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So many apps, so little time

by Ellen

One of many, many innovative programs I have had the pleasure of discovering as I visit our Easter Seals affiliates across the country is SNApps4Kids. This program was started by a father of a child with disabilities and has now become a part of Easter Seals Greater Houston.

Therapists at Easter Seals Greater Houston download, use, then provide a review for all kinds of apps that parents may be interested in accessing for their children with autism and other special needs. At the site, individuals can access a list of apps and see the review notes from the therapists. These notes tell what the app can do and how it might be used. Here’s an example from the SNApps4Kids review of Colorful Aquarium for iPad:

This app takes the iPad and transforms it into a “Colorful Aquarium”. Children will enjoy picking out fish to place in the virtual aquarium. Once in the aquarium children are delighted by watching the fish swim around like real fish. The aquarium is customizable with the ability to change the sand, change the fish, add or delete fish, feed the fish and add plants. This app is a useful way to get kids interested initially in the iPad. Good for use with all ages and fun/relaxing to look at and can be used as a reward activity.

Readers who have used an app reviewed at SNApps4Kids are encouraged to leave comments and rank the app for its help with communication, fine motor, language, cognitive, and social play skills. Reviewers want to know if you had plain old fun with the app, too!

The use of the iPad is growing exponentially in the rehab arena, and SNApps4Kids can save parents and individuals with disabilities the time and expense of downloading multiple apps as they search for the right one. Thanks to Easter Seals Greater Houston, now wading through all these new special needs apps is, well… a SNApp!


 

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  1. Vickie Says:

    November 27th, 2011 at 11:19 am

    I loved reading about this! I work with many kids who have autism and would love to be able to know what I-pad apps are good for them. I already know of a few of them, but a good list would be great!

  2. Dennis Says:

    November 19th, 2011 at 10:57 am

    Think maybe you are thinking of the I-POD?