Technology has significantly impacted our daily lives, in some ways for the better, and some ways for the worse. Whatever your feelings may be about our increasingly digital world, there are definite advantages of incorporating technology in applied behavior analysis therapy, particularly through the use of apps for autism. Many schools now provide adaptive technology (or assistive technology) for children who are on the autism spectrum, which provide useful tools for building cognitive, communication, executive functioning, and social skills.
With a wide array of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) apps on the market today, it may be difficult to know what apps to incorporate into your practice of applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy. Autism Speaks has created a comprehensive guide of apps for autism, if you wish to see a wide range separated by category: recreation, social skills, accessibility, behavioral intervention, communication, creative arts, education, functional skills, language, math skills, and organizer. (Please note: there are many pages to sift through here!)
A tip for apps: some can be more expensive than others. If you’re using an app for the first time, you may want to opt for downloading the “lite” or free version before downloading the full version of the app. This will allow you to test out the app and make sure it’s a good fit for your child or student.
Here are some of the best apps for kids with ASD:
ABA Flash Cards: can be helpful to engage children during ABA therapy sessions
Dexteria: helps to improve motor skills
‘First, Then’ Visual Scheduling: helps with executive functioning and scheduling
iCommunicate: helps to build communication skills
iPrompts: helps with executive functioning and organization
Proloquo2Go: helps to build communication skills
Stories2Learn: helps to build communication and literacy skills
Talking Picture Board: helps to build communication skills
TouchChat: helps to build communication skills
Turn Taker: helps with social skills and sharing
Keep in mind, every child is different, so an app that works with one child may not be a good fit for another.
Contact us to learn more about the range of services we provide for children who are on the autism spectrum at Chicago ABA Therapy, including applied behavior analysis therapy, occupational therapy, and speech-language pathology.
