Sosh App for Individuals with Aspergers

Have you seen the Sosh app? If you work with high functioning individuals with Aspergers you’ll want to check it out!

Developed by Dr. Mark Bowers, the Sosh app is based on the Sosh framework which focuses on 5R’s of social skills development:

Relate (Connect with others)
Regulate (Manage behaviors)
Reason (Think it through)
Relax (Reduce stress)
Recognize (Understand feeling)

The Sosh is not just an app, it is a framework developed by Dr. Bowers over a 10 year period. The five components of the framework are included in the Sosh app with interactive activities that can be customized for a student using a iPad, iPod or iPhone.

As an OT working with adolescents with autism, many of the sensory or self regulation strategies we have used with students with autism are included in the Sosh app. You will recognize a number of sensory supports or strategies you may have used or are working on with your students to develop their self-regulation skills such as a voice meter, deep breathing, music to calm as well as others. Used on a mobile device as an iPod/iPhone or iPad, these tools can be readily available to students anywhere. Of course the activities provide wonderful visual, auditory presentation, well suited to students with Aspergers.

Here are a few videos of some of the R’s of the app that focus on the sensory or self-regulation strategies that OT’s often are involved in with individuals autism:

Block Out Sensory Difficulties

Deep Breathing to Relax

Voice Meter to Regulate Speech

There are many more components to the Sosh app. Check out this link more short Sosh videos .

This is a great app for high functioning students to work on self-regulation, social skills in a manner that fosters independent application of such strategies. This app can also be a great teacher tool to use with other for students who require feedback on behaviors such as voice loudness, calming techniques or reducing perseverative behaviors (check out the shredder tool– it is great!) to name just a few. Sosh costs $39.99 which is relatively expensive as apps go but it provides many tools, strategies and features not covered in this review. Sosh Lite allows you to down load the full app for 7 days to trial.

If you are working with adolescence students and adults who need supports for social skill and self regulation development, I suggest you check this app out! It has a lot to offer!

Carol

About Carol Leynse Harpold, MS, OTR/L, SCLV, ATP, CATIS

OTR/L with more than 35 years experience in pediatrics, school based therapy and adult rehabilitation. Masters of Science in Adaptive Education/Assistive Technology with 20 years experience in AT in education of elementary, middle school, secondary, post secondary students and work environments for adult clients. A RESNA Assistive Technology Practitioner with ACVREP CATIS credentials, AOTA Specialty Certification in Low Vision, USC Davis Executive Certificate in Home Modifications, servicing adults and students with disabilities in employment, education, and home environments. A 2020 graduate of the University of Alabama Birmingham Low Vision Certification Program.

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