There are several apps available geared toward people with special needs/ communication issues, as well as those geared towards babies/toddlers/prek that work well for kids with special needs. I have the iPod Touch and iPad, so I’m always on the look out for apps my kids can use.

Apps for Communication & Speech

~ AutoVerbal – an affordable option that empowers kids with Autism or any non-verbal user to communicate using hundreds of pictures as well as text-entry for text-to-speech. The app is Universal (runs on iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch) and Spanish and French versions are available.

~ ArtikPix

~ Dragon Dictation

~ ChoiceBoard Maker

~ Locabulary – communicate words, phrases, and sentences.

~ iConverse – Converse gives users the ability to carry an AAC device in their pocket creating a means of communication that is appropriate, effective and discreet.

~ iPrompts – picture-based prompting app

~ iSpeech – tool for teaching and practicing speech therapy at home.

~ Pocket SLP Articulation – over 2,100 high-quality flashcards targeting both the word and sentence levels- immediate auditory feedback, and are tacitly involved as they push buttons and/or swipe their way through the images.

~ Learn To Talk – uses both sight and sounds to teach toddlers basic vocabulary and early language skills.

~ TapSpeak Button

~ Voice4U – helps individuals to express their feeling, thought, actions and things they need.

~ iAssist Communicator

~ SmallTalk

~ Talk iPhone

~ Talk Assist – anything you type in will be spoken out loud for others to hear. Phrases will be saved to a history, and favorite phrases can be bookmarked for regular use.

~ Locabulary – uses the iPhone to communicate words, phrases, and sentences.

~ SpeakingUp

~ TapSpeak Sequence

~ TapSpeak Choice – complete communication board editor and player.

~ SLP Mobile Articulation Probes – for children with articulation difficulties.

~ Speech With Milo- Verbs

~ Speech With Milo- Prepositions

~ Talk To Me – Text to speech

~ Text2Speech

~ Speak It Text To Speech

~ Sign 4 Me – sign language instruction in 3D

~ Sign Smith ASL Ultimate – the SigningAvatar® characters show you how to sign the ASL Alphabet, count, communicate at work, at school and anywhere! More than 1,200 signs.

~ ASL Dictionary

~ Signing Time ASL Flashcards – 145 professional quality flash cards

~ Signing Time ASL

~ iSpeech Toddler Sign Language – The included signs will assist children with developmental delays or children who are too young to articulate words to communicate with the people around them.

~ In My Dreams – Have fun with reading, matching, and sign language. Uses animation and repetition to promote literacy.

Apps for behavior, schedules, social cues, etc

~ I Earned That

~ iReward – motivation chart for your iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad.

~ iReward Chart

~ TASCU Schedule – simple, picture-based schedule application for iPhone/iPod touch, especially for small children to easily create his/her own daily time-table by using image cards with sounds & voices attached.

~ VolaFriends – facial expressions

~ Eye Contact

~ iTouchiLean Musical Morning Routines

~ Off We Go

~ AutismXpress – (this one is kind of strange & though it says Autism, I don’t see it. I debated listing it, but it’s silly & my daughter likes it, so I included it)

~ First Then Visual Schedule

~ Autism Timer – digital timer that shows the elapsed time clearly

~ iDress for Weather

~ SmartCharts – tool for parents and teachers to track, reward and reinforce positive behaviors, chores and responsibilities for kids.

~ Model Me Going Places – visual teaching tool for helping your child learn to navigate challenging locations in the community.

~ Visules

~ Turn Taker

~ Smile at Me

Apps for early learners (ie- baby, toddler, preschool, kindy level, or that may help with cause/effect or fine motor skills)

~ Toddler Counting – my daughter absolutely LOVES this app! (Video of my daughter using this app)

~ AlphaBaby – Touch the screen to show and hear letters and shapes.

~ StudyFly

~ Animal Memory Match

~ Kindergarten.com – ABA flashcards

~ Stories2Learn

~ DIY Flashcards

~ Flashcards+

~ ABC Phonics Animals – Talking & Spelling Alphabet Flashcards

~ Animal Fun

~ Toddler Teasers Shapes

~ Toddler Teasers Colors

~ Toddler Teasers Numbers

~ Toddler Teasers Letters

~ Preschool Connect the Dots

~ Shape Builder

~ Whizzit123

~ FirstWords Deluxe

~ DrawFree

~ Preschool Animals

~ BabySkool

~ Spell Blocks with Site Words

~ 123 Color HD

~ BabyTap

~ My Silly Farm Sounds

~ Toddler Flashcards

~ Learning Touch– FirstWords and Bob Books

~ Tap Tap Baby – cause and effect

~ Sparkabilities

~ Bubbles – See the bubbles fly off your fingers.

~ Look Baby

~ Ladybird Baby Touch: Peekaboo – A bright, interactive peekaboo game for babies from six months, based on Ladybird’s best-selling Baby Touch books.

~ Singamajigs

~ Sound Shaker – lets children create and play with chime, whistle, drum, barnyard animal and mystery sounds by simply tapping and tilting.

~ Hatch! – tap until a special friend is revealed behind the cracked egg.

~ Baby Rattle Toy – An interactive rattle

~ ABC Magnetic Alphabet HD

~ Alphabet Tracing

~ Pop n’ Learn

~ Preschool Games Farm Animals

~ Fisher Price See ‘n Say

~ LetterTrace

~ ABC’s for Kids

~ Dot To Dot Number Whiz