# Sensory Light Box — Cause and Effect Skills

> Interactive light and sound app for cause and effect learning and sensory exploration. (iPhone/iPad app by Cognable.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sensory-light-box/id533976433 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Cognable](https://appshunter.io/developer/507195968)
- Category: Education, Games, Family
- Price: $3.99
- Rating: 4.30/5 from 9 App Store ratings · 32 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 9.0 · 66 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2012-06-19
- Data updated: 2026-08-17
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sensory-light-box/id533976433/reviews.md

## What is Sensory Light Box?

Light Box uses abstract animation and sound to introduce basic touch skills and awareness.

Light Box has become a popular choice for parents of babies and young toddlers but was originally made for teenagers with autism and a range of complex needs. Sounds and graphics are appropriate for any age-group.

Light Box naturally encourages exploration of touch gestures through 30 scenes which range from calm & immersive to loud & energetic. Numerous options are provided to customise visuals and simplify controls. 

Reviews from purchasers:

"Cause and Effect Sensory Light Box is a multifaceted app to use when teaching cause and effect, targeting, and visual attention. Great for use with low vision kids or as a "chill out " app for the overly stressed kid or adult....."

"My son is ASD and loves this app so much. Already has a favourite setting. Highly recommended, not just for SEN kids."

"My 18 month old loves it! Great for young ones. Lots of different lights and sounds. Easy to use. :) "

"My almost-5-year-old, blind and autistic, is still trying to figure out how touching the tablet works. This app had him refining his touch and laughing and interacting almost immediately! What a great find!"

"Really pleased with this - great auditory and visual feedback. Used with different people and all find something they like. Well worth the money."

"My DS/Autistic son loves this app. it is calming and soothing and keeps him well engaged. I would recommend this app for long waits and crowded places."

Light Box also provides automatic (touch free) play to enable switch control for basic cause and effect. 

For more information on setting up your Bluetooth switch or keyboard click the Developer Website link and scroll down.

## Key features

- Abstract animation and sound
- Basic touch skills introduction
- 30 customizable scenes
- Calm and energetic options
- Automatic touch-free play
- Switch control compatibility

## Chart rankings

- #189 in Top Paid · Education (US App Store)

## Recent user reviews (10 of 32)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sensory-light-box/id533976433/reviews.md

### 5/5 — A calming, sensory-safe haven in my pocket

*2025-11-16, version 5.5.0*

This app is wonderful for sensory regulation. The visuals are soft, soothing, and responsive in a way that feels grounding without being overwhelming. The colors, motions, and sounds are gentle enough for sensitive users but still stimulating in a comforting way.

I use this when I’m overstimulated or anxious, and it helps settle my mind quickly — especially paired with headphones or a chewy. It’s rare to find an app that understands sensory needs without being too bright, too noisy, or too busy.

If you’re autistic, ADHD, or anyone who benefits from sensory grounding tools, this feels like having a portable calm space. I’m really grateful it exists. Highly recommended.

### 5/5 — Love this app!!

*2024-12-21, version 5.5.0*

I’ve used this for many years on the iPad and on desktops and interactive whiteboards. It is a wonderful introduction to cause effect for my students with multiple disabilities, and it works well with any access mode. It’s always been a favorite for my students from prek to high school. They all love it!

### 5/5 — We got a new fridge on October 4

*2023-10-04, version 5.5.0*

Hi I’m a autism 13 year old kid but this app was claiming and good thank you and this app made me want to go to the BRB and I was spinning on a chair because of the music we got a new fridge and fridgebusters (and I don’t want to go to the BFB from BFB)

### 5/5 — Great app for early engagement

*2020-02-12, version 5.5.0*

This app has an excellent range of activities and settings that allow it to be configured for lots of different users. The animations and sounds vary between soft/gentle and more stimulating and noisy. It is also switch accessible so users who cant manage direct touch can still control the actions.

### 1/5 — No vibration, refund!

*2019-03-24, version 5.0.0*

No vibration refund

### 3/5 — Love this but does allow guided access now

*2016-10-20, version 4.2*

I love this app it's great for the patients that I work with who are autistic and have various disabilities. It really works on the patient's ability to understand cause-and-effect and a variety and calming way. However, since the most recent iOS update it will no longer let me lock them into the app,  by using guided access on the iPad, and then allow them to use it. This is a feature that I really need to have because I use it as a reward and if I can't lock the man to make it hit the home button and get out of the app.

### 5/5 — Good therapy tool

*2015-11-19, version 4.0.1*

I am a speech therapist working with many clients with multiple delays and disorders. The sensory Light Box is one of the few apps that I can guarantee my clients of all ages will engage with. I use it as a reward, to build rapport, for requesting, vocabulary and other therapy activities. Many of my clients families have requested the name of this app so they could have it to use at home.

### 5/5 — Perfect for someone with Autism.

*2015-06-02, version 3.0.2*

(I posted a very similar review on Sound Box as I find them equally amazing).

When I got my first ever iPad two years ago, I downloaded this immediately.

I have autism and suffer with very severe sensory issues. I find this app very relaxing, calming and fun to use. I like to turn off all of my lights in my room and play with the app. 

It is brilliant and it is worth the cost. I am so grateful this app exists and I hope they make more because I'll be the first there to buy it!

 It has a variety of different options. My favourite is Nebula, Plasma and Rain. The imagery is very nice to look at and very pleasant. You can choose the background colour easily but I prefer to keep it black.

The sound doesn't hurt my ears which is something I find weird as it does include quite high pitched noises but I believe I don't find these noises upsetting because I can control when they play or not.

Thank you Cognable for such a great app. It's really made my life that little bit easier as it helps me calm down during stressful times during the day. I really hope you make more.

### 5/5 — Brilliant

*2014-05-01, version 2.3*

Worth all the money. It is brilliant for stress and anxiety relief and calming anger. A wonderful and relaxing app.

### 5/5 — Great

*2014-04-19, version 2.2*

This app is brilliant, money well spent, there are loads of similar apps on the market but nothing as good as this. My son is on the Autistic spectrum and he loves it he spends hours on it.

## Frequently asked questions about Sensory Light Box

### What does the Sensory Light Box app do?

The app uses abstract animations and sounds to introduce basic touch skills and awareness. It encourages exploration through 30 different scenes, ranging from calm to energetic, and provides visual and auditory feedback.

### Who is the Sensory Light Box app designed for?

While originally made for teenagers with autism and complex needs, it's popular with parents of babies and young toddlers. The sounds and graphics are appropriate for any age group, including those with low vision or who are over-stressed.

### How much does the Sensory Light Box app cost?

Based on the provided information, the app is a one-time purchase and is not free. There are no mentions of subscriptions or ads, indicating a straightforward paid model.

### Can the Sensory Light Box app be used with assistive technology?

Yes, the app offers automatic (touch-free) play that enables switch control for basic cause and effect. Instructions for setting up Bluetooth switches or keyboards can be found via the developer's website link.

### What are some common use cases for the Sensory Light Box app?

It's used for teaching cause and effect, targeting, and visual attention. It can serve as a 'chill out' app for stressed individuals, a calming tool for children with autism, or an engaging activity for young children learning about touch.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 5.5.0 — 2019-07-22

Updates for iOS 12 and newer devices

### 5.0.0 — 2018-03-22

iOS 11 support, additional scenes, more display options.

### 4.2 — 2016-04-13

Fix Legacy Switch Behaviour

### 4.1 — 2016-03-31

iOS 9 updates. Performance improvements for newer devices

### 4.0.2 — 2015-12-11

Fixed soft keyboard behaviour with legacy switch support

## Apps similar to Sensory Light Box

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| [CViConnect Pro](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cviconnect-pro/id1440339295) | 5.0 (5) | Free | Education |
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## More apps by Cognable

- [Sensory Sound Box](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sensory-sound-box/id548622567)
- [Switch Box Invaders](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/switch-box-invaders/id590004243)
- [Macbeth Witches](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/macbeth-witches/id959408793)

All apps by Cognable: https://appshunter.io/developer/507195968

## Related topics

[cause and effect](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/cause-and-effect) · [sensory light box](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/sensory-light-box) · [sensory playbox](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/sensory-playbox) · [lightbox extra](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/lightbox-extra)

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-17.*