Bugs and Buttons: This is a great app for improving fine motor skills. It is a collection of 18 various games, which can be used to work on sequencing, timing, visual-perceptual skills, and fine motor development. Well worth the price of $2.99.
Letter School: One of the best handwriting apps I have used. It provides wonderful feedback for letter formation patterns. This app can be used to work on letter formation, grasping patterns (when used with a stylus), fine motor skills, and eye-hand coordination. Well worth the price of $2.99.
Write My Name: Good app for working on name recognition and letter sequencing for writing name. Also can be used for grasping skills if working with a stylus. I would say this would be my second favorite writing app. I prefer Letter School for letter writing but use this for practicing name. Listed at $3.99.
My PlayHome: This is a great app for working on life skills. The characters participate in a variety of activities of daily living such as sleeping, eating, playing, brushing their teeth, cooking, and taking a shower. Great for working on sequencing, play skills, and ADLs. Great for a price of $0.99!
Touch & Say: A great interactive app for learning colors, increasing vocalizations, identifying emotions, and following directions. A must have for free!
Music Sparkle: This is a good app for working on cause and effect. It gives a variety of auditory and visual feedback, which helps hold the child’s attention. I also use it for turn-taking. I think there is a free intro version, but it is now listed at $0.99.
Toca Hair Salon: One of my all-time favorite apps. I love to use this with children who have sensitivity to haircuts. There is a clipper feature that I use in social story format to help children with the sound. Obviously it doesn’t help with the tactile difficulty with haircuts, but it is a wonderful tool to use with children who are sensitive. All of my kids LOVE it! Listed at $1.99.
Toca Store and Toca Tea Party: Both great Toca apps! I use these for working on social skills and turn-taking. Both listed at $1.99.
Most of these I got for free when they were introduced. I will try and keep up with the free apps and post on our Children’s Therapy Center, PSC Facebook page when I see one that might be of interest.
Have fun playing with your precious children!
Melissa Hough, OTR/L, C/NDT
Owner, Children’s Therapy Center, PSC
—–
Melissa Hough, OTR/L, C/NDT is an occupational therapist with over 20 years of pediatric experience and certifications in Sensory Integration (SI) and Neuro-Developmental Treatment (NDT). Melissa has a professional and personal perspective when working with children because she is also the adoptive parent of a child with special needs.
Since 2002, Children’s Therapy Center, PSC has served thousands of families in Louisville, Kentucky, by providing high-quality therapy services and parent education.
