Tips for getting apps for your child.

Walkthrough from Mashable on how to set up your iPad: http://mashable.com/2010/04/03/ipad-setup/

Optomise your iPad for an SN child: http://mashable.com/2012/05/11/ipad-special-needs/
 
If people ask you what will they get your child for Birthday/Christmas you can ask for an iTunes gift card, available in most music/games shops. Nobody ever knows what to get my son and I have started saying about the iTunes gift card because I know he will get great value out of it!
 
Start off with freebie apps until you get an idea of what your child likes.
 
Also, if you intend on the iPad being an educational tool then don't put computer type games on it, just put educational 'games' on it. Leave the computer games for the PC or DS etc, that way the line is drawn and understood and you don't have to make changes later.........particularly important if you have a child that resists change!!
 
NOW, apps :)
 
This is a really good website with apps on it, reviewed, freebies etc, they have a page on there too with the apps sorted into categories! http://techinspecialed.com/2011/06/24/freediscounted-appsresources-new-layout/ They have a Facebook page 'Technology in Education' My favourite place to go for apps!!
 
Great website with apps categorized, look along the top and find the area you want to work on and the apps that fall into this range are listed and evaluated!! http://www.theappacademy.org/app_training/index.html
 
Another site that lists freebies/reductions is http://digital-storytime.com/sale.php Their FB page is Digital Storytime.
 
This app http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/autism-apps/id441600681?mt=8 links you to SN apps and reviews of them, to help you choose or find the right app
 
www.momswithapps.com run #appfriday and have developers take part with reduced apps
 
3 websites that also run though apps suitable for special needs children:
 
http://www.childrenwithspecialneeds.com/index.php/special-needs-apps.html
 
http://www.oneplaceforspecialneeds.com/main/library_special_needs_apps.html
 
http://broxtermansblog.blogspot.com/p/app-reviews-this-section-will-give.html
 
http://www.smartappsforkids.com/
 
PDF file here listing apps suitable for SEN, you can download/view the document from here safely, I know because I created the site and uploaded it!! Thanks to Nicola from Jonix for this document. https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=sites&srcid=ZGVmYXVsdGRvbWFpbnxqZW5pYWFzZW5hcHBzfGd4OjUwZTgzNGU0NzU1MzJkZWQ
 
A downloadable pdf file here with apps for literacy support: http://www.spectronicsinoz.com/article/apps-for-literacy-support
 
AAC apps listed and detailed for quick review: http://www.spectronicsinoz.com/article/iphoneipad-apps-for-aac

Scheduling & behavioural: http://blog.friendshipcircle.org/2011/02/16/seven-scheduling-behavioral-apps-for-children-with-special-needs/
 
Social skills & life skills: http://blog.friendshipcircle.org/2011/02/23/11-social-skills-life-skills-apps-in-ipad-app-store/

Scheduling & Behavioural: http://blog.friendshipcircle.org/2011/02/16/seven-scheduling-behavioral-apps-for-children-with-special-needs/

For Teachers/Classroom/Education: http://www.brighthubeducation.com/teaching-methods-tips/89780-top-10-ipad-apps-for-education/

8 Free iPad Games For Math Skill Development In Children With Autism
http://www.autismpluggedin.com/2012/04/8-free-ipad-games-for-math-skill-development-in-children-with-autism.html
 
Apps and software for students with language-based learning disabilities
http://www.inov8-ed.com/2011/12/apps-and-software-recommendations-for-students-with-language-based-learning-disabilities/
 
Spreadsheet of apps, reviewed and categorized: http://www.squidalicious.com/2011/01/ipad-apps-for-autism-spreadsheet-of.html
 
Download Free App King and it gives reductions and freebies too and check www.freeappaday.com for free apps daily. Those two will be mostly games but sometimes a real gem comes up and also, you might like to play some games on the device yourself!!
 
Books for older & struggling readers age 10 & up http://digital-storytime.com/wp/?p=897

100 recommended book apps for age 10 and up http://bit.ly/I6IDns
 
100 apps for age 10-14 year olds http://edudemic.com/2011/11/ipad-middle-school/

For Teachers/Classroom/Education: http://www.brighthubeducation.com/teaching-methods-tips/89780-top-10-ipad-apps-for-education/
 
Will go through the list of apps first for you:
 
Some freebies: Little Spellers, Little Readers, Talking Tom, Redfish Alphabet (was free when I got it), do a search in the App store for 'words' and see what freebies come up, same with 'numbers' and 'counting' some of the apps I have may have been free originally but maybe not now
 
There is a FAB range of paid apps by 965 Studios called Learn.........animals, colours, shapes, numbers, fruit. All those apps give social praise when they get the correct one, but if your child already knows his shapes, colours etc there isn't much point. But they are brilliant apps and great fun for kids.
 
 
There are a few Disney apps that he LOVES and they are really good for 80c each, Finding Nemo, Winnie the Pooh, Cars and Micky Mouse, all puzzle books that read the story and there are things to touch that move and little jigsaws to do.
 
Other ones called 'Touch Emotions' and Touch numbers' were free when I got them, not sure if they are now, but they are good too.
 
If you also search for 'autism' in the app store it will being up a TON of apps. Don't download any paid ones yet, not until you know what he is into, so try out any freebies you can until you get a feel for what he likes :) There are colouring books, books, you name it you can get free ones.
 
This is a post I did last December with some good apps listed: http://www.thekingandeye.com/2010/12/my-top-10-iphone-and-ipad-apps-for.html
 
Also, keep an eye on the IAA page as I post up there at the weekends when apps go free

 
Other apps
 
Preschool University Apps are free: http://www.appspy.com/preschool-university-seller
 
Free vocabulary apps here: http://www.mayer-johnson.com/category/apps
 
Different types of matching, object/category/family etc all free and we like them
 
http://www.myfirstapp.com/MyFirstApp/MyFirstApp_-_iPad_apps_for_young_children.html
 
Communications app - Grace App http://graceappforautismoniphone.blogspot.com/ - yaay for Irish apps, right?
 
Social stories: tip from Lisa - Yes - Model Me kids do excellent social stories.iCommunicate is a great App for tailoring and creating Social Stories with pictures and you can make it talk. Off We Go series by Off We Go! - Helping Kids to Learn Day to Day Experiences which are even made in Ireland.
 
A great website here that lists tons of apps in categories if you want to find apps for yourself: http://apps.cultofmac.com/#