12 adaptive software and apps you should try
The rapid growth of technology has provided a wide range of tools that can significantly support the education of students with special needs. Adaptive software and apps have become invaluable resources for parents, teachers, and students themselves, offering personalized and tailored learning experiences that accommodate a variety of learning disabilities, cognitive challenges, and physical impairments.
1. Speech-to-Text and Text-to-Speech Tools
For students with reading and writing difficulties, speech-to-text (STT) and text-to-speech (TTS) tools offer significant advantages. These tools help in converting spoken words into written text and vice versa, offering students more control over their learning processes.
Recommended Apps:
Dragon NaturallySpeaking (STT): This tool allows students to dictate their thoughts, which can be transcribed into text. It’s especially beneficial for students who struggle with motor skills or have dyslexia. By enabling students to express their ideas without the physical act of writing, it encourages greater participation and independence.
Kurzweil 3000 (TTS): Known for its comprehensive literacy support, Kurzweil 3000 reads text aloud to students while highlighting each word, improving reading comprehension and vocabulary retention. It also includes features for writing, studying, and test-taking, making it an all-in-one solution for students with learning disabilities.
2. Visual Scheduling and Task Management Apps
Children with developmental or behavioral disorders like autism often benefit from structured environments. Visual scheduling apps break down daily tasks and routines into manageable steps, helping children follow through with tasks while fostering independence.
Recommended Apps:
Choiceworks: A visual support app that allows students to organize their day into clear, easy-to-understand steps. It uses pictures, symbols, and voice prompts to help students with time management and staying focused on tasks. This app is particularly effective for children with autism or ADHD, offering visual reminders of what’s expected throughout the day.
First Then Visual Schedule: Another great option, this app allows parents to create custom visual schedules for their children, helping them navigate through daily tasks with ease. It’s especially useful for kids who have difficulty transitioning between activities, as it offers visual and audio cues to help them stay on track.
3. Math and Literacy Support Apps
Students with dyslexia, dyscalculia, and other learning disabilities often need additional support in core academic areas like reading and math. Adaptive learning apps can assess a child’s unique learning needs and present content in a way that enhances comprehension and retention.
Recommended Apps:
ModMath: For students struggling with math due to dyslexia or other learning disabilities, ModMath offers a touch-screen interface that allows students to complete math problems without the need for handwriting. This app provides digital graph paper for solving problems, making it a perfect tool for students who struggle with organizing numbers and symbols on paper.
Learning Ally: This app offers an extensive library of audiobooks specifically designed for students with reading difficulties. Learning Ally uses human-narrated audiobooks to assist with comprehension, making it a valuable tool for students with dyslexia or other reading impairments. The app offers access to textbooks, literature, and other academic materials, helping students keep up with classroom learning.
4. Communication Support Apps
Many special education students face communication challenges, whether due to autism, speech delays, or physical disabilities that limit verbal communication. Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) apps help students express themselves more effectively by offering non-verbal communication tools.
Recommended Apps:
Proloquo2Go: A widely recommended AAC app, Proloquo2Go helps students who are non-verbal or have speech delays communicate using a customizable symbol-based interface. The app allows users to construct sentences and engage in conversations, making it an essential tool for students with autism or cerebral palsy.
TouchChat: Similar to Proloquo2Go, TouchChat provides an AAC platform that allows students to communicate via pictures, symbols, and text. Its customizable interface caters to a variety of communication needs, and it includes voice output, which helps students communicate with others verbally.
5. Cognitive Development and Behavior Management Apps
For students with attention deficit disorders or other behavioral challenges, apps that focus on cognitive skills and self-regulation can be highly beneficial. These apps help students develop their executive functioning skills, which are crucial for organization, impulse control, and completing tasks.
Recommended Apps:
CogniFit: This app is designed to improve cognitive skills through engaging, game-based activities. It helps children with ADHD and other learning disabilities improve memory, attention, and reasoning skills. Parents can track their child’s progress and receive insights into areas that may need extra support.
ClassDojo: While ClassDojo is primarily a classroom management tool, it’s also incredibly useful for promoting positive behaviors in students. The app allows teachers and parents to set goals and reward students for staying on task or demonstrating good behavior, creating a positive reinforcement loop that encourages better classroom behavior and social interactions.
6. Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Apps
Students with special needs often face challenges related to emotional regulation, social skills, and coping strategies. Social and emotional learning (SEL) apps are designed to teach students how to manage emotions, build relationships, and navigate social situations.
Recommended Apps:
Zones of Regulation: This app uses a color-coded system to help children identify their emotions and learn strategies to self-regulate. It’s especially beneficial for children with autism, ADHD, or emotional disturbances, helping them recognize when they are feeling overwhelmed and providing coping mechanisms to stay calm and focused.
Breathe, Think, Do with Sesame: Targeted at younger children, this app teaches problem-solving, patience, and emotional regulation through engaging stories and interactive activities. It’s a valuable tool for parents who want to help their children build resilience and better handle everyday stressors.
Choosing the right adaptive software or app for your child can make a significant difference in their educational journey. Whether your child struggles with reading, math, communication, or behavioral challenges, there are numerous tools designed to meet their unique needs. As a parent, experimenting with these tools and customizing them to fit your child’s learning style will empower your child to reach their full potential and thrive both in and out of the classroom.