This Autism iHelp - Home app also includes:
- Graphic & Image
- Vocabulary
- Join to access all included materials
Building a strong functional vocabulary is key for helping children with ASD or PDD NOS communicate their wants and needs. While strengthening vocabulary, learners can also build their sight-word vocabulary by tackling words commonly linked to the home environment. This structured app uses an ABA (Applied Behavioral Analysis) style to help children connect images of household objects and their names through the use of flashcards and repetitive practice.
Additional Tags
App Overview
Practice:
- Choose one of the four options: Dining, Bathroom, Family Room or Games
- If you choose Dining, Bathroom, or Family Room, you will be presented with a series of single images alongside the written and spoken name of that object
- If you choose Dining, an image and the word napkin will be displayed as the audio voice says the word
- Swipe the screen to advance to the next image in the series
- To repeat the audio, just tap the image a second or third time
Games Play:
- There are eight games to play
- Each of the first three games give two game styles to choose from
- The child will either be given an image and need to choose the correct word, or the child will be given a word and need to choose the corresponding image
- The last game option uses all of the previously taught vocabulary words
- In game style one, the child is presented with a single image and three word options
- Each word is read aloud and the child chooses the word that matches the image
- In game style two, a single word is presented and the player is verbally prompted to “find fork” out of four different images
- They tap the image that matches the word shown
- When a correct answer is chosen, the word is highlighted in green and verbal praise is given
- When an incorrect answer is chosen, the word is highlighted in red and the child is prompted to try again
Instructional Ideas
- Since the app provides real-life images and their related word names, extend the concept to the entire room by labeling everything with big bold typed words. This will reinforce sight-word recognition as well as a picture to object correspondence which is necessary for teaching children PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System).
- Use the device as an assessment tool for children with related IEP goals
- Provide the game as an independent practice or recreational activity option
- Have the child say his answers out loud to build an expressive vocabulary and increase correct diction
Classroom Considerations
The game play progresses slowly and has no way to advance to the next screen; this may become frustrating for some children. Also, there is no feature included that will allow the child to progress when he is unable to answer a prompt. This means he will simply choose the wrong answer over and over again.
Pros
- The repetitive nature of the tool will help learners build a functional sight-word vocabulary
- Children will be able to learn the names of objects commonly found in the home
- The images are true to life and the audio voice is extremely clear
- Game-style practice options might be a fun way for learners to practice
- A progress report is provided under Options, it tallies correct and incorrect responses in order to provide a percentage-based score
Cons
- The tool only gives vocabulary for three household domains
- It does not have an option to add vocabulary words