Interested in learning about apps mobile device equipment related to school based Occupational Therapy intervention?
Join OT’s with App’s for “Apps and Application for Your School Based OT mTool Kit” August 11th & 12th!
Prior workshop participants received over $60 of free app codes and iPad accessories.
Register by July 15th for a discount!
Hope you can join us! OT’s with Apps – Carol & Erin
Whether protecting your iPad Mini from mishaps of kids or adults, providing heavy duty coverage for your tablet can be a smart investment.
It has been a while since I reviewed iPad cases, much less for the iPad Mini, so here is a quick rundown on what I thought were the main contenders for protection:
OtterBox Defender Series for iPad mini with Retina display – Black
Griffin Technology Survivor for iPad mini
Trident Case KRAKEN AMS Series for Apple iPad mini ($33.53) – Comes with a built in screen protector, inner shock resistant shell, dust covers for speaker and microphone bays. Includes an attachment port to attach other straps or holsters. A stand attachment is also available. My experience with Trident cases for iPads has also been positive with good ratings received for this case from Amazon users. Weighs 7.5 oz.
LifeProof Fre Waterproof Case for iPad mini (79.99) – Another military grade case for the iPad mini.. The LifeProof is waterproof for up to 60 minutes, has a screen protector and is shock proof. Comes in different colors. I have not had experience with LifeProof cases, however if you need one to be waterproof, this is the case for you! Weighs 4.8 oz.
Some of the same makers of sturdy cases for the iPad have comparable protective cases for the iPad Mini. Costs are similar between the cases with exception of LifeProof case which is costs a bit more but is waterproof. If weight is a consideration, the Otterbox LifeProof and Griffin cases are the lightest choices.
What are your experiences and preferences with iPad Mini cases?
More for your OT mTool Kit.
Carol
Summer is finally here and that means more free time for kids. How will they spend their time?
With additional free time available for kids in the summer, the temptation to spend even more “screen time” playing with electronic tablets or devices is possible. Research¹ now shows kids spend approximately 5-7 hours of sedentary time engaging in “screen time” contributing to obesity, limited attention, anxiety, depression and sleep problems. Although structure and providing choices of active things to do are a great way to curtail too much screen time, here is a no cost method of controlling timed usage on the iPhone, iPad or iPod :
The original Apple Clock app provides a timer that can be set to lock your device after the timer goes off. It requires creating a passcode (Settings>Restrictions>Passcode) to lock your device. Here’s how to set the timer and lock the device when the timer is done:
1. Go to your iOS Apple Clock.
2. Go to the Clock Timer tool. Scroll to set the time. Recommended screen time for children over 2 years of age is 1-2 hours/day. Under 2 years of age screen time is not recommended.
3. Click the music symbol (between the Start and Pause button)
4. Scroll down to the bottom of the sound choices for “When Timer Ends” to Stop Playing. Select Stop Playing option and Set.
5. Select Start when you are ready to begin using the timer. When the timer time is done, the device locks (again, must have Restrictions on and a Passcode set) and returns you to the screen to enter a Passcode.
Easy and free. You may need to change your passcode often if the user has good visual memory when using your passcode! A sturdy case may also be a prudent choice, especially if being locked out causes some frustration.
For how to decrease screen time visit the National Institute of Health website for suggested activities.
Reference:
1 Retrieved on June 7, 2014 from: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/patientinstructions/000355.htm
An earlier blog post presented the SelfStarter project called Tiles, a small chip developed to help locate misplaced items using a smartphone app. Considering this as a tool for those with organization challenges (where did I put that??), the Tile offers a few advantages over others I have used as it doesn’t run on a battery which can be yet another obstacle with use of locating tools.
Using the Tile app, and a Tile device you can track where items are located within a 150 ft range. Options for community locate and find are also being developed with the device. Now in production and being shipped, here is a recent update on the Tile which appears easy to use, requires no battery to assist with locating those items that somehow seem to walk away…
With the possibility of a community lost and found feature, the Tile offers possibilities for individuals who are challenged with material management!
Interested in more about the Tile? Check out The Tile App.com for more information and special pricing for early buyers! I am looking forward to my Tiles arriving soon!
More for those that are organizationally impaired or perhaps consider it a cognitive support?
More for your personal or OT mTool Kit!
Carol
Technology Options for Special Needs reviews this free, AllAcess app that supports VoiceOver for access.
Thank you to Technology Options for Special Needs for reviewing this app.
Carol
I often use Siri to locate some restaurants nearby when I visit different locations. However, I was always wondering if there is a better app for VoiceOver users.
The app called All Access offers the information about not only Food & Drink but also different categories such as Health & Services, Auto & Travel, Shopping, Scan codes, and more. So I tried this app using the VoiceOver. It is very easy to navigate. For example, from the Food/Drink button, when you select restaurants’ types (i.e. Asian, American, All Types, etc.) and select your choice of a restaurant, you can access the information from separate buttons such as the restaurant’s Menu, Maps, phone, specials, and hours, all of which can be read aloud. This is helpful for everyone because you sometimes cannot read the Menu easily from their website.
An example of using the Food & Drink selection (AllAccess App)
I also…
View original post 92 more words
Paper Critter Lite app
Looking for some summer tech & visual motor fun for kids?
Paper Critters Lite is the free version (full version is 1.99) of this app which features creating your own digital creature on the iPad, then printing the creation, cutting and assembling it into a 3D creature! This app is based on the online digital creation tool – Paper Critters , an online tool which allows 3D creature creation, printing and assembly. Most appropriate for elementary aged students (8 year olds and older) with ability to create and navigate a variety of tools and features. Certainly parents or therapists can assist with creating or printing out templates or creations from the printer for students to cut out and assemble.
Here some images of the tools and products:
Existing templates for the above pictured creatures are available within the app to print and assemble.
Here is a video with step by step instructions about the apps features:
Some fun paper cutting and assembling fun for the summer (don’t let them know it works on fine motor/visual motor and visual perceptual skills)!
Have fun creating this summer!
Carol
Toca Mini , a relatively new app for iPad and iPhone developed by the folks at Toca Boca is currently free (regularly 2.99). Developed for 6-8 year olds, Toca Mini app provides a tools to design a creature with facial parts (eyes, nose, mouth, etc.), hair and put designs on the clothes given pallets of parts and shapes. Users get a 3-D creature that is animated with entertaining gestures, expressions and simple actions.
Here are a few pictures of what’s included in the app:
As a creation app, the camera allows taking a picture of the creation to share or print.
A fun app for young children and a great way to work on body parts! Free today!
More for your OT mTool Kit.
As Scooped from – ND Assistive Technology – Tetramouse – Another Mouse for your Mouth and Beyond
Don’t you just love having choices? Thanks to the TetraLite Company, we have one more in the mouth joystick arena for people with quadriplegia, MS, or other physical disabilities. The TetraMouse i…
Jeannie Krull from IPAT shares a new mouth control mouse for access for individuals with mobility impairment.
Great choices!
Carol Leynse Harpold, MS AdEd, OTR.L, ATP
OT’s with Apps
Adaptivetr.com
Here is a weekend deal – Sentence Builder for Special Needs Children app – regularly 4.99 Gone Free! This app features tools to create sentences with word tiles given pictures and the ability to customize. Suggested for 4-9 years of age.
Three different levels are provided:
This app provides unlimited user accounts and the ability to track user progress.
More for your teaching or OT mTool Kit!
Carol
As scooped from CALL Scotland Blog
CALL Scotland – Provides specialist expertise in technology for children who have speech, communication and/or writing difficulties, in schools across Scotland.
Paul Nisbet from Call Scotland provides workflow solutions when using Word documents for students on the iPad. Recommended apps with annotation and text to speech are offered by Paul Nisbet.
Check out the post on the Call Scotland Blog.
Carol
See on www.callscotland.org.uk
See on Scoop.it – AT 4 Education
Carol
The OT eTool Kit resource - review of apps and other technologies for OT's working with children and adults.
The OT eTool Kit resource - review of apps and other technologies for OT's working with children and adults.
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The OT eTool Kit resource - review of apps and other technologies for OT's working with children and adults.
The OT eTool Kit resource - review of apps and other technologies for OT's working with children and adults.
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