They say “practice makes perfect”, and what’s a more motivating practice method than iPad apps!? While occupational therapists (OTs) will likely encourage more “hands on” activities, there is no denying that technology is part of our world. Kids can build skills using iPad apps too. I use apps in my treatment sessions and recommend them for home and classroom use. What’s even better than an OT-approved app? Free OT apps! Check out the list below for some app suggestions to work on OT-related skills outside of session time!
1. iDo Hygiene
Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)/Hygiene
I love to use this app with my life skills support students who are working on self-care skills. There are pre-made visual schedules with real photos already in the app. You can also take your own photos and videos to create your own personalized visual schedule for a variety of ADLs including: showering, toileting, washing your face, brushing teeth, shaving with an electric shaver, making a ponytail, etc.
Check out the FREE Toilet Training Data Sheet resource & the Toilet Training Toolkit for some other visuals and resources for students learning skills like using the bathroom and washing their hands. If you don’t know already, we love visual schedules around here!
2. SnapType
Assistive Technology for Handwriting Delays
I have so many students who utilize SnapType in class on their iPads. This app is for students who struggle to keep their work legibly within the space provided on worksheets . Students can take a picture of their worksheet on the iPad. Then, they can type right onto the worksheet to complete it alongside their peers! With a simple airdrop or email to the teacher, the student’s work can be printed and/or graded easily. This is a great accommodation for students who struggle with handwriting legibility or speed.
3. iTrace
Visual Motor Skills & Pre-Writing
Most tracing and handwriting apps are paid. There are some free “trial” versions that only offer a few letter. iTrace is similar in that you need to unlock premium features [$3.99] to get access to all the letters under the specific sections that list all uppercase and lowercase letters. However, if you go under “Letters”, a random variety of letters [upper and lowercase] as well as numbers appear! This is even on the free version. You can also customize the name of the student [you can input any word] and practice that [see below]. This is in addition to pre-programmed words.
I like the calm music in the background of this app. Many of my students find it regulating. There isn’t a sound/auditory feedback when you make a mistake. Some of my students can get “stuck” on that sound and like to make it occur repeatedly; detracting from the tracing practice. I have found the visual-only cuing on this app to be beneficial for some students!
Check out the Simple Writing: Tracing Letters resource for some non-digital tracing practice! I also love the Writing Wizard App!
4. Highlights Hidden Picture Puzzle Play
Visual Perceptual Skills [figure ground]
Visual perceptual skills are such an important part of children’s development. They can be strengthened through activities like puzzles and other childhood games. Visual perceptual skills, the way your brain perceives and processes visual information, are essential in learning to read and write. Many iPad apps can be used to work on visual perception [although I would encourage a limit on screen time for all children!]. Hidden pictures is a great way to work on one important visual perceptual skill: figure ground [think Where’s Waldo].
Check out Taylor’s blog all about figure ground for more information!
5. Ready Set Dial
Personal Information & Life Skills
Who has read my blog on how to prep the personal information flip books and forms? I love to pair this app with that type of practice! The Ready Set Dial app has a variety of ways that you can learn and practice dialing your phone number. The scaffolded practice and engaging format makes this a really great daily practice recommendation for teachers to use with our shared students. It only works on phone number [you input them under contacts, so you can have more than one saved]. Make sure to check out our Simply Special Ed to work on all of your students’ personal information! I recommend the following:
- Name Book & Worksheets
- Name File Folders
- Personal Information Flip Cards
- Hello Binder Morning Work Binder [digital version]
QUICK TIP: Use a stylus!
Even if you aren’t working on handwriting specifically with the apps above [or during any other iPad time], use a stylus! Rather than just working on finger isolation by clicking the screen, children can practice pencil grasp and build up motor memory as well as strength/endurance when using a stylus each time they use their device. I like to call it an “iPad pencil”. I can’t wait to hear about all the ways you are able to target a variety of skills with some of these free OT apps!
