10 Innovative Apps Every Parents With Special Kids Should Be Aware Of

Education is a powerful weapon that can be used to change the world. But not everyone is fortunate enough to utilize this weapon. Millions of children worldwide are incapable of learning or grasping knowledge. They face difficulty even in comprehending the simplest things in life.

Around 150 million children worldwide, suffer from disabilities that restrict them from living an educated life. It is estimated that 1 in every 10 children have Dyslexia (Kids with dyslexia have trouble in reading accurately and fluently, reading comprehension, spelling, and writing.)which even they themselves are ignorant about.

There are millions of other children who suffer from disabilities like

• Auditory Processing Disorder (APD)– Kids with APD condition can’t process what they hear in the same way other kids do because their ears and brain don’t fully coordinate. Something interferes with the way the brain recognizes and interprets sounds, especially speech.
• Dysgraphia-Dysgraphia is a condition that causes trouble with written expression, Children with Dysgraphia has messy handwriting. They struggle with spelling and putting thoughts on paper.
• Language Processing Disorder(LPD)-LPD is a neurological problem. Children with LPD faces extreme difficulty understanding what you hear and expressing what you want to say.
• Visual Perceptual/ Visual Motor Deficit-A visual processing, or perceptual, disorder refers to a hindered ability to make sense of information taken in through the eyes. This is different from problems involving sight or sharpness of vision. Difficulties with visual processing affect how visual information is interpreted, or processed by the brain

Many such other conditions also hinder their learning process. However, such difficulties or disabilities should never captivate a child in darkness forever. The light of knowledge should reach every child despite their condition, and with the increased advances in technology, it is now possible to do the impossible.

Advances in technology have gifted us wonders like iPads, Tablets, Androids, iOs and uncountable apps. These technologies have surely brought light into many lives and now it’s time they shed some light in the lives of these tiny nestlings too, who await a push to fly the skies.

Although we have numerous educational apps today, that can make learning simpler for these special kids, it is necessary to realize which educational technology perfectly suits which child. It is essential to first understand that the difficulties in learning differ with every condition. Some conditions are visible and diagnosed right from the birth, whereas other conditions remain hidden, leaving the child struggling at every step of his/her life. Hence, it is necessary to correctly identify the syndrome before deciding on which process or system of education to follow.

To make things simpler, we have put down a short list of educational apps, categorizing them according to the needs of different kids.

For children with the special cases like Autism, Dysgraphia, Language Processing Disorder, Visual Perceptual/ Visual Motor Deficit, these are a few apps that would be beneficial.

1-Proloquo2GO

Proloquo2GO Is an Augmentative Alternative Communication Solution for children with speech difficulty. Children suffering from autism and cerebral palsy have difficulties in communicating which is one major factor that limits their learning process. This app provides natural sounding to texts, has a library with 14,000 symbols, advance word predictions and a research-based vocabulary that allows creating sentences of varying complexities. This app supports and is available on iOS, iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch and is using the language English.

https://itunes.apple.com/in/app/proloquo2go/id308368164?mt=8

2-Learn With Rufus

Learn With Rufus is specifically created for children suffering from Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This condition restricts a person from learning the different categories and groups. Children with such a syndrome usually find it difficult to learn colors, shapes, fruits etc. In some major conditions, it even becomes difficult for the child to recognize between male and female. Hence, this app features fun games for children to learn different categories. This app is currently available in both English and Spanish and supports iOs, iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.rufusrobot.emotions

3-Visual Routine

Visual Routine is again an app to support students with autism. It is a simple application that helps a child to maintain a daily routine. This routine can be tailored according to various needs, with audio feedbacks, visuals, pictures, texts etc. This app is currently available in iPad and iPhone and uses the language English.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/visual-routine/

4-Write My Name

Write My Name is an application that helps children with dysgraphia, who might have trouble with fine motor growth, written language processing, letter reversal errors, visual and spelling issues. It is difficult for such children to learn upper and lower case alphabets. Hence, this application aligns with Kindergarten and first grade English Common Core State Standards to teach kids to write letters and 112 preloaded sight words. This app is currently available for iPads and uses the language English.

https://itunes.apple.com/in/app/write-my-name/id500623496?mt=8

5-Dexteria

Dexteria is an award-winning app designed to support pre-school kids to gain fine motor skills. This app benefits students suffering from dysgraphia and focuses on teaching math concepts, correct letter formations, and other gross motor skills. This app is currently available in English and for iPads and iPhones.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/dexteria-fine-motor-skill-development/
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.binarylabs.dexteria

6-Zones Of Regulation

Zones Of Regulation is a curriculum designed for students with autism to learn, control and react to different emotions. This app features activities that present various situations to the students for them to recognize emotions and to help them gain skills in regulating their actions, which in turn leads to increased control and problem-solving abilities. This app is currently available on iPhones and iPads.

There are many other children who may not be diagnosed with any particular syndrome, but yet might be facing difficulty in learning or speaking. Such kids need special attention too, and here are some apps to help with.

7-Montessori Numbers

Montessori Numbers makes it easier for children to understand the relation and difference between quantity and numbers. This application features hundreds of board activities to help learn numeric orders and patterns that can be useful for any kid trying to learn maths a different way. This app is available for iPad, iPhone, iPad Touch and uses the language English.

https://itunes.apple.com/in/app/montessori-numbers-learn-to-count-from-1-to-1000-other/id547209737?mt=8

8-Sounding Out Machine

Sounding Out Machine is a great application that teaches children the correct pronunciation of words. It supports those students who have difficulty in reading and pronouncing. This app features word games that teach the students to decode difficult words, chunk them into syllables and use phonic skills. Is currently available in English and for iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch.

9-Speech With Milo

Speech With Milo is a speech therapy tool that helps children learn verbs and basic English grammar, through watching the actions of the cute mouse Milo. This app makes it fun and easy for every kid to learn language skills. Is currently available in iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, Android and Kindle Fire Education.

https://itunes.apple.com/in/app/speech-with-milo-sequencing/id431803095?mt=8

10-Math Evolve

Math Evolve is for any kid facing difficulty solving or understanding the concepts of mathematics. This app features story mode revolutionary math games that make addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division simpler and interesting for kids. This app is available for iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch. With today’s technology and the increased educational opportunity, it is easier to spread the light of education. It requires only a bit more of attention and time to bring out the specialty in every special kid. Let’s remember that even Sir Einstein was dyslexic.

https://itunes.apple.com/in/app/math-evolve-a-fun-math-game/id532567690?mt=12

Let us know if we missed any good app from the list that you use to help your superheroes.

References:

• https://www.understood.org/en/learning-attention-issues/child-learning-disabilities/dysgraphia/understanding-dysgraphia
• www.ldonline.org/article/6390/
• https://www.educationalappstore.com/app/proloquo2go
• http://www.assistiveware.com/product/proloquo2go
• http://www.dexteria.net/
• http://www.zonesofregulation.com/learn-more-about-the-zones.html
• https://www.chicagospeechtherapy.com/speech-with-milo-verbs-a-fun-language-development-app-for-parents-and-speech-therapists/
• https://www.teacherswithapps.com/the-sounding-out-machine-assistive-reading-device/
• http://mathevolve.com/Features.html