Little City Shares iPad Apps that Benefit Children with Autism

In celebration of April being Autism Awareness Month, Little City works to “Light the City Blue” by sharing apps that help children with autism communicate, learn and increase their skills

Children with autism and other intellectual and developmental disabilities have been increasing their skills by utilizing different applications on iPads throughout the school year at Little City’s ChildBridge Center for Education. In honor of Autism Awareness Month, Little City is sharing apps that benefit children with autism and other disabilities.

These apps have helped individuals learn, communicate, increase motor skills and much more. All applications were recommended by Little City’s Speech-Language Pathologist, Occupational Therapist and Social Worker, and have been used in a learning environment.

Jason Cohen, Little City’s Speech-Language Pathologist, recommends ProLoQuo2Go, a highly customizable speech generating program that children can use to communicate at many different levels. He also uses Choiceworks, which provides a simple, easy to understand picture schedule that helps students know what to expect as they go through a session.

“When a student becomes successful in using ProLoQuo2Go, it essentially becomes their voice,” said Cohen. “They are now able to communicate with others when before they were nonverbal.”

Little City’s Occupational Therapist, Damon Simmons, suggests Bugs & Buttons, an app that fosters growth in visual-motor integration and Dots for Tots, which is play disguised as learning that helps increase hand-eye coordination and motor skills. Damon also utilizes Cause and Effect Sensory Light Box that encourages development and basic awareness of touches and gestures through exploration and play.

During Jessica Peterson Kingji’s time with students, the Social Worker, utilizes Social Talks, which teaches individuals how to correctly identify conversation skills and ABA Flashcards and Games Emotions, which helps children identify, understand and respond to emotions. She also recommends Autism iHelp, a group of apps that help students practice cognitive skills such as object identification, opposites, sorting and much more.
Little City is proud to participate in Autism Awareness Month as they work to “Light to the City Blue” while spreading awareness throughout the community. Eighty percent of children served at Little City have a diagnosis of an autism spectrum disorder. Autism is the fastest-growing developmental disability in the U.S. and increasing awareness is extremely important as early intervention and diagnosis are key for those with autism.

For more than 50 years, Little City has provided programs and services to children and adults with autism and other intellectual and developmental disabilities, including residential options, a therapeutic day school, employment opportunities, home-based supports and much more.

For a complete list of apps recommended by Little City, visit http://www.littlecity.org/resources

To participate in “Light the City Blue” to help spread awareness surrounding autism, visit http://www.littlecity.org/blue

For complete information, visit http://www.littlecity.org  or contact Sally Blake at sblake@littlecity.org or 847-221-7831.

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About Little City Foundation
For more than 50 years, Little City Foundation has developed innovative and personalized programs to fully assist and empower children and adults with autism and other intellectual and developmental disabilities. With a commitment to attaining a greater quality of life for Illinois’ most vulnerable citizens, Little City actively promotes choice, person-centered planning and a holistic approach to health and wellness. Little City’s ChildBridge services include in-home personal and family supports, clinical and behavior intervention, 24/7 residential services and special needs foster care and adoption. Little City’s LifePath Adult Services offers a variety of residential options, employment opportunities, home-based services, case management, day supports, Special Olympics, an award-winning Center for the Arts and more. The organization has a 56-acre campus in Palatine and offices in Chicago. Visit http://www.littlecity.org/ .