Wednesday, December 10, 2014
Last iPad giveaway
This will be the last iPad given away from Babies with iPads. It is just too difficult to raise funds when we are not non profit. This is a refurbished 3rd generation iPad and will be given away 12/20/2014. Applications deadline is 12/19/2014. Please get your applications in quickly. Thanks for all the support the past few years.
Sunday, May 5, 2013
Top 10 Apps for Children with Cerebral Palsy.... Marcela De Vivo, Guest Blogger
Top 10 Apps for Children
With Cerebral Palsy
Daily I marvel at how parents of yesteryear handled having
children—especially children with special needs. Through blogs and the
Internet, there is a greater understanding of what special needs entail and
network of support for parents. Technology has also benefited the children
themselves, with all types of advances providing assistance where they need it
the most.
Communication often can be a struggle for children diagnosed
with cerebral palsy. Sometimes getting the most basic messages be a challenge and
create frustration for parents and child alike. For children with cerebral
palsy (and autism, Downs Syndrome, or other conditions that impair language and
verbal communication), a number of applications for tablets and smartphones
have been developed with their special needs in mind. Augmentative and
alternative communication (AAC) apps helps those struggling with speech to
communicate with their parents, teachers, and peers.
Children with cerebral palsy can also benefit from other apps
that help improve motor control skills. Here are some of the best apps out
there for children with cerebral palsy.
1
Proloquo2Go - AssistiveWare One of the highest rated and most popular (and
relatively expensive) apps available, this AAC program is highly customizable
and can be adjusted to a wide range of users. This text-to-speech program
generates speech by tapping buttons with symbols/icons or typing on-screen. It
features a range real children’s voices from which to choose, and can be
personalized with a combination of icons and photos. Best of all, this program
is easy to customize and personalize on-the-go. Here is a video of the Proloquo2go being
used by Max, a nine-year-old-boy diagnosed with cerebral palsy.
2
TapToTalk™ - Assistyx LLC Like Proloquo2go, this is a AAC program. A
free application, it offers solid basic text-to-speech needs, but does not have
quite the vocabulary or flexibility of its more expensive competitor. However,
if you purchase the customizable version, you will be able to add more words
and images (including your own photos) as needed.
3
Yes-No - Smarty Ears From the
Smarty Ears stable of AAC applications, this basic, quick and easy application
only offers a choice between yes and no, but is a great program for non-verbal
or pre-verbal children to quickly get across an answer. The two-choice sets can
be configured with pictures, audio and text as needed to illustrate the
difference between the two choices.
4
iComm - Bappz An excellent AAC application for quick
choice-making, iComm comes with a number of pictures and voice recordings of
colors, shapes, letters and body parts, with the option of customizing with
your own photos and recordings. All the child has to do is select the images
that correspond with point they want to communicate and create a short
sentence.
5
First Then Visual Schedule - Good Karma
Applications, Inc A great tool
that helps children to better understand their daily schedule—especially for
those with a rigid timetable. Foreknowledge and understanding of next steps can
help decrease frustration and anxiety in children, especially with those with
limited communication skills or understanding of sequences. A selection of
photos and voice prompts (you can record your own) allows you to create custom
schedules that walk children through their routines.
6
SpeechBox™ for Speech Therapy (Apraxia,
Autism, Down's Syndrome) - iPad Edition - The Jonah Bonah Learning
Company An Award Winning iPad app designed for word practice, this
easy-to-use program uses simple picture-for-word “flashcards” to help children
increase their vocabulary. Not only does the app have over 700 pictures/words,
but you can customize by adding your own pictures (including friends and family
members) for practice.
7
Dance Party Zoo - FIZZBRAIN LLC A fun way to practice balance, coordination,
and rhythm (while engaging children in always needed physical activity), Dance
Party Zoo is a dancing game that provides children feedback about how well they
did at keeping rhythm via a simple graph. Not only are children able to pick
their own zoo animal as an avatar, the after each session, they can watch their
avatar replay the dance.
8
Dexteria - Fine Motor Skill Development -
BinaryLabs, Inc. A
multiple-award winning app, Dexteria is a set of therapeutic hand exercises.
Used on a regular basis, this program can build strength, control, and
dexterity. A great program to improve fine motor skills in children’s hands, so
as to get their handwriting-ready. Dexteria has an automatic tracking and
reporting feature that allows you to monitor progress.
9
Injini: Child Development Game Suite -
NCSOFT This collection of
learning games target toddlers and preschoolers with cognitive, language, and
fine motor delays. Injini entertains and engages children with 10 feature
games, 90 puzzles, over 100 illustrations and more, while helping them practice
their fine motor and language skills, and improve spatial awareness, memory and
visual processing.
10
Zanny—Born
to Run. With beautiful illustrations, pictures that move by touch,
and an audio narration this interactive app is part of a book series written
specifically for children with special needs. While not directly aimed at
children with cerebral palsy, the story focuses on acceptance, tolerance and
understanding of people who are “different.” This program comes with a game
that helps children recognize facial expressions and feelings.
And here’s a short bonus list of apps that are not
specifically targeted for children with special needs, but are for preschool
aged children and so still can be used as great tools for development.
1
iEarnedThat HD - Kidoc, LLC An excellent non-verbal and
interactive motivational tool to keep your child working towards a goal. Take
any picture of a desired reward and turn it into a 3D interactive jigsaw puzzle
(of up to 60 pieces), set the goal and how each puzzle piece is awarded, and
encourage your child as they earn their desired prize one piece at a time.
2
iTouchiLearn Life Skills: Morning Routines
for Preschool Kids - Staytoooned Teach your child virtual morning routines that
can translate into real world activities. Each level is achieved only by
completing a unique activity in the prior level; children earn star rewards for
successful completing a goal. This interactive program reinforces life skills
in a fun, approachable manner.
3
Monkey Preschool Lunchbox - THUP
Games A great way to introduce
your child to letters, colors, shapes, counting and pattern recognition.
Children earn reward stickers to put on their own virtual canvas board by
helping the monkey fill his lunchbox with fruit through solving puzzles and
other learning games. Added possible bonus: convincing the picky eater to try
eating something that’s featured in the monkey’s lunchbox.
https://plus.google.com/117529920951384370180? rel=author">Marcela De Vivo
is a freelance
writer in the
Los Angeles area. Her oldest son has cerebral palsy and it was her special
needs lawyer that
first suggested many of these apps, all of which she now uses on a near-daily
basis.
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Monday, January 14, 2013
Guest Blogger: Victoria's Favorite Apps
Hello my name is Christina Yauch. My daughter,
Victoria, was diagnosed with Cri Du Chat Syndrome at a six month well visit in December 2010. Cri Du Chat is a very
rare chromosomal anomaly and most doctors have never seen a case of Cri Du
Chat.
Each year in the United States, approximately 50
to 60 children are born with 5p- Syndrome (five p minus), also
known as Cat Cry Syndrome or Cri du Chat Syndrome.
5p- Syndrome is characterized at birth by a high pitched cry, low birth weight,
poor muscle tone, microcephaly, and potential medical complications.
"5p-" is a term used by geneticists to describe a portion of
chromosome number five that is missing in these individuals. Children born with
this rare genetic defect will most likely require ongoing support from a team
of parents, therapists, and medical and educational professionals to help the
child achieve his or her maximum potential. Years ago, it was common to place
children with 5p- Syndrome in institutions with other severely mentally impaired
individuals. During the early 1980s, research revealed that those raised in
family settings with the benefit of early intervention programs made remarkable
progress, far exceeding the expectations of doctors who first described the
syndrome. Most individuals who have 5p- Syndrome have difficulty with language.
Nearly all children with 5p- Syndrome have poor muscle tone when they are
young. Other characteristics may include feeding difficulties, delays in
walking, hyperactivity, scoliosis, and significant mental impairment. Both
children and adults with this syndrome are usually friendly, happy, and enjoy
social interaction. With early and consistent educational intervention, as well
as physical and language therapy, children with 5p- Syndrome are capable of reaching
their fullest potential and can lead full and meaningful lives. (Taken from 5p-
Society Website)
Victoria has been using an iPad since she was
about 8 months old. It has been a wonderful experience for the whole family.
She uses the iPad to teach basic cause and effect skills and as a motivator
during PT and OT sessions. She is also learning communication through choice
making apps and the yes/no app. Victoria uses the Talkboard app to let us know
she wants to eat or drink. We created a board with a picture of a bowl, a toy,
and a photo of herself. If she is hungry, she taps the bowl and it repeats back
to her "breakfast" I love the app because it's easy to use and adapt
to your child's needs. We use the same app to involve Victoria in repetitive stories.
I am also planning on making her a photo album with the entire family's photos
using the My Family app. The My Family app allows you to add photos along with
a recording of the name of the person in the picture. She can tap the photo to
move through the album.
Victoria is doing extremely well with the iPad
and I am very happy we introduced her to it so early. She had really progressed
since the introduction of the iPad. It is so versatile, in that it can be used
for entertainment, learning, communication, etc. I really like the fact that it
can grow with the child. You can download the appropriate apps for your child's
age and cognitive level. Victoria's favorite apps are listed below:
We have been devastated, humbled, and blessed
since her diagnosis. Victoria is
a beautiful, happy baby who lights up the room with her smile and giggles. She has
taught everyone around her more in her short life of 20 months than most will
teach their entire lives. She continues to progress and surprise us every day. Through her hard work and the hard work of her phenomenal
therapists, Victoria is already
surprising the medical community with her accomplishments. She is absolutely
amazing and makes an impact on everyone who meets her. To learn more about Cri Du Chat Syndrome, please visit www.fivepminus.org .
Sunday, December 16, 2012
Apps just for CVI
So exited to report that Little Bear Sees has done it again
with a new app My Talking Picture Board - Little Bear
Sees for our kiddos with CVI.
Check it out!!!! If you are not familiar with Little Bears Sees then please
check out their website http://www.littlebearsees.org/
. As far as I know they are the only organization making apps for our little
ones with CVI. Their original Tap-n-See Zoo - Little Bear Sees is
still one of my favorites for our young ones with cortical vision impairment.
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Next iPad Grant is Ready
Sunday, January 22, 2012
My 10 Favorite Apps for Children with CVI
I have been asked by numerous people to post my personal favorite lists and it is very difficult for me to pick my favorites because each child is different and I use different apps for different kids but I have narrowed down 10 that use the most with infants and toddlers with cortical vision impairment. I work in WV Birth to Three as a developmental specialist and vision specialist for infants and toddlers with CVI. So this list is in no particular order:
These are probably the apps I go to most for infants and toddlers in late phase 1 and phase 2. I have other suggestions for children in phase 3. For infants and toddlers in early phase 1 I typically only use the free lightbox type apps along with the free flashlights. Hope this helps and would love your suggestions.
Bridget Bailey
Developmental Specialist/Vision Specialist for CVI
Monday, August 22, 2011
Next iPad Grant is Ready
I just purchased the next iPad for a deserving 13 to 18 year old with multiple medical and/or developmental issues that resides in the US. The deadline is September 13, 2011 at 4 pm and the iPad will be granted the next week. Please spread the word.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
A spells his name using the iPad
Using TapSpeak Sequence A is able to spell his name. I think he looks so proud at the end!!!!
Monday, July 4, 2011
Austin's Top Ten Apps
My son's name is Austin. He will be 7 in September. He has "Ring 18" which is a
chromosome abnormality that is very rare. With this he has a midline
facial cleft (lip and palate), spastic cerebal palsy, hearing loss,
cortical visual impairment and non-verbal. Austin's favorite list includes:
Thanks Austin and Austin's Mom. Hope the waterproof case works out well for you!!! Congrats.
chromosome abnormality that is very rare. With this he has a midline
facial cleft (lip and palate), spastic cerebal palsy, hearing loss,
cortical visual impairment and non-verbal. Austin's favorite list includes:
Thanks Austin and Austin's Mom. Hope the waterproof case works out well for you!!! Congrats.
Friday, June 17, 2011
Giving away a waterproof iPad case
I have something to give away. A Trendy Digital waterproof iPad case but I need something from you. I would love your top ten list of favorite apps. Either your top 10 free apps, your top 10 paid apps, your top 10 apps related to your child's special needs, your child's top 10 apps, etc. I hope to have all the lists by Tues June 21 and I will randomly choose a list owner to mail the cover too. Please email your list to me at bab006@aol.com Thanks You can check out the Trendy Digital Waterproof case at Amazon.com
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Guest Blogger Cynthia
He had started a special education class after a full year of intense speech therapy and constant work at home. Things were clicking in my head...he responds so well to vertical presentation, he repeats phrases more often from repetition like from the television, bright colors and movement engage him.. then I saw him interact with the adapted pc in the classroom and wanted one for our house. There were some problems with that idea because putting any three-year-old in front of a pc is risky anyway, nevermind the autism. Should I get an old pc and buy a touchscreen ?...and then the software...and then set it up in a place he wouldn't knock it down...and do all games work with the adaptive touchscreen? and, and, and well, I think you get the idea. This is when I started to hear about iPads. *hunch time* An iPad might end up costing a similar amount of money and I couldn't spend that much on a hunch unless I found a way to get the money without taking away from my other two children. So I sold necklaces.
Someone decided that I had a great hunch (or I make lousy necklaces) and gave him an iPad. Pressure time. It's one thing to have this hunch fail after I purchased an iPad -after all, we are a family of five -someone would put it to use, but I found myself anxious over such a gift. Someone trusted my hunch and spent a nice chunk of money on that hunch.
I worried for nothing. From the moment my son held that gift, things have not been the same here. It was an immediate love that hasn't dulled since he got it in February. From the moment he started to maneuver its screens I was shocked at his abilities. His movements were slow and jerky at first (thanks to delayed fine-motor functions) but you should see him now! He stays on task. He has an impressive memory that he flaunts in memory games. He puts puzzles together on screen that I never could have gotten him to do sitting on the floor before! He is spelling words! The most impressive thing? He is speaking more and doing it appropriately. He also looks at people while he is playing to see if they are watching him accomplish a task or if they are as happy about a book as he is! Self-esteem is nothing to be ignored and I believe conquering these puzzles and strutting his cognitive self has spilled over into his daily interactions.
Some of you may be wondering if all of these new skills are only exhibited while he is using his iPad. The answer is: nope. He drew his first face for me on paper (complete with eyes and mouth) three weeks ago. He says words to get what he wants and if he can't recall the word, he pulls from his list of memorized phrases, and if he is just too excited to recall his words, he leads me by the hand and places it on the desired object. Today, he sat in front of his iPad with a Sprout app clip of Nina and Star doing a clay leaf craft. He took me to the Playdoh and led me back to the counter where he verbally explained the steps needed for us to make leaves together.
Here is our top ten list of apps ( Separately, our lists would differ a tad since he loves the Noisy Book, and I don't love the "baby poo" noises, but we do have common ground)
1. I Love You Through and Through (Scholastic) Nothing sweeter than seeing Aiden perform this book while the story is being read.
2. The Monster at the End of this Book (Sesame Street) Who doesn't love Grover?? A great book that has cause and effect value as well as highlighting each word defining word and sentence structure.
3. Little Bella's -I Close My Eyes (Tui Studios) This is the book that Aiden fell in love with first. Breathtakingly beautiful, she will draw everyone into her love of imagination.
4. Bob Books #1 Reading Magic (Learning Touch) Want help teach letters? How about phonics? Maybe story progression? Hands down, one of the best, most interactive learning books available.
5. Winnie the Pooh -What's a Bear to do? Puzzle book (Disney) Pooh needs honey for his pots and my son gets to solve puzzles and hear an adorable and very simple story.
6. ABA Receptive Identifications by Function (Kindergarten.com) All of Kindergarten.com's apps get a high rating from Aiden and me. No, I'm not listing this to make me look good, my son actually adores this app. Making choices by function is difficult for people on the spectrum and it's easy to understand why; If you are given the task of picking the object that you carry and are given the choices of an apple, a clock, and a book bag, your inner test-taker will pick the book bag, but that choice is not so easy for a literal mind who clearly sees that all can be carried...this app helps make the distinctions.
7. Monkey Preschool Lunchbox (Thup games) Puzzles, matching, letters, stickers and an adorable monkey. This was Aiden's very first app and still in his top ten.
8. Nick Jr.'s A to Z with Moose and Zee (Nickelodeon) Find the letters and have fun!
9. Sprout Player (PBS) I had a strict "No video" rule for the iPad, but gave this a shot because I heard so much buzz... This is wonderful for my son. He can back up the clips at-will and review words as many times as need until a "click" happens. Very well made and has not turned into a fixation for my son.
10. ABC Expedition (Meldmedia Inc) There are a ton of ABC apps on Aiden's iPad (generalization!!) and this is so clear and adorable with a bonus side of entertaining.
Thanks Cynthia and please check out Cynthia's blog at http://cgregoryrun.blogspot.com
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Free Codes for iBabyButtons...
Free Codes to redeem from our friends at SoftwareSmoothie.
MYX4JJFNYMYX
JWTTWEM7FEXF
Y7J79RHHJ47M
EHNX3X76MRTH
XNAJLTJPRFEJ
Please leave a comment about which code you took and also pay a visit to Software Smoothie's Facebook page and leave a comment there about how you like the game.
Monday, May 2, 2011
Monday, April 18, 2011
S uses the iPad to hear Taylor Swift
S loves to hear Taylor Swift sing so using ChoiceBoard Maker app S can chose to hear his favorite singer/blonde.
Anyone else have any good ideas for ChoiceBoard Maker? S's mom and I problem solved what he wanted and that was to have control in picking his favorite singer so we tried ChoiceBoard Maker and it works perfect. We only gave him one choice so he would have success. I have another video of him with Carrie Underwood. He also loves Ellen but we have not been able to find the Ellen Theme song on iTunes. LOL
http://youtu.be/SPmoc1KxXe8 Video of S asking for Carrie Underwood too
Friday, April 8, 2011
Thirty One Products Fundraiser for Babies with iPads
http://www.mythirtyone.com/50876/
If anyone is interested in Thirty-One Products all profits from purchases will go to the Babies with iPads grants. So browse our catalog and submit your orders to the linked website and 100% of all commissions will go towards our grant. Happy Shopping.
Bridget
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Our First Babies with iPad Winner
Update from his mom: The first time he was excited, yet very frustrated, like he really wanted to play it but wasn't quite sure how. Within a couple more sessions he has really gotten the hang of it and now gets excited each time. He has quickly learned to turn the pages of the book app I got him--The Monster at the End of This Book (for iPad) - Sesame Street. It is a great app for him to understand the concept of turning pages (on the iPad). This photo series is of him engaging with the "Grover" book and then also of him playing the piano (this session of working with the iPad lasted about an hour!!!). You can see in the last few photos he really starts to get into playing the piano. I would take a turn and then he would take a turn. This was incredible. I really feel like it's the first time in his life that he has been able to express himself through an object. Soliz is very social and engages with people and kids (and dogs too) but he has never, until now, engaged with a "thing". We are taking it slow so he can continue to enjoy and improve his motor skills and eventually use the iPad as a way to communicate. I already see great improvement in his motor skills--also when he is not using the iPad. I will try to send frequent updates. I thank you again for giving Soliz the awesome opportunity.
Heather Joy
Monday, April 4, 2011
Sunday, April 3, 2011
How to Find the Latest Special Needs Apps
http://www.lilliespad.com/storage/articles/LatestSpecialNeedsApps.pdf
Article in national magazine iPhone Life. Babies with iPads mentioned along with other websites.
Article in national magazine iPhone Life. Babies with iPads mentioned along with other websites.
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