the other lion: going app crazy

My name is Erika and I blog over at the other lion about my son, Punkin, who has a genetic condition called Fragile X Syndrome. I have also been working as an aide with students who have special needs for eight years. Normally I wouldn't blog about technology, but I have to share two great communication apps with you. Even if you don't have an iPad or a tablet computer, you can still use these ideas in your home or classroom. You would just have to do things the old-fashioned way -- with paper.

The first app is called Choice Works, and it is a way to make picture schedules and feeling and waiting boards. It talks and you can either use their clip art library or upload your own photos. It is extremely easy to use  and only costs $9.99. If I were doing this with paper print outs, I would three hole punch them and put them in a binder.

You can save multiple boards and schedules for easy access.

You can set a timer for each part of the schedule and then drag it over to the done column.

The other app is called Talk 'n Photos and it is just what is sounds like -- a talking photo album. So far I have an album titled "What do you want to do?" and one for food. Now, again, if you don't have an iPad, you can still do this. For several years in the preschool classroom I work in, we gave a child photographs of the main dish, fruit, and vegetable every day for him to hand to us in order to request seconds. This is the same idea, it's just electronic. For this one, you record your own voice with each picture. It costs $2.99 and is also very user-friendly.