welcome to their world apps

Sunday, December 23, 2012

Synapse Apps, LLC (Pocket SLP)

Synapse Apps, LLC or otherwise known as Pocket SLP make some amazing apps for speech and language. Today I'm going to talk about a few of their different apps I use in my home with my three children :)



Category Carousel: This app helps build your child's vocabulary in a fun way. Your child will choose a category (or multiple categories) and then sort them into different categories. Your child first touches the picture and then gets to hear the word said aloud before moving them into the correct category. They then can spilt it into sub-categories. There is nine different categories and subcategories in this app. Some of them are: animals, clothing, occupations, winter, and much more. The spoken part of the app is very clear with a real humans voice so your child can easily understand the speaker. I found the app a little confusing at first but once I figured out how to use it it became no problem. First you select a category (or categories) then you pick some items on the next board and drag them to the item at the top where they fit into (you must drag them onto the item not next to it), then you sort them into the subcategories above by dragging them into the correct subcategory. The app is simple to use once you get the hang of it and it is very useful in helping your child learn these skills I would highly highly recommend this app :)
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/category-carousel/id516878389?mt=8



One Step Two Step: This app helps your child learn step directions. There is 23 different scenes and almost 500 different directions included in this app. There is a simple "game" to help with following and giving directions as well. The "Pro" version allows adding names, multiple children at one time, and recording and exporting data. There is two levels of difficulty (caterpillar and butterfly) in each of the scenes included. There is a tutorial included on the main screen of the app in case you need some help with how to use this app. You must work directly with your child while using this app. There questions are asked aloud by pressing on the direction button but you must choose which question # to be asked and also press correct or incorrect for your child. The app is pretty neat as it's kinda like a giant seek and find app with a purpose of learning. My children really seemed to enjoy this. When you enter the scenes you get a page that looks like a coloring page. Your child then must follow the directions such as find the birds on the house and color them blue. Depending on how far you go on the directions you could have almost an entire page colored by the time you are done :). I would highly highly highly recommend this app :)
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/one-step-two-step/id516839317?mt=8



Describe It (SLP): This app helps improve describing skills. This app was designed by a certified speech and language pathologists and was done so in a fun and exciting way for children to learn describing skills. There is two games to help learning: Pass It and Guess It. Pass It is a came like "Catch Phrase" where the users go into two groups to describe the pictured item. The users describe the item while your other teammate guesses. Once your teammate guesses you pass the ipad on to the next team until the timer runs out. Guess It is where they get to touch the clues to guess what's behind the card. There is also a study section where you can learn about the different items such as what it taste likes, feels like, smells like, ect. There is a tutorial also included in this app to help you if you need help with using the app. This is a really fun app especially to use in a group setting. I would highly highly highly recommend this app :)
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/describe-it-slp/id584370609?mt=8






http://pocketslp.com/our-apps/describe-slp/
http://www.facebook.com/pocketslp

Sunday, December 16, 2012

Integrated Listening System (iLs)

The Integrated Listening System or iLs (as it's popularly known) is an amazing system that my 7yr old son has recently started using in O.T. sessions. He has been using this system for the last 4months appx one day a week for an hour at a time. He has made amazing progress in these last 4 months that no one can even imagine. I only can think to thank iLs, his wonderful O.T., and his current teacher for helping him to get where he is now. Since using this system he has gone from being a below average student to an above average student almost overnight. Last year his teachers and doctor thought he had sever ADHD and kept wanting to up and add meds. I stood my ground saying he was not like that at home and that I fully believed it was sensory setting him off in school and outside of home. Since starting this system and using the sensory motor program on iLs he has NO symptoms of ADHD other then impulse control and a few other quirks that goes with his other dx of Autism not just ADHD. OK now onto tell you a little about the system itself. There is many different programs you can buy that might fit your budget a little better then the one my son uses in therapy. The one my son uses is the Total Focus Series which includes the following:
  • iLs Programs loaded onto an Apple iPod
  • Sennheiser headphones custom-fitted with bone conduction capability
  • iLs mini-amplifier with adjustable air and bone conduction volume
  • Frequency filtration from 0-4KHz; dynamically controlled gating
  • Integration Kit and Playbook for visual motor and balance activities
  • Custom rechargeable amplifier for up to 8 hours of continual use
  • Beltpack – adjustable for children and adults
  • iLs Carrying Case
  • Pre‐loaded Programs:
    • Sensory Motor
    • Concentration/Attention
    • Reading/Auditory Processing
    • Optimal Performance for teens/adults
    • Interactive Language Activities
    • Calming/Preparatory mini‐Program

    There is many other programs as well that come with a smaller ipod Nano, less programs, and other adjustments to lower the price and fit home needs or smaller settings better. There is also a pillow option that comes with a music player that fits inside the provided pillow and offers bone conduction as well while your child sleeps. I did get to take home the pillow for a week to try with my son from his O.T. I loved the pillow but I think he would have liked the new pillow inserts much better that fit inside your child's pillow case with their own pillow. Both options of these pillows are really neat. They can help provide a little extra support with sleep problems with the music they play along with the bone conduction included. I did put my own head down on the pillow since I had it at home just to try it out and I thought it was really comforting.
    This is the one I got to take home for a week (not this exact one this is a pic from their website).

    Applications for all ages

    • Reduce anxiety and improve sleep
    • De-sensitize those with auditory sensitivity
    • Headphone-free acclimation to sound; preparing wait-list clients for therapy
    • Supplement to clinic programs or as a stand-alone home program

    The iLs Pillow is sold complete with the following:

    • Ergonomic foam pillow and waterproof cover
    • Music Player - loaded with 3 programs to choose from
    • Two bone conductor transducers imbedded into the pillow
    This is their newest option the pillow insert.

    Applications for all ages

    • Reduce anxiety and improve sleep
    • De-sensitize those with auditory sensitivity
    • Headphone-free acclimation to sound; preparing wait-list clients for therapy
    • Supplement to clinic programs or as a stand-alone home program

    The iLs Pillow is inserted into your own pillow case

    • Foam pillow with washable, waterproof cover
    • Music Player - loaded with 3 programs to choose from
    • Two bone conductor transducers imbedded into the pillow
    • Dimensions: 8”W x 15”L x 1.25”H
    To see the rest of their options of products here's their product website:
    http://shop.integratedlistening.com/products

    Now a lot of you might say "she's crazy!!! These products are outrageous!!!" ect. ect. but I'm telling you I have never seen these results with my child with any other system. Now will if "fix" your child NO! and I can't guaranty it will work with your child but it's a product I've seen the biggest improvement ever with. My youngest son may be starting to use it soon as well in therapy. I'm hoping for similar results but each and every child is different. I would love to own one of these in my home and some day maybe I will be able to. My 7yr olds therapist said that she thinks he would improve even more if we could get more in at home along with the one day a week with her. This was just a product I had to tell you all about. I've seen others like it without the bone conduction in them but I have to say I swear by the bone conduction and their programs that I don't believe I would ever try anything else at this point :). Ok I've rambled on a little bit here lol but I'm just sooo excited about this. If any of you ever have any questions feel free to message me and/or iLs and I know they would be happy to answer any and all questions about this wonderful product :)

    http://www.integratedlistening.com/what-is-ils/
    http://www.facebook.com/#!/IntegratedListening?fref=ts

    This is my son wearing the iLs system at therapy :)

    Saturday, December 15, 2012

    ConversationBuilderTeen

    ConversationBuilderTeen by Mobile Education Store is a wonderful app for teens to learn more about how to have a conversation with their peers. Some children have problems communicating  with their peers in social settings. They may have problems with understanding sarcasm, bullying, ect. This app helps show them how to have an appropriate conversation. They will learn when it's appropriate to introduce themselves, ask questions, change subjects, ect. They will also learn to recognize sarcasm and how to respond. There is eight themes included in this app: school, relationship, sports, entertainment, bullying, sarcasm, clothes, and summer. There is over 300 conversations included and also includes the ability to work in a group setting or a one-on-one setting as well. You can archive and email conversations as needed. There is parental controls as well as a video tutorial included in the app to adjust this app to your needs. The pictures are very realistic and the settings are age appropriate and the spoken part of the app is clear and easy to understand. The app gives you three choices on how to respond to the comment made. Each of the three choices can be read aloud to the user so no reading is required. After the user makes a selection they tell you if it was a good choice and then has the user record their answer. I love how the conversation keeps going after you make one choice. It doesn't go on to a different topic. The first one I found on the app was a girl running. You had to respond to the girls comment. There is a back and forth type of conversation going on. First they make a comment then you and then her, then you, ect..... If you get an answer wrong it will tell you why you should make a different choice and then tell you to try again. I think this app is wonderful for teens on up. You can even use it for your younger child as well with certain adjustments with the settings but there is another conversation app that may suit the younger users more. This app talks about teen issues and their type of settings with bullying, sports, ect. I would highly highly highly recommend both of the ConversationBuilder apps that Mobile Education Store offers depending on your child's needs :)

    https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/conversationbuilderteen/id551522479?mt=8
    http://www.facebook.com/welcometotheirworldapps?ref=hl#!/MobileEducationStore?fref=ts
    http://mobile-educationstore.com/
    http://mobile-educationstore.com/video-tutorials/conversationbuilder-teen-video-tutorial/




    Thursday, December 6, 2012

    Virtual Speech Center Inc.

    Virtual Speech Center Inc. brings you many different types of speech apps to help your your child grow and learn. Each of their speech apps have a different purpose and make learning speech fun and enjoyable for your child. I am going to tell you about their five most recent app additions today. The five apps are: Verbs News, Articulation Games, Farm Academy, Sentence Workout, and WH-Questions Island.



    Verbs News: This app is a wonderful addition to speech apps everywhere. This app includes 190 regular and irregular verbs with real-life pictures. You are welcomed by Andrew a newsroom anchor who has 4 movies to show you about verbs. Your child can at the end of the session play the anchor and record their own news and then watch it in the newsroom. This video can not be saved due to HIPPA rules but is a wonderful addition to the app. My children really loved this little extra :). There is three ways to practice verbs in the app: auditory bombardment, fill-in, and make-up sentences. There is a recording feature in the app so your child can listen to themselves back. You can enter many students in the app which makes it wonderful for classroom use as well as home. You can email the results at the end of the game as well to share to who you need to. There is many options in the app where you can choose the verbs you wish to work on or if you would like to only work on regular or irregular verbs. This app has been a wonderful addition in our home for working on verbs. I would highly highly highly recommend this app for learning verbs :)

    https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/verbs-news/id541964688?mt=8


    Articulation Games: This app brings lots of fun to speech-therapy. The app includes thousands of real-life flashcards. The audio in this app is done very well. There is four different ways to play: flashcards, memory games, sweet spinner, and artic wheel. All these games include many different phonemes. If you look on their itunes link provided below you will be able to see all included in this app. You can enter many students in this app and have the ability to email at the end of the game as well. I really like how you can choose more then one phonemes to work on along with choosing: word, phrases, or sentence and initial, medial, or final. Each of the items has where you can record your child saying the word so they can hear themselves back. This option allows your child to hear what they may have said wrong. It not only has where your child can hear themselves but also a speaker that can say the word to them as well. I love using this app with my boys. It seems to keep them interested since it's in game format and they do not have to be able to read to know what the words are. You do have to be there to score this app since they are to say the words aloud but having someone else say the words is nice since they articulate the words very very well on the app. I would highly highly highly recommend this app for help with artic :)

    https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/articulation-games/id561096403?mt=8


    Farm Academy: This app is for the younger crowd but is still a lot of fun. It targets both receptive and expressive language. Your children will learn 16 farm animals, fruit and veggies, numbers 1-5, and the difference of big and small. There is 8 different activities in two modes of play. Learning mode: learn animals, learn food, learn sizes, and learn counting. Play mode: find animals, feed animals, sizes, and counting. This app is so cute and friendly. It is teaching basic skills in a fun way. My kids loved to look at all the different animals in the app. This app is more cartoonish then some of their other apps but that makes it perfect for toddlers since it will hold their interest longer then real-life pictures would at the age. The voice is done very well in the app. My favorite activity had to be the find animals game. This task is still difficult for my kids since it involves following directions. I would highly highly highly recommend this app for children needing help with these basic skills or toddler to preK :)

    https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/farm-academy/id569921810?mt=8



    Sentence Workout: This app sure appealed to my kids right away. First off it's sports related and then it's soccer! This app helps your child say and build sentences. The first activity is say sentences where your child practices sentence by answering questions orally. Your child can record their sentence so they can hear it back and compare it to the native productions. With "build your sentence" your child practices written sentence by dragging and dropping the words to make a complete sentence. Once they have dragged and dropped they then can play their sentences back so they can make corrections as needed. The app includes over 350 sentences with 37 different sentence structures. You can make changes to the settings as needed to auto-score, disable/enable soccer game, and many more things within the app. My children really love the soccer game reward for working on the app. I found it to be a wonderful reward for them. You do need to remind your child when working with the app not to just say the word when it asks: What is this? and then score correctly based on if they said the sentence vs. the word. You can choose many different types of sentence structures in this app so make sure you check the top to show your child and give them an example first of how they should be saying the sentence. I would like to see an example at the start of each "say it" sessions as I think it would be really helpful for the child to know what they are to be doing first. I would still highly highly highly recommend this fun and enjoyable app :)

    https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/sentence-workout/id575707558?mt=8



    WH-Questions Island: This has to be my most favorite of them all from Virtual Speech Center Inc.. I love any app having to do with WH-Questions and this one is done very well. For starters they did a pirate theme which is a wonderful idea since a lot of children love pirates plus they are really cute even for adults ;). This is set in board game fashion and offers rewards for practicing wh-questions along the way. There is two types of activities: flashcard and board game. The app works on both receptive and expression language. There is 480 different questions within the app: 80 What, 80 When, 80 Where, 80 Why, 80 Who, and 80 How questions. I love the little board game pieces you get to choose from in the app. My daughters fav is the pink and purple girls of course. My boys are undecided which are their favs yet lol. The pictures are very realistic and the voice is once again done very well. I did discover a small glitch in the app I will be reporting them in this app but I'm sure it will be fixed immediately :). This app is amazing and my kids are enjoying it a lot. I would really highly highly highly recommend this app :)

    https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/wh-questions-island/id581786255?mt=8



    http://www.facebook.com/virtualspeechcenter
    http://www.virtualspeechcenter.com







    Saturday, December 1, 2012

    Category TherAppy

    Category TherAppy by Tactus Therapy Solutions Ltd. is a wonderful app for categorizing skills. This app includes four activities and three levels. The four activities are: find, classify, add one, and exclude. The three levels are: concrete categories, subcategories, and abstract categories. There is around 700 images in 70 categories. This app is wonderful for many different ages. One big positive with Tactus Therapy is that they make their apps simple, clear, and with real images throughout. There is no distracting sights or sounds that don't completely go with the direct images at hand. They even have a child-friendly mode that can be used for working with children at home, schools, and therapy. The accent of the person used in the app can be very easily understood. There is a free version of this app to try to make sure this will fit your family/school/therapy. I have loved all their apps as they work wonders on my children. With no distractions they can focus at the task at hand and have learned a lot while using them. Please try out the free versions of each of their apps to see if they will work for you. I highly highly highly recommend :)

    From their website:

    3 Types of Categories:

    • EASY: Concrete Categories (animals, foods, clothing, etc.)

    • MEDIUM: Subcategories (birds, fruit, footwear, etc.)

    • HARD: Abstract Categories (metal things, cold things, flying things, etc.)

    • YOU control which categories to target within each level!

    • FIND:

      • Touch the item that belongs to the target category

      • Nearly 700 full-color images – no drawings or animations

      • Each word can be heard by touching the printed word or speaker

      • Single touch is the only gesture required, perfect for those with limited motor skills

      • Results are Automatic:

        • Scoring is automated in the app with on-screen tracking of success and progress

        • E-mail results in report-ready format

        • Set a default e-mail address so clients can send results directly to the SLP during home practice

        •  


    http://www.facebook.com/tactustherapy?fref=ts
    http://www.tactustherapy.com/
    https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/category-therappy/id571551926?mt=8&ign-mpt=uo%3D4





    Thursday, November 22, 2012

    Autism Language Learning

    Autism Language Learning by TalkTime Pediatric Speech Academy is a wonderful app to show children/adults with Autism and other delays proper us of verbs/pronouns in video form. This app includes a play/record button so you can practice the sentences with your child along with the video. You have choices of verb + ing, singular pronouns + is + ing, plural pronouns + are + ing and mixed pronouns + is/are + ing. I really like how simple the app is. There is no distractions when working with a video in the app and the buttons are easily controlled at the bottom. You can have the modules on the side while the video is playing or you can hide the modules and have a full screen option. There is now an option for in-app purchase of custom modules that I have not tried out but seems like it could be p pretty neat feature for this app. I have used this app over at my child's school with the speech teacher a bit and they really liked the simplicity of the app and that there was little to no distractions within the app while working with the children. They used it by playing the video and then going back and muting the next one and having the child say the correct sentence on record. Over all I would recommend this app to SLP's and parents with children who need help in these areas and need little to no distractions within an app :)

    http://www.facebook.com/welcometotheirworldapps?ref=hl#!/AutismLanguageLearning?fref=ts
    http://autismlanguagelearning.net
    http://talktimespeech.net
    https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/autism-language-learning/id502988833?mt=8
    https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/autism-language-learning-lite/id541450047?mt=8


    Monday, November 12, 2012

    Visual Attention TherAppy

    Visual Attention TherAppy by Tactus Therapy Solutions Ltd. is a wonderful app for visual attention. I have used this app with my older two children and it is very helpful. This app can help improve reading, scanning, concentration, memory, attention to detail, and speed processing. There is two different modes in the app: test and practice. With the test mode you check to see if there is a problem with a persons scanning or attention. Next is practice where you move left to right and finding 1 or 2 targets. My son's O.T. is currently doing a lot of visual therapy with him. This app has been helpful to continue working on these skills when he's at home. There is 12 settings of spacing/sizing in the app so you customize it to fit the users needs. I have found the app to be clean and simple to use. I like that there is not a lot of background stuff to side track my children while working with the app. There is so many options to chose the level that you need for who is using the app. There is even a lite version of this app if you would like to try it out first. I would highly highly highly recommend this app if you know someone that needs to work on visual attention :)

    http://www.facebook.com/tactustherapy?fref=ts
    http://www.tactustherapy.com
    https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/visual-attention-therappy/id539203206?mt=8&ign-mpt=uo%3D4




    Monday, October 29, 2012

    WH Questions Cards- Pro

    WH Questions Cards- Pro by Super Duper Publications is a wonderful WH app. I was immediately amazed by this app when I first tried it out with myself. Options, options, options that was my first thought when working with it. With the pro version you will receive all the WH questions such as who, what, when, where, and why. There is different games and activities also for each of these. If you have ever explored the different items Super Duper has to offer you would have seen their Super Duper Secret Decoder, their cards, and more these are all included in this app. The different games/activities are: Super Duper Secret Decoder, Multiple choice, Matching, and Drag 'n Match. Each of these different games/activities are explained on itunes in their description very well. There is 280 picture cards total. You can manually or automatically track scores with this app. There has already been many updates and fixes to this app to make it even better then when it first came out so you have less fear of this app having problems then ever. I love the road Super Duper is taking with these newer set of apps. The option of in-app or pro versions are great if you only need part of the app or the full version for your family or school. As I said before the options are amazing and the graphics are great throughout the app. This app is a lot of fun and my children have loved using it. With the different activities they can change it up or use a different one if one has gotten to easy for them. There is defiantly enough room for this app to grow with your child as time goes on. I would highly highly highly recommend this app :)    (free version also available with in-app purchases)

    http://www.superduperinc.com/?lid=0PD5NTGK
    http://www.facebook.com/welcometotheirworldapps?ref=hl#!/SuperDuperPublications
    http://www.superduperinc.com/apps/apple.aspx
     http://sdpubs.com/ro8gu


    Sunday, October 21, 2012

    DC Super Friends: Haunted Heroes

    DC Super Friends: Haunted Heroes by ScrollMotion with partnership with Night & Day Studios:
    This book app is out just in time for the Halloween season. Come follow your favorite super heroes on a haunted journey. This book app offers word highlighting, read along, record your own voice, and auto play. You can personalize the app with the camera to be able to take a pic with your DC friends. While playing with the app you can earn super friends points to receive cool rewards. The pages are interactive and fun. There is also coloring, puzzles, stickers, and sounds in the app. I have not updated my ipad yet to the newest IOS so I'm not sure if this is happening to everyone but when you try to add the picture at the beginning of the story it has been kicking me out of the app. Once again this could just be because I haven't updated yet. Everything else seems to be working great and this is an excellent story for your super hero loving children. My 7yr old son just loves super heroes and he has played this app over and over again since we got it. Please make sure to check this app out along with other ScrollMotion and Night & Day Studio apps :) Highly highly highly recommended :)

    https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/dc-super-friends-haunted-heroes/id567140674?mt=8
    http://www.facebook.com/welcometotheirworldapps?ref=hl#!/pages/ScrollMotion/187941497596?fref=ts
    http://www.scrollmotion.com
    http://www.facebook.com/welcometotheirworldapps?ref=hl#!/nightanddaystudios?fref=ts
    http://www.nightanddaystudios.com


    Sunday, October 7, 2012

    Calming Effects weighted lap pads

    Calming Effects weighted lap pads: Some of you may have heard of them and other may not have. These weighted lap pads are made by our own Tammy Hadley :). Calming Effects has reopened for the holiday season for a few of these wonderful treasures. Each of these weighted lap pads are homemade with lots of love and care. These lap pads are not like some other that use polly pellets inside for the weight. She uses a much better product that feels heavier then the polly pellets by far!. I have three blankets and three lap pads from Calming Effects myself and love them. I have had to wash my youngest blanket many times and it has held up to all the wear and tear a washing machine can bring. One must remember with any homemade product they probably aren't meant to be washed continuously but his blanket had no choice and had to go in but it's survived. The lap pads work wonders while the kids are watching tv, doing homework, or even bed time. My children have had other weighted blankets in the past made of the polly pellets I mentioned above and they hated them. They thought they were just like a normal blanket, couldn't feel the weight on themselves, and it was just really big and bulky because of all the stuffing that had to be placed inside and with the Calming Effects ones it was just the opposite. I had never owned a lap pad before this but they are similar to a blanket only smaller. If you want a strong, sturdy, made with love lap pad just in time for the Holiday season then I suggest you check out Calming Effects. The women who runs it is a wonderful lady and will help give you what you need for a low price but wonderful lap pad fast :).

    http://www.facebook.com/#!/CalmingEffects?fref=ts

     Lap Pads:


     Blankets (Example's only of past product currently only taking orders on lap pads)
    These are my boys blankets :)


    Thursday, October 4, 2012

    Dr. Panda’s Restaurant


     

     
    Dr. Panda’s Restaurant by. Tribe Play
    Here is another cooking game for the preschooler or is it? It is not just a cooking game. In this game your child will get to Prepare and serve the food, which is assumed by the title. They will also get to do quite a bit more. They will be able to feed the customers , clean the tables decorate the dining area, wash the dishes and my personal favorite recycle the garbage. It is an interactive game where your child will get to run their own restaurant. Now the customers are not your average customers they are animals.. large animals.  There are eight animals to feed and 10 recipes to make so your child will not get bored. The recipes will allow your child the opportunity to safely participate in activities such as slicing, toasting, baking and mixing. While playing the app they will also be practicing fine motor skills. The will also get to plan the sequence of events. I think this app is perfect for early child hood learning. It also will help prepare them a little for chores around your house hold. There is no reading involved so your child will be able to enjoy this app on his or her own. My son is 4 years old and is enjoying running his own restaurant.  The animations and sounds are fun and seem to work wonderfully even on our I pad first generation. Not sure Dr. Pandas is for your child there is free versions of each of their games as well. 

    Tuesday, September 25, 2012

    Crazy Hair Studio


     

    Crazy Hair Studio by Portegno Apps is a fun let your hair down (no pun intended) kind of app. You can use it on any of your devises wither or not you have a camera. You can either take a photo on the spot or upload from your library.  When you first open up the app the screen will have several buttons. Take a picture, choose photo, unlock more features (coming soon), how to use and hairstyle editor. Decide if you will use a photo from your library or take a picture. Once you choose a picture it will give you the option to resize or move your photo. Do not worry if you cannot get your picture to line up just right. You can fix that later. Next is choosing a hairstyle. Again it will give you options with pictures so the nonreaders will understand. Your choices here will be male, female, web gallery or famous. Pick a hairstyle and you are ready to go. Next it places the style you chose onto the picture you chose. Remember how I told you if it does not match don’t worry. You get to adjust the hair to your picture. Simply touch the screen and scale your hair to match your picture.  This is great for fine motor skills. Now you are ready to style that beautiful hair of yours. You can brush, cut, color, curl, buzz, or grow your hair out. Just in case you are sitting there thinking this all sounds complicated they have made it simple for you by adding little pop up boxes. What these boxes do is offer simple instructions on how to use each feature of the app. Hours of fun just waiting to be had. You can save your new hairstyle to your library or post it to Facebook. I have already tortured one of my siblings with a new style. I have also recommended the app to a friend who instantly gave her cat a new doo. Something I would never have thought of doing. For the parents out there with a child like mine who due to sensory issue do not like to get haircuts this app is great for getting them used to the things that will happen in a salon setting. I look forward to many hair colors and styles in my immediate future.

    My son before his make over.


    My son after his makeover.

    Monday, September 24, 2012

    Super Duper Non Apps :)

    Super Duper Publications offer many apps that I have reviewed previously but what some from the app community might not realize is that they sell many more different things for the special needs community. I have purchased many items from them and have shared over a few different things on my facebook page in the past. Today I'm going to talk about a few of those items :)

    Webber® Interactive "WH" Questions CD-ROM
    This computer game focuses on "WH" questions. I find that sometimes I like the computer better then the iPad for some things because all my kids can use it at once or they can get some individual time working with a mouse and keyboard. I found the pictures to be bright, fun, and inviting with this game. This is also wonderful for teachers as it is smart board compatible. My children use the smart board at school in each of their classrooms everyday. This one is for ages Pre-K and up. All my children have used this and are doing very well with it. :)
    http://www.superduperinc.com/products/view.aspx?pid=WHCD11

    Webber® Pronouns CD-ROM
    This is another computer game from Super Duper. This one focuses on pronouns and is for ages Pre-K to 5th grade. I love this one for my 7yr old son and have also started using it on my 5yr old as well. Both my boys have a really hard time with pronoun usage and this cd-rom is really helping them out with it. I love it because I can make it somewhat competitive by having it on the computer by who can answer it fastest and correctly lol. They really seem to take to the computer version and are working very hard with it. Here's what's included straight from Super Dupers web page:
    Fun Decks include:
    http://www.superduperinc.com/products/view.aspx?pid=FDCD200

    Webber® Basic Story Comprehension
    Ok by now you can tell I'm really loving their computer version games. They really do make learning fun and enjoyable with their computer games. This one is for basic story comprehension for grade K-6th. I am using this one only with my daughter so far as my 7yr old is still learning the basics of words themselves. My daughter is needing a lot of extra help with reading and comprehending. This cd-rom is a wonderful addition to our collection to give her an extra helping hand. The computer is a special treat for my kids even over the iPad so it makes them work even harder. This app helps with: summarizing the main idea, predicting what will happen next, recalling key details, and choosing an appropriate title for a story. The cd-rom comes with 4 fun decks :
    http://www.superduperinc.com/products/view.aspx?pid=FDCD225

    HearBuilder
    This series is called the HearBuilder Series and is awesome!. There is a professional version for schools and therapy and a home version. The home version covers most families easily. I have the home version of these. There is four different ones to build the series. The four are: Following directions,  Phonological Awareness, Auditory Memory, and Sequencing. I have been able to use this series to help my children a lot! I use these constantly and have found them to be very top notch when it comes to working on these skills.
    http://www.superduperinc.com/products/view.aspx?pid=HBHE122
    http://www.superduperinc.com/products/view.aspx?pid=HBHE244
    http://www.superduperinc.com/products/view.aspx?pid=HBHE366
    http://www.superduperinc.com/products/view.aspx?pid=HBHE488

    "I Have Autism"
    Must have for any family with a child with Autism or for all classrooms. This set comes with one main book with reproducible sheets that you can personalize and then also 5 additional books. It also comes with a cd-rom which allows you to reproduce the resource guide as well. These books help you talk to children about Autism including your own child with Autism. One thing I hear from parents often is: How do I tell my child about Autism?, How do I explain Autism to my child's friend?, ect. This book will help with that. Love love love this :)
    http://www.superduperinc.com/products/view.aspx?pid=BK329

    Fun Decks
    I have numerous Fun Decks. I'm not going to sit here talking about each one as I've already throwing a lot of info at you in one night but I can't stop recommending these. I have ones from sensory diet, fine motor, oral motor, large motor, WH, pronouns, ect. These are wonderful for home, school, on the go, ect. Some of the fine motor ones even come with a marker and wipe-off cards to work on the skills. You can build a sensory diet with the sensory diet cards or find large motor activities to get your children moving. Find cards that your child may need :)

    I have many many more things from Super Duper Publications. I can't recommend them enough for apps, games, ect. Please stop by and check them out!!!!
    http://www.superduperinc.com/default.aspx



    Thursday, September 20, 2012

    Fun and Function




    Fun and Function has many wonderful items to help your special needs child. I have purchased many different items from them and have loved each and everyone of them. Please remember not all products that work for my children may not work for yours. Their prices are great and the quality is even better. I have had to speak to their customer service and was wonderfully surprised at how nice and courteous they were. There facebook page is also very helpful and they try to answer any and all questions promptly. They have a program also available on their site that you can refer three friends to fun and function and you will receive a one time percentage off your order. They also have many sales throughout the year that makes all their wonderful products even more reasonable. They come out regularly with new items and the new items to come in 2013 look amazing. I am patiently waiting for them to be released. Right now I will tell you about some of the items I have purchased. I have either purchased these items or won them on my own. I will tell you exactly what I think of each item including the good, the bad, and the ugly :)

    ***Please remember if you have an O.T. always talk to them before using any of these products to make sure they will work for your child and are safe for your child***

    http://funandfunction.com/
    http://www.facebook.com/FunandFunctionFans

    First up is their faux fur weighted vest. This vest is amazing. I can not say more. The quality is wonderful and the fit is fantastic. Please do remember when purchasing these items to measure your child as they are meant to fit your child. I have two of these vest for each of my boys and they love the texture and that they zip up. They don't make them look out of place when wearing them and they look like everyday clothing wear. The zipper is well done and has not caught or snagged once yet. This vest comes with two shoulder weights as well which is another wonderful part of this vest that separates it from your typical weighted vest. All weights are easily removed when needed including the shoulder weights which just Velcro on. I really have found nothing wrong with this vest and believe the price, quality, and design are fantastic! HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY recommended :)
    http://funandfunction.com/navy-faux-fur-weighted-vest-with-shoulder-weights-p-1551.html

    Next up is the PINK! weighted vest. This vest is the one I use on my daughter. It is a cheap simple design that works. I have not had any problems with this vest it's just not as fancy as the other. It comes with the fun and function logo on the front of the vest and Velcros up instead of a zipper. There is weights included but does not have shoulder weights. The cloth is simple but strong, sturdy, and lightweight. This vest works very well in the summer or for a child that over heats easily. My daughter of course loves the color. You can purchase additional weights as needed for your child. For the price of this vest you can't beat it. I have not seen a lower price weighted vest around and the quality is well above it's asking price. The stitching and Velcro seem to be holding well. The fabric is lightweight and comfortable. I would highly highly highly recommend this vest :)
    http://funandfunction.com/weighted-vest-pink-20-off-p-1808.html

    The pressure mesh vest is up next. This vest is not weighted but uses pressure instead. First off I want to say my child really does seem to like the vest. He's a little unsure of the Velcro in the back but was adjusting to it ok after a while. This vest is very very lightweight and is absolutely perfect for summer time fun. Ok first time you hear the bad/ugly. The very first day of my son wearing this vest the stitching did tear right by the Velcro :(. I fixed it and hope it will not tear again. This really doesn't surprise me that this happened as it seems to happen on a lot of items made with mesh material and include Velcro. This is NOT just a problem with Fun and Function items I've had it happen with many many items made that include strong Velcro on lightweight mesh material. My only suggestion to them is maybe beef up the material where the Velcro is so the mesh doesn't tear next to it when opening the Velcro up. This item Velcro's behind your child to bring a tight hug constantly to your child while wearing the vest. Unlike weight you can leave the vest on for more then 20min at a time which means this vest is perfect for outside time or an area where your child may need constant nonstop pressure. I would even with the little mishap highly highly recommend this vest :)
    http://funandfunction.com/pressure-mesh-vest™-p-2362.html


    Next up is original Sens-ational tees. My children have two different kinds of these shirts. They have the long sleeve and a short sleeve like shown above. My boys love these shirts. The material is silky like and stretchy. These shirts are meant to fit tightly so don't over buy the size but also don't under buy the size. I personally do think they are still a little short at the bottom even though they are said to be longer but I also think my boys have a longer trunk then they have legs lol. These shirts bring a calming pressure throughout their day and the material is great for my children's sensory needs. They come in many different sizes, designs, and even tightness. You must pick what you think your child will enjoy. They do have plain colors as well with no designs on them. The prices are great as many of them are currently on sale as I'm typing. I would highly highly highly recommend trying one of these and seeing if they would be helpful to your child :)
    http://funandfunction.com/original-sensational-hug-tee-short-sleeves-rocket-graphic-p-1421.html
    http://funandfunction.com/original-sensational-hug-tee-long-sleeves-dino-graphic-p-1231.html

    Next is the chewy wristband. This comes as a set of two wristbands. These wristbands are completely machine washable. Adult supervision is recommended as with anything your child maybe chewing on. These bands help your sensory child with the chewing on items especially clothing. My children are chewers and my youngest is one of the worst. By putting these on his wrists it helps curb his chewing need of other things such as his shirt. These wristbands don't make your child stand out like some other chewy items and they are not hard but like a stretchy clothing like material. My kids did not like the chewy tubes or P's and Q's as they were hard and not cloth like. They really needed something that could be washed and would be soft like their clothes. This is perfect for all those needs. It has seemed to hold up to my children. When I notice them chewing I will put these on or give them one of their bands which I will talk about next :). Highly highly highly recommended :)
    http://funandfunction.com/chewy-wristbandset-of-2-p-1654.html

    Next up bite bands. These things are a major clothing saver. They are made of a terry cloth material and are very absorbent. These bands are completely washable and hold up to all the biting. My children find these to be their absolute favourite chewy. They are very long and can be worn like a necklace. I would defiantly recommend supervising your child with these as they do not just detach if caught on something or grabbed by another child. I only let my children use these at home and in my sight. I love them as they are so strong and my kids don't even think of chewing on anything else when they have these on but I do wish they would find a way to attach a quick release snap at the back just in case. These bands are extremely reasonably priced for what you get. You receive 6 bite bands of different colors and all are washable so you don't have to worry about not having one around. With my kids they each get two colors and they are washed frequently but I try to always have one ready for them as needed. I would highly highly highly recommend these bands if you have a chewer in the home :)
    http://funandfunction.com/bite-bands-p-2231.html

    Last up for today is stainless steel straws. I purchased the 6inch straw for my 7yr old son. Before these straws my son would bite right threw every straw I would give him. These straws wash up very well. I do wish that they came with a cleaner but you can purchase cleaners very cheaply. These straws help with that oral motor needs of your child and help curb the need to chew on the straw. If your child chews on these straws they will not break. They can be washed in your dishwasher. I would highly highly highly recommend these straws :)









    Friday, September 7, 2012

    Sanoen apps

    Sanoen makes two different children's book apps. There stories are wonderful and also include learning right within the stories. I will be telling you about their two different stories now.

    To the farm! is a wonderful story that comes in text and audio for 6 different languages! The story helps build many different skills all within the story itself. This story is wonderful for ages 0-4+. The different reading modes are: BITS mode which is for ages 0-3. This mode is auto play. It will play the story for the child and the images and text change every 1.5sec. It is used to stimulate the brain. The next level is reading words mode where your child can touch any word and it will be read aloud to them. The next is easy spelling mode for ages appx 3-4. The next is spelling mode for 4+ which is just a little harder then the mode before. The last one is sentence reading mode where your child learns with the illustrations and sequence. This app has so much to do within it. The illustrations are wonderfully done and the story and music are great. All my children love using this app with their own levels. My children liked the app so of course so did I. Some think that the story should be more animated with more moving items such as the farm animals and that. There is a lot to learn in the app and I think for this one that's the important part. The extra languages is also helpful for those learning a new language. I really like that there is 6 different ones included for this reason. I really think high school students can use apps that have multiple languages to help them build on their language skills that they might be learning in school such as Spanish, french, or any other. I would highly highly recommend this app :)

    Sarah little fairy and grandma: This app is about little Sarah and her family. Her grandma Mary has Alzheimer's disease. They are going to visit her but Sarah really doesn't understand what Alzheimer's is. Fairy Mina to the rescue to show Sarah about Alzheimer's and teach her what she needs to know to help and understand her grandma better. This app helps a child understand Alzheimer's better. I personally don't know anyone with Alzheimer's but I did like sharing this story with my children. It shows them that people are different and teaches them that others can adjust and learn about what differences some may have. I feel this is important lesson for my children since they have autism and other disorders themselves. I want them to know that others can learn to accept them and be there friend. This story may not have been meant for this but I was able to use it to fit to my family. It also taught them about something they didn't know about. Books are a wonderful teaching tool for children and I have found when put on an iPad it becomes almost magical for them. I really hope to see more stories like this about different things to help children understand things they may have a hard time understanding :). I would highly highly recommend this :)

    http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/to-the-farm!/id514531868?mt=8
    http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/sarah-little-fairy-grandma/id483111028?mt=8
    http://sanoen.com/
    http://www.facebook.com/Sanoen