Topic 3: Apps for Autism

(Source: "iPhone Apps" by Daniel Go, used under CC BY-NC 2.0)

There is an abundance of apps to assist people with autism, ranging from utility apps (such as apps that allow users to communicate, organize their schedule, etc.) to games that help build necessary socialization skills. Libraries can provide information to people with autism and their caregivers, and the apps can be installed on library-owned devices either for loaning or use in the library. Some popular lists of such apps include:

• https://www.autismspeaks.org/autism-apps: This is a searchable database of apps that are recommended by the Autism Speaks Organization.

• https://www.commonsense.org/education/top-picks/best-apps-for-kids-with-autism: The apps on this list "help kids learn to better identify and regulate emotions, communicate and express themselves, manage time and routines, and interact with others." (Commonsense.org).

• http://www.autismpluggedin.com/category/free-apps: Autism Plugged In is an autism app review site.

A few print resources that can assist librarians and caregivers in selecting appropriate learning tools for people with autism include:

• Playing smarter in a digital world: a guide to choosing and using popular video games and apps to improve executive functioning in children and teens, based on the LearningWorks for Kids model by Randy Kulman

• Apps for autism: an essential guide to over 200 effective apps for improving communication, behavior, social skills and more! by Lois Jean Brady

• A Review of Serious Games for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD): a paper by Zakari et. al, which reviews 40 serious games designed for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). The games/studies are classified into four categories; technology platform, computer graphics, gaming aspect and user interaction.)

• Serious games to teach social interactions and emotions to individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) by C. Grossard et. al (2017), which reviews 31 serious games targeting social abilities for ASD.

• The App Pedagogy Wheel, developed by Mark Coppin, is very useful for determining which app should be used depending on the specifica learning outcome.

There are many free apps, and for those that are not free, many provide free trial periods. Librarians are encouraged to take advantage of these when deciding whether an app is right for patrons in their library community.