Home / Child 9 must-have apps for kids on the autism spectrum PeppyPals Technology has the power to unlock learning for kids of all ages and stages. By Common Sense Media April 18, 2019 PeppyPals Rectangle Inside this article Peppy Pals Sammy Helps Out Kid in Story Book Maker Calm Counter - Social Story and Anger Management Tool FTVS HD - First Then Visual Schedule HD Proloquo2Go Social Detective Flummoxvision - Watch Flummox and Friends on your iPad The Social Express II Popplet Technology has the power to unlock learning for kids of all ages and stages. And sometimes exploring and learning on a device first is less intimidating than trying out new skills with real people. We love these apps that help kids with communication, organization and even social-awareness skills. 1. Peppy Pals Sammy Helps Out data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-version=”4″ style=” background:#FFF; border:0;border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15);margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% – 2px);width:calc(100% – 2px);”> Ages 3+ Though this social-emotional skill builder is designed for young kids, older kids who struggle with social situations and empathy also might find it helpful. Best used with a parent or teacher, this app provides built-in discussion questions to help guide kids so they can take their learning offscreen. 2. Kid in Story Book Maker Ages 4+ By creating social stories, kids can work with expectations and practice before events actually happen. The special features are particularly helpful for kids who may need to see themselves encountering situations, such as a visit to the dentist, in storybook form before encountering them in real life. 3. Calm Counter – Social Story and Anger Management Tool Ages 4+ This ingenious app helps kids with special needs, social challenges, anxiety, or anger issues learn self-awareness as they begin to identify when they “need a break” and practice calming down. 4. FTVS HD – First Then Visual Schedule HD Ages 5+ With its simple, multisensory interface, this app has great potential for use with kids with developmental or learning disabilities, anxiety or attention issues, and language, hearing, or processing difficulties. 5. Proloquo2Go data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-version=”4″ style=” background:#FFF; border:0;border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15);margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% – 2px);width:calc(100% – 2px);”> Ages 5+ This extraordinary communication aid is great for kids who have basic to severe speech challenges. Kids can learn how to effectively convey wants, needs, feelings, opinions, social manners, and more. 6. Social Detective Ages 6+ Through video and a comprehensive, step-by-step process, kids can learn about expected vs. unexpected behaviors in a variety of everyday situations. Because the videos include real kids and the app offers practical tips, users will be able to identify with and apply what they learn. 7. Flummoxvision – Watch Flummox and Friends on your iPad Ages 8+ For kids who like a little humor, this series of videos and questions offers a unique approach to learning about social skills. When used with an adult or with a group of kids who can interact around the content, the learning potential will expand and have even more impact. 8. The Social Express II Ages 8+ This excellent animated app boosts kids’ social-awareness skills. Kids can learn to identify how their peers are feeling, develop coping strategies, recognize the importance of eye contact, and learn a host of core social skills needed to function in daily life. 9. Popplet data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-version=”4″ style=” background:#FFF; border:0;border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15);margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% – 2px);width:calc(100% – 2px);”> Ages 13+ This mind-mapping tool is especially helpful for kids who have problems with organization and visual memory. Kids can insert words, images, and their own drawings and then connect to other related Popplets to create an interactive outline of related ideas. Originally posted on Common Sense Media. Related Stories Child Learn & Play A love letter to children’s books Child Learn & Play Here’s how to help kids find their ’emotional courage’ Child Learn & Play Finally! This chic, kid-friendly routine builder helped reduce my family’s daily friction Inside this article Peppy Pals Sammy Helps Out Kid in Story Book Maker Calm Counter - Social Story and Anger Management Tool FTVS HD - First Then Visual Schedule HD Proloquo2Go Social Detective Flummoxvision - Watch Flummox and Friends on your iPad The Social Express II Popplet The latest Child Learn & Play Here’s how to help kids find their ’emotional courage’ Child Learn & Play Finally! This chic, kid-friendly routine builder helped reduce my family’s daily friction News Picky eating in kids is mostly due to genetics, study says Mental Health Back-to-school can be hard on parents, too