13 apps that support and empower the autistic community
Image: YouTube/AssistiveWear
Whether
it’s a notes app to remember your grocery list or a game to feel less
frustrated during delays in your commute, you probably use apps on a
regular basis. But you probably don't think of it as anything special — just normal tech. Yet that
ability to fill a need with a simple download on an already accessible
device has held particular, and sometimes life-changing, importance to
the autistic community.
People on the autism spectrum have
begun to use apps as tools to turn their phones and tablets into
assistive tech, catered to their needs. Simple, common devices we all
have in our homes and pockets can suddenly become pieces of technology
that enable communication, enhance social skills and radically improve
learning, both in and out of the classroom, for autistic people.
"Smartphones have opened a door to a whole new world for our community."
Julia Bascom, executive director of the Autistic Self Advocacy Network, tells Mashable
that the "explosion of apps" over the past few years has been
remarkable, giving autistic people more ways to express themselves and
more ways to connect.
"You hear from a lot of thinkpieces that smartphones are destroying
the youth of today," Bascom says. "But, from our perspective,
smartphones have opened a door to a whole new world for our community.”
Not only are apps and new forms of tech helping to streamline and
enhance communication, but they are also helping to lessen the stigma
that sometimes follows assistive tech. Bascom says a lot of kids would
be reluctant to use assistive tech in the past. Big, bulky devices that
enabled communication, but were very obvious pieces of assistive tech,
would instantly set autistic people apart from their peers.
“What we see now is that if a kid is using a tablet in class, that’s kind of cool," she says. "And we’re seeing a child may feel more relaxed about using that then they would a dedicated device."
But not all apps are valued by the community they are trying to serve
— especially those created without input from autistic people
themselves. Both Bascom and David Niemeijer, founder and CEO of
AssistiveWare, are critical of many "behavior apps," or apps that look
to regulate the emotions of autistic people in ways that serve other
people’s comfort more than the person themselves.
“It’s often a lot about controlling someone’s behavior, when we feel
like giving someone access to communication skills helps give them other
ways of expressing themselves,” Niemeijer says of AssistiveWear’s
philosophy.
Nevertheless, apps that do the work responsibly are having a tangible and impressive impact. From
apps that speak for those who can't to apps that make stressful
situations a little less scary, check out these 13 well-known apps
aiding some members of the autistic community — and those with similar
needs.
1. Proloquo4Text
Proloquo4Text
is a text-based communication app created by AssistiveWear that turns
typed words into speech. The app, which is especially useful for
nonverbal individuals, has a single-screen layout, making it easy for
users to customize the main screen to their individual needs.
The app is available in 15 different languages,
featuring word and sentence prediction for fast on-the-spot
communication. Users can also choose their own voice, giving them
autonomy over not only what they say, but how they say it.
Available on iOS for $119.99 ($59.99 through April 4 for Autism Acceptance Day).
2. Assistive Express
A more simplified text-based communication app, Assistive Express
allows users to express their thoughts via text-to-speech technology.
The app features word prediction to speed up response time, and has the
ability to save commonly used phrases for easy accessibility. Assistive
Express is available in English, German, Italian and Spanish.
Available on iOS for $24.99.
3. Proloquo2Go
Proloquo2Go
is an English and Spanish, symbol-supported communication app created
by AssistiveWear for individuals who have difficulty speaking.
With three different vocabulary levels and customizable visual grids,
the app can be customized to best fit the needs of individual users.
Through the use of text-to-speech technology, users can select from more
than 7,000 predetermined words housed on categorized visual grids to
get their message across quickly and simply. Users can also customize
the grid to add words they often use, like the names of family members
or regional locations.
Available on iOS for $249.99 ($124.99 through April 4 for Autism Acceptance Day).
4. Keeble
Image: iTunes
Keeble
is an accessible keyboard created by AssistiveWear that replaces a
standard on-screen keyboard in any app with a more user-friendly
keyboard for those who have fine-motor challenges. With several
customizable keyboards, users can choose the keyboard that is best for
their specific needs. Word prediction and keyboard layouts are available
in English, Spanish, French and Dutch.
Available on iOS for $19.99.
5. Avaz FreeSpeech
Avaz FreeSpeech
allows users to drag and rearrange picture tiles from a visual grid
into sentences. The picture-language app then converts the tiles into
speech. The app also assists users with language skills through a series
of training modules, supporting users who need a little help to create
grammatically correct and complete sentences.
Available on iOS for $9.99.
6. Children With Autism: A Visual Schedule
Image: iTunes
Designed
with the autistic community in mind, this picture-based scheduler
allows users to keep track of scheduled activities. The scheduler helps
users anticipate and plan for changes in their daily routine, helping to
make days predictable. It also has the ability of providing
step-by-step instructions to daily activities to empower users with more
independence.
Available on iOS for $12.99.
7. Choiceworks
Image: iTunes
Choiceworks
helps users manage their daily routines through a scheduler that
categorizes tasks in sequential order, while also indicating which tasks
have been completed and which still have to be done. The app also
supports users through sometimes frustrating and overwhelming
situations. Choiceworks is especially useful in situations when users must wait for something, giving them options to fill in wait time.
Available on iOS for $6.99.
8. Miracle Modus
Image: iTunes
In a world that can often get overwhelming, many of us could use a little help getting back into a calm state. Miracle Modus
looks to solve some of that problem, using lights, sounds and colors is
different patterns and configurations to help users find calm in
emotionally overwhelming situations.
Available for free download on iOS and Android.
9. FlummoxVision
Image: iTunes
Flummox and Friends is a quirky, live-action comedy of a group of scientists working to understand "the most perplexing scientific mystery of all: other people." Through the app, children can watch episodes and interact with the characters via "Discuss Mode" to help support the development of social and emotional skills.
Available for free download on iOS, at $1.99 per episode.
10. Injini: Child Development Game Suite
Image: iTunes
Injini
is a collection of learning games that supports children with
cognitive, language and fine-motor delays. The games, created with
autistic children in mind, help users develop fine motor and language
skills, understand cause and effect, recognize spatial awareness, and
work on memory and visual processing. All the games in the collection
operate on with a "no penalty" model, meaning answers that are incorrect
aren’t penalized in gameplay to help encourage children to try again
when needed.
Available on iOS for $29.99.
11. Pictello
Image: iTunes
Pictello, a creative app created by
AssistiveWear, allows users to create personal photo albums and a
picture book, and each page is enhanced with audio so users can record
themselves. The app is particularly useful when
preparing autistic individuals for unfamiliar or stressful situations,
like doctor’s appointments or visits to unfamiliar places.
Available for iOS for $19.99.
12. Emergency Chat
Image: iTunes
Emergency Chat is an app created for emergency situations in which communication is essential, but speech isn't an option. The main screen has preset splash
text that explains a person cannot use speech, but wants to use the app
to communicate. The following screen has a simple chat function that
allows two people to communicate back and forth.
Creators of the app say it was developed especially for users who are
experiencing an "autistic meltdown, where their speech centers stay
non-functional for a while even after they've recovered."
Available for free download on iOS and Android.
13. Autism Apps
Image: iTunes
This simple app, created by Touch Autism,
is a comprehensive list of apps being used by people on the autism
spectrum. The apps are categorized and reviewed, with extensive
information available on each, making it easy for users to find exactly
what they need.
Available for free download on iOS.
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