Compatible with all Apple
devices, but with separate
purchases
iPrompts (XL)
iPrompts is a pretty comprehensive autism app that gives you the ability to use a visual schedule without the hassle of cutting, gluing, and laminating for hours circa Old School. It also gives you the ability to visually present this or that choices to your child. I haven't seen another picture schedule app that allows for this or that choices. And you're not limited by only two choices in that scenario. You can create a scenario that involves this or that or that or that or that if you want! Many real world scenarios are more than just a choice between two things and iPrompts takes that into account.
Tilt the iPad (or other iDevice) 90 degrees to see larger images that scroll from side to side when you swipe the screen. iPrompts is very customizable. You can use your own pictures if you so choose. It also features a countdown timer to help with transitions! On the same screen that shows the countdown timer, in both visual form and digital time remaining, you can display a picture of the activity or item that will be transitioned to or from. You'll hear an audible beep when the transition time nears and another when the time is up.
The large library of default images are drawn in a happy, cheerful, positive manner and they look good. Nice, professional artwork! And this is the only app I know of that allows you to search the web for images from within the app! That has the potential to save you lots and lots of headaches when looking for the ideal image to use in a visual schedule. Obviously this is functionality you'd take advantage of when creating custom icons. But this is huge! Do you have any idea how many images are available on the web? Me neither, but it's a lot.
Want it on your iPad? Then you'll need to purchase iPrompts XL. This is the first visual schedule available for the iPad!
Now for my beef with iPrompts: The countdown timer this iPhone app employs is a green square. As time ticks away it slowly empties like a glass of water - a square glass of water. Not sure where they got the idea for a square timer. I think it needs to be round like a clock with time diminishing as the hand goes around. I believe that would help children with autism get a better grasp on the very abstract idea of time.
The biggest drawback of iPrompts is the fact that it has no audio or voice output. Yes, the alarm for the countdown timer beeps, but that's it. Like a ninja, it's silent, and children need that audio reinforcement. Another one of my pet peeves is that there are no default icons for 'Mom' or 'Dad'. We know these kids often want their Mom and Dad. But despite those things, I have to recommend iPrompts. It's solid. And if they ever fix the things I have beef with iPrompts could be a five star app.
