Leveling the playing field with apps

"Visual Routine is a simple, easy to program visual schedule that helps your autistic or special needs child keep a routine. Routines can be tailored to their needs with audio feedback, and customizable pictures, audio, and text. Up to 4 choices can be embedded within each routine item, enabling someone to pick between options."

"As a special needs parent I wanted to get right to the "good stuff" and figured you did too. Check out our guide that breaks down the best of the apps by skill set so you can easily find and buy apps that most benefit your child. Great for kids with autism, ADHD, apraxia, learning disability, sensory issues and more. Included are apps for iPad, iPhone, iPod touch and some Android apps."

Thank you Dawn for creating this site with a focus on skill sets!

Luis Perez has gathered a set of video case studies where the iPad and a set of apps removed the barriers to learning and engaged special needs students in activities that otherwise may have been impossible.  Each example exhibits how the teacher understood the learner and how they learned best to include them in these activities.

The first example is from Adam Goldberg where his students have great difficulty communicating, moving, reading, or concentrating. Some of his students are on the Autism Spectrum and some have Multiple Disabilities. This hasn't stopped Adam from teaching advanced concepts in his music class; concepts like polyrhythms, dynamics, and ensemble playing. 

"Adam's approach helps the students use the gifts they do have rather than battle the barriers thrown up by their constraints. By using a portable touchscreen technology Adam was able to customize each musical interaction for each student's abilities. The result? A real immersion in the musical experience has become accessible to children formerly left on the artistic sidelines."