The introduction to the Apps for occupational therapy section is written by yours truly !!!!
As the number of Apps for the special education
community grows exponentially, thank- goodness occupational therapists have Apps for Autism to help us choose the
ones that promote specific “OT” skills such as scanning and eye-hand
coordination. Ipads will never replace the sensory stimulation and kinesthetic
learning we all experience as we explore objects. However, children on the
autism spectrum look at, touch, manipulate objects and learn in atypical ways. They thrive when learning materials are
exciting, predictable, repetitive, don’t feel slimy; and provide cognitive
challenge while utilizing their incredible visual discrimination and memory.
All therapy begins with promoting engagement and
some of the best ways to promote motor skills as simple as touching a screen or
as complex as typing a word is to reinforce (i.e. reward) with bright lights,
colors, sounds, music and animations. Most Apps do exactly that!
The Apps in this section are of particular interest
to occupational therapists because the Ipad becomes more than a screen. It is
manipulated in ways that develop bilateral coordination, motor planning and
finger dexterity. Learners tilt their devices to catch the ABC Maze runaway letter or SCOOP
ice-cream. They develop finger control while playing KNOTS and pre-writing skills by painting on Doodle Buddy.
Occupational therapists have especially come to love
the handwriting Apps that teach correct letter formation. Letter School is one
of my favorites because it requires accurate sequencing and tracing-followed by
fun animations. Handwriting Apps such as LETTER
LAB enable children with pencil control difficulties to first practice
letter formation using only the finger with the option of using a stylus as
skill progresses.
The “Apps for Occupational Therapy” section wouldn’t
be complete without addressing activities of daily living. Brady includes some of
the best Apps to encourage using the potty, choosing weather appropriate
clothing, sequencing to prepare meals and putting some fun into the tough
subject of personal hygiene.
Now that Ipads are widely accepted and used to help
individuals with special needs -of all ages, this revised edition becomes even
more important. Occupational therapists can learn about the pros and cons of the
selected options and integrate them into treatment plans. It’s an exciting time
to be an occupational therapist!
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