Every child is unique and on top of that, there is a wide variety of reasons why a child may be considered to have special educational needs. For a physical disability such as blindness, or things like Autism, Dyslexia, Down Syndrome, Muscular dystrophy and many more.
In many instances, it may be necessary to seek education law legal advice to see what support should be in place for you and your child. But when looking for small ways to help your child day to day, apps designed to support your child, may help.
These apps can help children with many different parts of their lives. From encouraging them to build motor skills or learn sign language, to helping them identify emotions or become more organized.
Take a look at the best apps for children with special needs below…
Super Stretch Yoga
Super Stretch Yoga is a free app for Apple and Android devices that works to build a child’s motor skills.
It has been tailor-made for children who suffer motor difficulties and could benefit from a calming form of exercise, like yoga. The app uses fun animations and videos to allow the child to copy a variety of different yoga possess, as well as to work on breathing.
This app is suitable for children aged four and up, and can increase core strength, promotes wellbeing, and to aims to get the child moving every day.
Following Directions
Created by Teach Speech Apps, Following Directions helps children who struggle to follow instructions. This app was designed to help children with disabilities like SEN, dyspraxia, or other attention deficit disorders.
This app can be downloaded on an Apple device and costs £3.99. It helps children build their memory, auditory processing, and motor skills through several different activities. These activities can range from following instructions to moving objects around the screen and performing physical activities when instructed.
Following Directions encourages children to do these activities with an adult in order to build their communication and attention.
iCan
Children struggling with learning can really benefit from iCan. This app contains a large number of games and videos that encourage self-care and build upon different academic skills.
For example, iCan may be used to help a child with letters and numbers. However, it can also be used to encourage independence by helping the child gain a better understanding of social situations.
This app can be used for an individual child or a group.
Touch and Learn – Emotions
For £1.99, this app teaches children with special educational needs about body language and emotions. It can be useful for all children but in particular, aims to help those who struggle to recognise emotions, for example, a child with autism.
Using a selection of pictures this app asks the child to match the emotion with the image and encourages them each time they get an answer right.
In addition to the pictures already in the app, you can add your own. Meaning that as your child develops the app does so as well.
StoryBuilder
StoryBuilder is a reading app that can help children who struggle to read and write. Children with dyslexia in particular may benefit from this app.
Within StoryBuilder the child can record answers to questions and these answers will be woven together to create a story. This app can benefit children ages four to twelve and can be downloaded on the iPhone and iPad.
Speech Bulbs
For children with speech and language difficulties, Speech Bulbs can be incredibly helpful. This app takes the child’s ability into consideration and provides activities to help them improve.
This voice-controlled app gets children to practice moving their mouths using videos and allows them to see themselves so that they can copy it effectively. The app rewards progress and encourages the child to keep playing with awards, stickers, and interactive videos.
Speech Blubs is £19.99 per month and can be downloaded onto both Apple and Android devices.
British Sign Language – Finger Spelling
For children who are deaf or who struggle to communicate verbally it can be incredibly useful to learn some sign language.
With British Sign Language – Finger Spelling, children can learn how to do the alphabet with two-handed fingerspelling. And encourages them to practice and build their skills.
Apps for Children with Special Educational Needs
These apps can provide children with special educational needs with a little assistance in their day-to-day lives. From improving communication or motor skills to promoting self-care and helping to build a routine.
These apps have been created with special needs children in mind and can be a fun and interactive way to develop skills in areas they may be struggling with.
Please be advised that this article is for general informational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for advice from a legal professional. Be sure to consult an educational law solicitor if you’re seeking advice regarding a child with special educational needs. We are not liable for risks or issues associated with using or acting upon the information on this site.