Handwriting Apps for OT’s

Posted on May 1, 2011 by Carol Leynse Harpold, MS, OTR/L, SCLV, ATP, CATIS

Some of the first apps I explored with students included apps that support handwriting. It has been a high interest for a while to provided a visual, video model of letter formation for individuals with ASD. Allowing students with Autism among others a method of visually seeing and reviewing the sequence of letter formation would support their learning style in the acquistion of  mechanical writing.

Here are my favorite apps that support letter formation development and that are popular with therapists, teachers and students:

iWrite Words

iWrite Words

Focused on phonetic awareness, letter formation, letter  and word recognition, iWrite Words app has a beautiful interface, is interactive and provide explicit instruction on the sequence of letter formation. Numbers guide the student in the correct motor sequence to form the letter. When the  letter is completely written it generates a floating  letter that isto be flung away at the bottom of the screen before another letter to be worked on is generated. Very interactive!

iWrite Words is a favorite of staff for its instructional qualities, but more importantly a favorite of students.

Alphabet Tracing

Alphabet Tracing is a free app that also supports letter and number formation using a moving train moving in the direction of correct letter or number production.

Early childhood as well as kindergarten students were motivated to create letters using Alphabet Tracing app on an iPad. The visual sequence provided, along with its interactive – hands on practice helped students  recall the appropriate sequence to form a letter. Providing them auditory cues to the sequence further reinforced appropriate skill development.

ABC Pocket Phonics 

Another favorite, ABC Pocket Phonics provides phonics development, letter formation and word games. It is interactive and motivates  students who are learning early literacy skills.

Both ABC PocketPhonics and iWriteWords are available in lite versions  meaning they are free,  partial versions of the software allowing trial to determine if they provide the type of intervention needed.

Do you have any favorite handwriting apps? Please share!

Carol

Posted in App Reviews, Apps for OT's, Apps for Special Needs, AT for Handwriting, Fine Motor Development, Handwriting, iPad, iPod, Letter Formation, Occupational Therapy, Phonics, Special education | Tagged , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Sensory Apps

Posted on April 23, 2011 by Carol Leynse Harpold, MS, OTR/L, SCLV, ATP, CATIS

As an OT working in the school system, dealing with sensory processing challenges requires a constant search for options to help students regulate their sensory systems. Although it seems odd to include techology devices instead of hands on tasks, use of an iDevice for sensory and behavior management can definitely be another another tool in your bag of tricks. iPods used for learning and academic tasks are being used with specific students in our district, so adding a few sensory apps provides a few more tools for staff and students using mobile learning devices. Sensory apps used with students having attentional, behavioral or mental health challenges  help calm, refocus or motivate students.

Here are some favorites:

Pocket Pond– The free version provides a pond of rippling water with fish swimming. When you touch the screen the water splashes and the fish move away just like you were poking at them in a pond. On the free version you can add lily pads and a flying dragonfly to interact with. Highly interactive, it provides nature sounds and the sound of the water splashing.  A purchased grade allows you to fish in the pond. Kids and adults love this app available on iPod and iPad.

5 stars for Pocket Pond!

Relax Melodies– This free app provides dozens of sounds (river, ocean, instruments, wind, thunder, rain, white noise, the list goes on..) that can play individually or simultaneously. In the free version you can save favorite combinations of music, set an alarm and a timer when listening to your selections. This is a great apps for students who need non-lyric based music to help with calming. It is interesting just to play and listen to different sounds in the app. An advertisement is presented in the free version which may be distracting to students. Available on iPod and iPad.

4 Stars for Relax Melodies

Fluidity – Another favorite visual, interactive app that is free. Remember those lava lamps that are no longer allowed in school due to safety reasons. Fluidity looks like the lava lamp of yesteryear in a new venue. Options of changing colors, viscosity, sparkling or momentum are options on the free version. You can use your fingers to move the “fluid” around the screen. More options are available with the purchased version. Popular with adults and kids, this app is available on iPod and iPads.

4 Stars for Fluidity (I would like sound with it!)

Certainly there are many others with similar features and tools that are worth mentioning:

Have fun and share any other sensory apps that have been successful with your students!

Next: Apps for learning letter formation

Carol

Posted in App Reviews, Apps for OT's, Apps for Special Needs, iPad, iPod, Occupational Therapy, Sensory Apps, Sensory Apps for ASD, Special education | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment