Motor Planning
Activities of Daily Living
Reading
Spelling
Math
Preschool
Dysphagia
Aphasia, Apraxia & Dysarthria
Stuttering
Music, Songs & Creativity
Information about Autism
Eating Gluten Free
And more!

Binding: Paperback
Pages: 400

Lois Brady, M.A., CCC-SLP, is passionate about working with the special needs community. She found her calling while in high school, when she spent her summer breaks volunteering in camp programs for children with special needs. Lois has over two decades of experience working as a Speech Language Pathologist specializing in Autism Spectrum Disorder. She has earned a Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology, Certificate in Assistive Technology, Certificate in Computer Based Intervention, and has completed an Animal Assisted Therapy Program. Lois coauthored the book Speech in Action, featuring approaches that combine occupational therapy, adaptive physical education, and speech-language pathology, and is currently conducting research in communication disorders and developing products (apps) to enhance communication and language.

“Lois has taken an important leap in writing this book, providing a much-needed primer for considering the newest, mobile, educational technologies … For parents, teachers, and therapists, it is important to understand what the individual apps can and cannot do, and to be able to carefully consider features relevant to individual needs. From communication to literacy, recreation, and accessories, Apps for Autism provides a wealth of useful information to read and reference.” —Samuel Sennott, a Ph.D. Student in Special Education and Augmentative and Alternative Communication at the Pennsylvania State University, and co-creator of the app Proloquo2Go

Foreword

Introduction

In the News (“Zach’s a Mac”)

About Apps for Autism

How to Use This Book

What is iTherapy?

Getting Started

Choosing an iDevice

Basic iDevice Operations

Opening an Account

How to Download an App from iTunes

Getting the Most from an App Purchase Page

Volume Purchase Program

Volume Purchase Program Step-by-Step Instructions

Part I: Apps to Get the Word(s) Out
Chapter 1: Voice Output
Chapter 2: Sign Language
Chapter 3: One-Touch Switch
Chapter 4: Text-to-Speech
Chapter 5: Articulation
Chapter 6: Encouragement

Part II: Receptive Language
Chapter 7: Listening and Auditory Processing
Chapter 8: Language Comprehension

Part III: Vocabulary and Concept Development
Chapter 9: Vocabulary
Chapter 10: Concept Development

Part IV: Pragmatics & Social Skills
Chapter 11: Video Modeling
Chapter 12: Social Skills Group Activities
Chapter 13: Eye Contact and Body Language
Chapter 14: Hygiene & Pre-Vocational

Part V: Organizers & Visual, Graphic & Auditory Aids
Chapter 15: Graphic Organizers & Visual Supports
Chapter 16: Visual Timers
Chapter 17: Sound Masking

Part VI: Apps for Occupational Therapy
Chapter 18: Handwriting
Chapter 19: Bilateral Coordination
Chapter 20: Motor Planning
Chapter 21: Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)

Part VII: General Education
Chapter 22: Reading
Chapter 23: Spelling
Chapter 24: Math
Chapter 25: Preschool

Part VIII: Neurological Communication Disorders (dysarthria, aphasia, apraxia & dysphagia)
Chapter 26: Dysphagia
Chapter 27: Aphasia, Apraxia & Dysarthria

Part IX: Stuttering
Chapter 28: Stuttering

Part X: Creative Learning
Chapter 29: Music, Song & Creativity

Part XI: Information for Parents & Caregivers
Chapter 30: Information about Autism
Chapter 31: Gluten Free

Part XII: Cool Stuff
Chapter 32: Cool Stuff

Conclusion

Giving Something Back: The iDevice Recycle Program

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