April 28th was the annual Down Syndrome Symposium, “Beyond Our Wildest Dreams – Getting Connected,” presented by the Aim High Resource Center and the Center for Disability Services. What a wonderful day, filled with a keynote talk by Michael Robert Cardella. Michael was born in 1978 with Down syndrome. Today he speaks at various venues to talk about his ability, not his disability.
As the featured speaker for the symposium, I wanted to share my knowledge about the iPad and how it can assist students with special needs. I presented my favorite apps and demonstrated how they could assist students with their IEP goals. The rest of the day was filled with breakout sessions, which included more information on the iPad, Assistive Technology Freeware, and AAC devices. Over 100 parents, therapists and teachers attended. Below are the apps presented at the event.
Starfall ABC $2.99 - ABC learning, phonic app
Pocketphonics lite Free- paid version $2.99- Letter writing, Phonics
Teach me $.99 - Toddler, K, First Grade, Second Grade- Early math skills, spelling, and writing
My Name $3.99 - Learn to write your own name, alphabet and basic word cards
Fun with Directions $.99 - Full version $9.99- auditory, visual following directions
Proloquo2Go $189.00 - AAC app
Memory Tricks- Fun way to increase memory skills
SuperWhy $3.99 - Four games is one- rhyming, letter, answering sentences, writing skills and letter hunt
*DoodleCast for Kids $1.99 - Creative app that records your voice, draw pictures
Making Sequences $4.99 - Built in sequences from alphabet to going to school. Place pictures in sequential order and listen to the story.
Montessori Crosswords $2.99 - Three levels to teach spelling
Storyrobe $.99 - A creative way to present stories- social stories, visual schedule. Add your pictures and voice.
Jungle Coins $2.99 - Five levels of learning coins
Preposition Remix Prepositions: in front, behind, etc
Reading Pal $.99 - Make your own spelling tests
Word Bingo $.99 - Dolch sight words- Pre Primer-Third grade
Pattern Recognition $.99 - Kindergarten level and first grade level- learning about patterns using, colors, animals, and shapes
Word Wizard $2.99 - Spelling quizzes and moveable alphabet
Interactive Telling time $2.99 - Set time, what’s the time, quizzes and more
Splashmath Grades 1-5 complete math program
Questionit $9.99 - Practice "wh" questions from sorting, sentences and paragraphs
*Talk’n Photo $2.99 - Take photos, add your own words- great for anyone who is non-verbal or has word retrieval difficulties.
*Great inexpensive creative apps!
Vicki Windman is a special education teacher at Clarkstown High School South.
