Compatible with all Apple
devices, but with separate
purchases
Time Timer
Time Timer is a device that visually presents time as it passes. For example, I can set it for 15 minutes and the red "piece of pie" slowly disappears as the 15 minutes pass by. Then it beeps.
My family owns the little 3" physical version of this timer. You see, this app is a derivative of the original plastic Time Timer product. And the original product helps our son manage time (and reduce behaviors). But we don't take it out of the house with us. We're talking about a 3" square plastic device here. It's a little too large to look inconspicuous in my pocket, and it's also plastic and could get crushed in the right, or wrong, circumstances as well made as it may be.
When we're on the go the iPhone version is what we need. And it has already paid for itself! Like the time me and Braden were in the grocery store. We had to wait for someone to help us at the customer service desk because I forgot to get cash back at the register. My son isn't too fond of waiting, though he's getting better. He began to reenact some hostile version of the Wild West on me. He was hitting and grabbing and showing his displeasure with waiting. I whipped out my handy iPod Touch like it was a 6-shooter, quickly found the Time Timer app, started it up, and handed it to the boy. At that moment the Wild West was won by Dad with the help of Time Timer. Braden stood there calmly starring at the red and white clock face patiently. That was the first time it saved me, but it wasn't the last.
I believe Time Timer is the company that invented this type of visual representation of time. The concept of time is an abstract idea and children with autism don't often get an easy grasp on the abstract. Gotta give the company props for helping these kids with it, even if the original invention had nothing to do with autism or disabilities. It has become a mainstay in the ASD community.
This app gives you many options and extras that its physical counterpart just can't offer. For one, you get to choose from a number of different sounds for the alarm. With the iPhone you can turn off the audible alarm and just have it vibrate if you prefer. That's a nice little extra! How 'bout seeing the remaining time shown in digital format subtly overlaid toward the bottom of the clock face? Yep. You can also switch the Time Timer into clock mode which simply shows you the time al la old fashioned analog clock. Great extra features!
Naturally, the time can be set with your finger, you can create and save timers, use different colors and more. It's cool. But you have to go through lots of steps to set a timer... too many steps. It's my opinion that it needs a 'simple mode' that just gives you a timer, you set it with your finger, and BAM it's going.
I have two issues with the Time Timer app. The iPad version doesn't keep your iPad awake. And once your iPad sleeps the screen goes blank. At that point this wonderful visual timer is no longer visual. The iPhone version includes an option to stay awake though.
It'd be great if the settings were moved into the iPhone/iPad's own settings area so nothing can be changed accidentally by, say, a rambunctious 8-year-old with autism who likes touching the screen. I think all apps that are going into the hands of a child should conceal their settings like that. Time Timer does not conceal their settings. This is the only other issue I have with the app.
Despite my gripes, this app is quality and it does what it intends to do. And it's one of the few apps that my son relied on almost daily until he learned about the hands on a real clock. He still can't tell time, but he can tell that it's passing. And that's what Time Timers are all about!
