Autism Technology Tools for You and Your Child

Autism Technology Tools for You and Your Child

Approximately 1 out of every 59 children was diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD for short) in 2018.

Do you have a child who has been diagnosed with an ASD? Are you wondering about the best tools and techniques, like ABA therapy, that you can use to help them continue learning and improving, especially when it comes to their ability to communicate and cope with everyday situations?

There are tons of apps and tools out there that can be very helpful to those working to overcome the challenges that autism can present. In addition to using the right technologies, though, parents also ought to make sure they’re taking advantage of other resources.

Autism and Beyond

Autism and Beyond is an app that helps you spot some of the most common signs of autism.

If your child hasn’t received a formal autism diagnosis yet, it’s important that you schedule an appointment with their doctor as soon as possible. In the meantime, though, you can use this app to look for signs that indicate your child is dealing with an ASD.

Once you’re aware of the signs, you can present that information to your child’s doctor to help them get an accurate diagnosis.

First Then

One of the best things you can do to help your child feel safe and secure is to ensure they’re sticking to a schedule as much as possible.

Routines are essential for children with autism spectrum disorders. The First Then app makes it easier for you to create a schedule and customize it based on your child’s needs and everyday activities.

iPrompts

iPrompts is another helpful scheduling app. It uses visual prompts and timers to help children keep track of what’s on their schedule and maintain their routine even if they’re not able to read.

Pictello

Pictello allows children with autism to tell stories and communicate, regardless of their specific communication abilities.

Whether a child is able to speak or is completely nonverbal, Pictello makes it easy for them to use a combination of pictures, video, and audio to communicate and get their point across.

Endless Reader

Endless Reader is a great tool for parents who want to help their autistic child learn to read. Endless Reader uses a combination of audio and visual tools to help children understand the fundaments of reading and comprehending what they read.

Dreampad

As every parent of an autistic child knows, helping them to fall asleep and stay asleep can be a daunting task. The Dreampad makes this process a bit easier, though.

The Dreampad is a type of pillow that plays gentle music and emits soothing vibrations while the child sleeps. This, in turn, helps them to tune out other distractions and feel more at ease when nighttime rolls around.

Emotions and Feelings

For children with autism, reading and understanding others’ emotions can feel downright possible. Apps like Emotions and Feelings are very helpful when it comes to bridging the gap, though.

The Emotions and Feelings app helps to provide context to people’s emotions and teaches children with autism the common signs that someone is experiencing a particular emotion.

Additional Strategies for Managing Autism

There are tons of apps and tools out there that can be very helpful to those working to overcome the challenges that autism can present. In addition to using the right technologies, though, parents also ought to make sure they’re taking advantage of other resources.

The following tips can be used alongside apps and other technologies to ensure your child experiences continual progress:

Early Intervention Services

The sooner you start seeking out help for your child, the more progress they’re likely to make. Early Intervention Services are free, government-provided services designed for children ranging from infancy to age two. For autistic children, early intervention services include things like speech therapy and play therapy.

Special Education Services

Special education services are designed for children aged three and older. These services are tailored to each child’s specific needs and provide them with the tools and support necessary to attend school. Special education services are also free and funded by the government.

ABA Therapy

In addition to these services, you may also want to look into Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA for short) therapy for your child.

ABA therapy is an effective strategy for managing symptoms of ASD and helping autistic children integrate into the world more easily.

This type of therapy may be a part of your child’s early intervention or special education services, or it may be something that you need to seek out on your own.

Support Groups

Finally, don’t forget to seek out support groups for yourself.

As a parent of a child with autism, you have a lot on your plate, and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Meeting with a support group and spending time with other parents who understand the challenges of ASD can help you feel less alone.

When you attend these groups and get to know the other participants, you may also learn about other tools and techniques that allow you to further help your child.

Try These Autism Technology Tools and Tips Today

As you can see, there are lots of different autism technology tools, as well as strategies and therapies, that you can use to help your child continue to develop and improve.

Whether they need help improving their communication skills or are struggling in another area, there are plenty of steps you can take to help them overcome common hurdles.

Do you want to learn more about caring for a child with autism? Check out the Health and Family sections of our site today for more advice and information.