There's An App For That

For all of those wanting my list of Apps for the iPad, here is a collection of ones that I like, ones that were recommended to me and ones that are recommended by others (such as school districts, etc). Some I placed in more than one category. I would suggest to all of you virgin iPad users...if there is a cheaper version (free) of a particular app, get that one first. It is good to know if your child is actually going to use it. If there is an app that you really like, go to the creators page. You could end up discovering that they have also made others that are just as great.

*=A favorite for Cole
App Name-Creator-Price

Sensory
*Bubbles-Hog Bay Software-$.99. Great for fine motor skills. Can be used by low functioning kids. All you need to do is touch the screen.
Pocket Pond-John Moffett-Free. I don't recommend buying the upgrade on this as you can be charged for buying "fish". Cole likes the sound of the water when you touch the screen.
Art of Glow-Natenai Ariyatrakooi-Free. Similar to Bubbles.
*Baby Piano HD-Dream Cortex-$1.99. A great company that makes interactive apps, we have 3 from them. Cole loves to play the piano
**Sound Touch-SoundTouch-$2.99. This also has a free version. Cole uses it every day. It has multiple categories, with pictures and sounds. Each animated icon has over 6 real life pictures and sounds to associate with it. Can be used for low functioning kids, you only have to touch the screen.

Motor skills
*Alphabet Car-Dream Cortex-$1.99. Cole likes to "drive" the bus. You hold the iPad like a steering wheel and navigate. It is also educational.
Clicky Sticky-Invocore-$.99. Teaches fine motor skills with dragging "stickers" into a picture.
*KidArt-GP Apps-$.99. Has three themes. Can "paint", drag stickers onto a background, or make your own creation and save your masterpieces for a screen saver.

Educational
*Fish School-Duck Duck Moose-$1.99.
Baby Flashcards HD-Dream Cortex-$1.99.
**Sound Touch-SoundTouch-$2.99. This also has a free version. Cole uses it every day. It has multiple categories, with pictures and sounds. Each animated icon has over 6 real life pictures and sounds to associate with it. Can be used for low functioning kids, you only have to touch the screen.
Alphabet Tracing-Oncilla Technology-Free. Teaches how to create letters and numbers. Follow a train with your finger, also has the dots like the old school worksheets.
*Alphabet Car-Dream Cortex-$1.99. Cole likes to "drive" the bus. You hold the iPad like a steering wheel and navigate. Also teaches words, etc.
*Colors For Toddlers-Hello Kensho-$.99. Not even kidding, this is what taught Cole his colors. After trying flashcards, crayons, playdough, objects, etc...this simple app taught him the difference between green and blue.

Interactive Books and Songs-All of these have interactive capabilities. When you touch the screen, it will sing to you, read to you, or create a reaction in the characters.
*Itsy Bitsy-Duck Duck Moose-$1.99. This is a great company, that makes wonderful apps for kids. They are very interactive and Cole goes to them day in and day out.
*Wheels On The Bus-Duck Duck Moose-$1.99
*Old MacDonald-Duck Duck Moose-$1.99
*Toy Story Read Along-Disney-Free
*Lightning Was Here:My Puzzle Book-Disney-$.99

Special Needs Specific
*AutismXpress-StudioEmotion-Free. We also have the upgraded version. It has been helpful for Cole to start to understand how to express certain emotions.
Tap To Talk-Assistyx Inc-Free. I chose this instead of the really expensive Proloquo2go that is recommended by a lot of speech therapists. Pro is very useful for kids that are non-verbal. I wanted Cole to at least be familiar with the concept if (heaven forbid) he ever loses his speech.

Other or Just Plain Useful
*Screen Cleaner Pro-Jamoke Innovations-$.99. Dogs licking the screen. Cole absolutely loves it. Go figure.
My Potty Chart-Red Piston-$.99. Interactive sticker chart.
Talking Roby-Outfit7-Free. Cole's speech therapist recommended this one. The robot can speak back to you, dance, etc.
FeverMeds-EllaSeven Software-$1.99. Developed by a Pediatrician (who happens to be related to me), you can stop forgetting if it is time for Motrin or Tylenol. It has a timer that will remind you what med, what dose and when to give your sick little one fever reducers. I know it's been helpful for me when I lose track of which med is next and is it 3 hours or 4?
This spreadsheet is very well put together. It is a review on apps to use for autism, built by three different bloggers coming together. I found the reviews to be really helpful and am looking into getting some of the recommended apps for Cole.

Recommended by School District in Utah
AAC Software
Proloquo2Go - $189.99
iConverse - $9.99
iCommunicate - $29.99
iPrompts - $49.99
Look2Learn - $24.99
TapSpeak Button - $0.99
TapSpeak Button for iPad - $9.99
Speakit - $1.99
DAF Assistant Legacy - $9.99

Study Skills
FlashCards Deluxe - $3.99
myHomework - free

Writing
Paper Desk LT - free
Dragon Dictation - free
Evernote - free

-and a little plug for my brother. Area 51-NSB-$.99, has nothing to do with development, but it is a really fun game. He created it..go and buy it (and watch out for those black holes)! My personal favorite is iBooks. I'm an avid reader, but rarely get to go to the bookstore or library. I love being able to download books and not have to go to the store! Plus, I don't have to find a place to put the book when I am done! I also like Netflix :)