Have a need for a countdown app? Do you have a child or a student who would benefit from count down by days to a big event?

When I saw this app I thought about students who need a visual reminder of the number of days to an event to help with anticipating a big trip, start of school, vacation or end of school ( I know school system people would never want to use this as a countdown to end of school!). Although a low tech calendar with days crossed off can do the same thing, the automation of an app might help teachers or parents provide children or students with an immediate countdown number to help them anticipate that big event.

CountDown Pro – for iPhone/iPad comes as a lite version and Pro version (regularly $.99) with Pro free today. Provides countdown to an event and also provides calculation of number of days by entering a beginning and ending date (does not calculate years just days). Events can be categorized under All, Work, Life. You can set reoccurring events by month or year to be alerted of birthdays, anniversaries similar to electronic calendar options. Here are a few pics of the app:

I was surprised to find a gazillion countdown apps for specific purposes (pregnancy, weddings, etc.). This app was very easy to use. A quick search on countdown apps found most were $.99 to 1.99 in cost for a full version, making this app a bargain.

Although I have not trialed this app with a student, I could image it being helpful to individuals with  temporal concept challenges who have a difficult time with anticipating big events. Countdown strategies such as visual times for short-term concepts, verbally counting down to end a therapy session, counting down to get started are invaluable tools therapists, teachers and parents use with our clients ( children or adults – how many of you count with an adult client for sit to stand – it gets everyone on board and sync’d). For those clients who love to use electronic devices this might be one more tool for your iTool Kit that can come in handy.

For Android – I found many “countdown” apps for Android, many free. Here is one to consider:

Days Left – free for Android. Countdown app by days that can be customized by event.

I should be using either of these – I am terrible at anniversaries and birth dates! And might I use this for end of school year countdown, days to vacation? Hmm… admit it – we all like countdowns to big events we look forward to!

More for your OT iTool Kit!

Carol