Apps for Children with Autism

I was asked by a reader recently to review or list apps for children with special needs or autism. I did some research and read some articles poking around to learn the landscape. I could put some of the apps through the usual tests of design, interface, ease of use, and features, but I wouldn't know if it works well for the intended audience or accomplishes what it seeks to help the end user do.

What I decided to do was compile some resources that I felt could help the parents of autistic children find apps that have been discussed or reviewed by competent authorities.

First is a searchable database of apps for persons with autism spectrum disorder created by Autism Speaks https://www.autismspeaks.org/autism-apps the website gives all pertinent information but what stands out is that they give it a research rating of anectdotal, research, or evidence.

A website called Autism Plugged In http://www.autismpluggedin.com/ does reviews of apps, toys, and provides links to grants for iPads. The website also earns, raises, and donates money for Autism research. With thorough review, screenshots, and videos they show test drives of the apps by the intended audience to make sure they are a good fit.

The website Best Apps for Kids has very thorough reviews of apps for all children. They did a special review of apps that are meant to help autistic children communicate and learn. http://www.bestappsforkids.com/category/kids-apps-by-category/special-education-apps/autism-apps/

Care.com has a great article about Autism apps that discusses the myriad of special need apps and the problem of trying to discover the ones your child needs. They explain a lot about apps that I think is important for everyone to know. All the apps that they focus on in the article are the best for what they do and have been recommended by experts in that category of helping children
https://www.care.com/a/22-best-mobile-apps-for-kids-with-special-needs-1205211605

Smithsonian Magazine did an interview with a company called Infiniteach about their app called Skill Champ. They questions about their app, it includes screen shots and a video showing it being used. It sounds like a useful app and it is a great read
http://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/these-apps-help-kids-with-autism-learn-basic-skills-180954400/?no-ist

Finally, I do have one app to suggest. It is an app that has reviews of other apps. It is called Autism Apps by TouchAutism.com available for iPad and iPhone. It gives all the basic information: description, features, platform, price and links to reviews from Autism Epicenter, Autism Plugged In, and Squidalicious. Users can sort apps by platform, price, or rating. Screen shots and videos of actual users test driving the apps help parents make an informed choice.

Fashion apps

Shopping

Cute (Free. iOS and Android) Beauty and hair supplies at discount prices.

Gilt (Free. iOS, Android, Amazon, web) A big name in high-end fashion deals, they run a 24 hour sale that begins each day. Get notified of a brand, designer, or piece that you’ve had your eye on. They will have an Apple TV app so you can one touch buy from the screen of your television.

Mallzee (Free. iOS and Android) Called the “Tinder of high fashion” users can swipe left or right on items to record what their tastes. Style feeds like “date night” or “work out” help users organize their collections. App also allows users to be notified of deals from over 100 retailers.

ModCloth (Free. iOS and Android) Accessories, clothing, and shoes for young ladies. Make wish lists or pin your favorite items to Pinterest.

Polyvore (Free. iOS and Android) Shop and style the latest fashion trends. Create outfits, shop for clothes, find deals, discover hot fashion, and spot trends. Get fashion inspiration from curated collections, express your style by “liking” items, share what you find on social media, and follow fashionistas and brands.

Spring (Free. iOS and web) Over 800 brands, exclusive deals, and once your share all your details, one touch purchasing. Free shipping and amazing selection are their hallmarks.

Stylect (Free. iOS and Android) Much like Mallzee and in Tinder-esque fashion users swipe left or right on shoes to find the right ones and let the app know their style / preferences. Filter by color, fabric, style, brand, price, etc.

Zulily (Free. iOS and Android) Fashion and home décor items from high-quality brands at up to 70% off. Sales run 72 hours and notifications can be set for your must have items.

Fashion

ASAP54 (Free. iOS only) Called “the Shazam for fashion” it is a photo reverse search to find what and where for your fashion want to have. You can take a picture of someone wearing an outfit or shoes or some accessory you like and it finds out what it is and where you can buy it.

Covet (Free. iOS and Android) The app asks users to vote on designs and rewards them by giving them tickets to enter into contests. Winning a contest gives you “in-app cash” to make purchases for your collection. Create designs with your items to win fashion shows / contests.

FAD – The Ultimate Fashion Dictionary ($3.99 iOS and web) Over 1300 fashion terms to help understand everything from accessory names to types of wedges.

The Hunt (Free. iOS and Android) Much like ASAP54 it allows you to take pictures to try and figure out what the articles of clothing and accessories you like are using a reverse photo search but it also includes the community of users in figuring out what it is and where you can purchase.

Pose (Free. iOS and Android) A weather app that helps users decide what to wear. Giving users pictures of collections to inspire an outfit for the day. Users can help guide the app by choosing from destinations like office, gym, or wearing skinny jeans.

Poshmark (Free. iOS, Android, and web) Resale for high fashion, users can buy, sell, comment, and share items. Poshmark takes a 20% cut on every sale over $15.

PS Dept (Free. iOS only) Have a personal shopper available 24 / 7 tell them what you are looking for and they will find you one or more options. They can help find things based on your tastes or show you what is new or trending. They handle all the transaction details from shipping to returns. Similar app ShopStyle (Free. iOS and Android) does the same thing includes men’s attire.

Stylebook / Stylebook for Men ($3.99 iOS only) Add pictures of your items to create a virtual closet. Layout an outfit as a collage, make a packing list, create a calendar of what to wear, or record what you wore. Helps users purchase items for their collection, plan, and create. Similar apps that do the same thing Closet (Free. iOS only) and Mix Me (Free. Android).

Whisp (Free. iOS only) Described as a “messaging app for fashion lovers only”, it has a beautiful interface that allows users to drag and drop photos to share their designs and outfits.

Men’s Fashion

ASOS (Free. iOS and Android) See photos of collections, watch cat walk videos, view material from the print publication, and you can sync items you see with your account so you can buy it through website.

Cool Guy (Free. iOS and Android) Virtual closet allows users to see how articles of clothing look together. Shop with the ability to see how it works with pieces you already have. Create packing lists and share outfits you have created to get feedback.

Mr. Porter (Free. iOS and Android) Shopping, fashion advice, interviews, and pictures of trending outfits.

Necktie Deluxe (.99 iOS and Android) Learn how to tie all those different knots and what knot is best for an occasion or what you are wearing.

Style.com (Free. iOS only) Read industry news, watch videos, read articles, and look at back issues from 2000 to present.

Swackett (Free. iOS and Android) A weather app that tells you what to wear based on conditions. It will show you what people in the area are wearing

Valet Mag (Free. iOS and Android) Fashion handbook, style tips, back issues of the print magazine, grooming tips, local concierge, and much more.

Coupon and Saving Apps

Websites and Apps that help you save money on things you are buying.

SnipSnap – (Free, iOS and Android) simply snap a picture of a coupon with your phone, the app will remind you of expiration date and in-store prompts. You can connect with friends and share your coupon list. http://www.snipsnap.it/

Yowza!! – (Free, iOS and Android) instead of paper coupons it will notify you of deals in your geographic area, a lot of the deals come straight from the retailer and are available nowhere else. If you like a coupon or deal save it and make sure to have the cashier scan it at checkout. http://www.getyowza.com/

Coupon Sherpa – (Free, iOS and Android) claiming to be the first coupon app it boasts a robust website along with the apps; get e-coupons, retailer deals, website discounts, and special offers from restaurants. http://www.couponsherpa.com/mobile-coupons/

Grocery iQ – (Free, iOS and Android) make your grocery list and it will tell you what coupons and deals are available http://www.groceryiq.com/

iBotta – (Free, iOS and Android) rebates on things you buy at grocery stores, mass merchandise stores like Target, and movie theaters. Now they have team bonuses for reaching certain rebate levels with friends. The rebates are paid by Paypal or Venmo gift card https://ibotta.com/

Checkout 51 – (Free, iOS and Android) pretty much the same thing as iBotta but it has different rebates, what is nice is that sometimes it will be on a generic item like milk or bananas. {again, full disclosure I have this app too} http://app.lk/AaP

Yipit – (Free, iOS only) aggregates more than 30 thousand new deals every month into its existing database. The app makes it easy by only sending alerts about deals you’re interested in. http://yipit.com/

GoodRx – (Free, iOS and Android) compares prescription drug prices at pharmacies near you and online, it has coupons, and saving tips. Consumer Reports gave it high marks. http://www.goodrx.com/mobile

Key Ring – (Free, iOS and Android) all of those little club, discount, loyalty, or membership cards can be scanned and added. They also have 13,000 brands and retailers that you can search for discounts. {I used to have this app but at the time it didn’t accommodate a lot of the cards I have. They claim to have added a lot more and updated.} https://www.keyringapp.com/

RedLaser – (Free, iOS, Android, Windows) you scan the barcode and it will tell you the lowest price for the item, a lot of stores do price matching so this could save you money where ever you shop. It also allows you to add those discount / loyalty cards. http://redlaser.com/

ShopSavvy – (Free, iOS and Android) scan the barcode and it will tell you the cheapest price it can find the item for online https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.biggu.shopsavvy&hl=en https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/shopsavvy-all-sales-in-one/id338828953?mt=8

Pricegrabber  - (Free, iOS and Android) comparison shop 26 categories (think cameras and tablets); the nice thing is it has ratings and reviews of products. http://www.pricegrabber.com/ipad-iphone-android-app.php

RetailMeNot (Free, iOS and Android) with thousands of retailers you can search by category or retailer and see what deals are out there or sign up for alerts on things you are interested in buying. http://www.retailmenot.com/mobile/

Shopkick – (Free, iOS and Android) you get points, called kicks, every time you go to a retailer. If you buy something you get more kicks. These kicks can be redeemed for gift cards. So even if you aren’t shopping or buying and just tagging along you could earn some free stuff.                              http://app.shopkick.com/wr2/4ZYPFFW-4ZYX536

Snap / Groupon – Snap works like Ibotta & Checkout 51; Groupon sells certificates that give you a discount for essentially paying ahead. They also sell discounted items. https://www.groupon.com/ https://snap.groupon.com/

Living Social – sells discount certificates to restaurants and attractions https://www.livingsocial.com/

Honey – a web browser plugin that offers discounts for websites that you shop at https://www.joinhoney.com/

Slick Deals – great deals from all over the web, browse, search, read the forums, or get the newsletter. http://slickdeals.net/

True Couponing – they are local ladies that scour the coupons online and in newspapers then come up with the best possible deals. My wife uses their website and advice every week. http://truecouponing.com/

Deal News – Best deals going on the web posted daily. http://dealnews.com/

Totally Target – The best deals going on at Target, usually also need Cartwheel app http://www.totallytarget.com/

Job Searching

Job Searching Websites:

CareerBuilder.com

Indeed.com

Monster.com (also BeKnown.Monster.com connects your Friends on Facebook to your job 

searching)

SimplyHired.com

GlassDoor.com

TweetMyJobs.com (Pulls Jobs posted on Twitter)

JobsMiner.com (Looks for Job Opportunities posted on Social Media)

TheLadders.com (Executive-level Jobs)

Craig’s List (Local and Small Business Jobs)

Idealist.org (Non-profit Organization Jobs)

USAJobs.gov (Federal Government Jobs)

GovernmentJobs.com (Government Jobs)

Jobs.myflorida.com (State of Florida Government Jobs)

PascoCountyFL.net (Pasco County Government Jobs {select “Job Openings”}

Snagajob.com (Part-Time Employment)

Odesk.com (Freelance jobs)

Crunchboard.com (Technology Jobs)

Dice.com (Technology Jobs)

TechCareers.com (Technology Jobs)

Culintro.com (Culinary Jobs)

eFinancialCareers.com (Banking and Finance Jobs)

JobsOnTheMenu.com (Restaurant and Bar Jobs)

HealthcareJobsite.com (Healthcare Jobs)

MediaBistro.com (Public Relations, Marketing, Movie, TV, etc.)

JournalismJobs.com

SalesGravy.com

TalentZoo.com

Careers.IEEE.org (Engineering Jobs)

Behance.com (Photographers, Musicians, Audio-Visual, Creative Jobs)

If you are in a specialized career field you may want to check the professional association national, regional, and state websites or joblist sites.

JobApplicationsOnline.com (Explains where to find applications and details about filling out the online application)

Careeronestop.org (Career Info, training programs, job search help, resume help, and much more)

Job Search Apps

LinkUp Mobile (Android and iPhone)

LinkedIn Job Search (Android and iPhone)

Hidden Jobs  (iPhone only $.99) also as a website jobs.careercloud.com

JobAware (iPhone and iPad only – Free) also website jobaware.com

JobCompass (Android, iPhone, Amazon Fire)

Apploi  (Android and iPhone) also website apploi.com

iUSAJOBS  (iPhone) or USAJOBS (Android) apply for Federal government jobs

Real-Time Jobs (iPhone and iPad) uses Twitter and allows you to upload resume / apply in app

JobMo (iPhone and Android) allows you to search the most popular job search sites all in one place

BeeKnown (iPhone and Android) connects your job searching and Facebook friends

Similar to their website but as an easy to use mobile app:

Jobs by CareerBuilder (iPhone and Android)

Monster.com Jobs (iPhone and Android)

Job Search by Indeed.com (iPhone and Android)

Simply Hired (iPhone and Android) job search engine