iPads have been a technological revolution for us all, but they can also be a revelation for children with SEN. There are over 20,000 educational apps on the App Store, and an entire Special Ed section, but what are the best apps for children with SEN?
Proloquo2Go AAC
This is a paid app. Proloquo2Go is an easy to use app for people who struggle to or can't communicate verbally. Children can tap images, type words and then use the app to speak on their behalf. It is totally customisable and can be used to build language skills and grow with a person's communication, meaning it can support both beginner and more advanced communicators. Proloquo2Go provides natural sounding Text to Speech voices, a high resolution library of over 14,000 symbols, powerful automatic conjugations, two researched-based vocabulary organizations, advanced word prediction, multiuser support, and the ability to fully customize vocabularies for users along a broad continuum of abilities, from beginning symbolic communication to full literacy.
iCan
This is a free app. iCan is an app designed for children with a wide variety of SEN, including conditions such as Autism, Fragile X Syndrome, ADHD, Developmental Delay etc., and provides educational videos, learning games and books. The educational activities were specially designed to help children with social skills, understanding themselves & their world, practice daily routines and also incorporates academic activities suitable for a variety of ability levels. Made by experts in development, iCan is 100% ad-free and child friendly and offers an engaging way for children to access all sorts of activities to help build on a wide variety of skills.
Dexteria
This is a paid app. Dexteria turns your iPhone or iPad into a therapeutic tool that improves fine motor skill and dexterity. Used by Occupational Therapists in various settings, the multi-touch screen allows students to build strength, control and dexterity. The automatic tracking and reporting feature makes it easy for parents, teachers and occupational therapists to identify time on task and progress.
Zones of Regulation: Understanding Emotions
No doubt you will have used Zones of Regulation in the classroom to help children understand their emotions and how they feel throughout the day - now there's an app! The Understanding Emotions app is designed to foster regulation skills in fun and exciting ways while simulating everyday situations. This app will help students gain skills in consciously regulating their feelings within social environments. The incorporation of mini games provides real-time opportunities for students to reflect on the outcome of the games and how this triggers emotions. Data tracking allows students to apply what they are learning in the app to their own life by self-monitoring and reflecting on their feelings (Zones) and how they were managed during events that occurred over the course of their day.
Montessori Numbers
Montessori Numbers is designed to help build sound mathematical foundations in children aged 3-7 by using a concrete, visually significant material inspired from the Montessori methodology.
Montessori Numbers offers a sequence of guided activities that gradually help children reinforce their skills. Each activity offers several levels of increasing complexity. This app is great for children with dyscalculia or for children with learning needs who need additional support with mathematics.
