Autism Speech Sequencing Zapps vs Autism Learning Tools

Sequencing is the first fun step to narrative speech, something most Autistic children struggle with. This App grew out of Zarrar’s wonderful Special Ed. Autism Kindergarten classroom curriculum, where he was cutting and pasting the sequences onto paper. For my son, I wanted to make it colorful, fun and full of audio and visual feedback to help him and then other children in his classroom learn sequencing, and take turtle steps towards speech and communication. Zarrar’s teacher Ms. Anna Straus tested this App in her Special Ed. Kindergarten class. And she gave important feedback to improve this App. Play is powerful. ZApps Sequencing game play teaches a child narrative speech through: 1. How the world works 2. Storytelling: How one thing leads to another - first, second, third and so on. How to tell a simple story, that later will help them tell their daily story, narrate and successfully communicate how they feel that day or that moment. Repetition of sequences builds a child’s brain connections: 1. Logical next connections: this leads to narrative speech. 2. Time concepts--- first, second, third, fourth, last 3. Teaches logic. 4. Teaches recollection. 5. Improves memory. 6. Focuses on cognitive visually immersive tasks that will build the synaptic connections in the brain. For children on the Spectrum, Autistic, speech delayed, impacted by Asperger’s or verbally challenged, making connections can be difficult. Attention deficit and sensory overload can make focusing difficult. Here immersive colorful images entice challenged children to play and play will help to strengthen synaptic connections and increase speech and communication. Ms. Anna Straus’s feedback after testing this educational App in her Autism Classroom has been invaluable. For Visual learners, Ms. Anna suggested: 1. Red and Green rectangles light up and give visual signals to the child if the sequence is correct or not. 2. There is a green pause arrow at the end of each completed sequence, giving the child a chance to recap and verbalize the story. The teacher or parent can then also help the child by pronouncing the words slowly, articulating difficult sounds. Unique Educational Features: 1. Sequencing has built in scoring. This is based on the Boston University CARE Center’s Applications for Language Enhancement Study (AppLES.) 2. It lets the parent or teacher evaluate the progress of the child. 3. It records the progress of a child. Speech sequencing ZApps is colorful, visually immersive, audio feedback and learning rich, full of Zarrar’s voice prompting and speaking out the images. With this App a child can succeed in sequencing, then makes connections about logic, about a story: first, second, third, then fourth. This can be developed early on with emphasis on Speech Sequencing exercises that improve the brain’s story telling abilities of simple natural events, such as an egg to chicken, larvae to lady bug, and hopefully be a turtle step to narrating their day: breakfast cereals, to lunch, playground happenings or to school bus home. Zarrar is the CTO – Chief Testing Officer – of this product, and Autistic. It is his voice encouraging challenged children to take turtle steps on the pathway to Speech, so critical to an independent life. Zapps Autism Apps are tiny steps, small helping hands to zap a tiny facet of the debilitating features of Autism. By zapping a tiny issue, improving speech, Zapps Zarrar and I hope will empower Autistic children; provide a pathway to Speech, critical to an independent and happy life. We have also developed ZOTTZ, Z Occupational Therapy Toolz to develop fine motor skill in challenged children. Please support Assistive Technology for Autism, for our home, from our hearts, to yours. This is a first step, and Zarrar and I hope one of many to come. http://www.zottz.com http://www.zubair.com

LizzyB Learning Tools is an educational and developmental game/tool for all children. It is designed specifically for children on the autism spectrum but is also useful for neurotypical toddlers. Children can work on matching, short-term memory, number and letter recognition, fine motor skills and more and have fun while doing it! This app especially targets skill development for children with autism and developmental delays. Using easy to understand instructions and eye-catching animation children move through tasks commonly practiced in therapy sessions. Reports are provided for the parent to monitor progress and maintain records. Want to show developmental activities as part of your home school records? No problem! LizzyB Learning Tools records the amount of time spent in each activity and you can export it for your records. This is a great tool for young children and children with special needs to be able to use independently (or with minimal assistance). Levels 1. Drag & Drop: Start by moving characters into the shape they fit into. As you develop your skills they’ll progress to fruits and vegetables, and eventually letters and numbers with fun characters mixed in! Words are printed alongside the matching shapes to aid in word recognition. 2. Maze: Move our fun characters through mazes that get bigger and more complex as you progress. Develop your hand eye and fine motor coordination as you play. 3. Memory Cards: Match numbers, shapes, fun characters, and more! The levels become more challenging as you go! Both memory and visual skills can be strengthened in these levels. 4. Balloons: Follow the instructions and choose only the balloon indicated. We get to practice colors, numbers, and letters while balloons and birds fly in an engaging and exciting popping adventure! This is a great way to practice attention and instruction following in a colorful manor that’s full of movement! Watch out! The birds may pop the balloons if you don’t get to them first! 5-1. Tracing Numbers: Learn your numbers! Trace (with stroke guidance) your numbers, count the animals, and watch them leap into our fun train! This is the foundation of the number and math skills we will strengthen with more fun to come! 5-2 Tracing Letters: Now it’s time to work on your letters! Just like before, you get to trace! Trace uppercase and lowercase letters and touch the pictures that start with the level and watch them fly over to the train cars. Want to increase the difficulty? Use a stylus and work on your pencil grip! 6 Where’s The Questions & Answers: 10 levels with 4 different kinds of question sets. First learn Colors and shapes. Then Numbers 1-10 (or advanced 11-20 option). The remaining two sets are mixed and include learning letters and things (animals, household items and food). 7-1 Simon Colors & Numbers: Six sets of the the classic Simon game but teaching colors and numbers. It also contains advance levels with two Simon games on the screen at once. 7-2 The final four sets include 20 Rotating Number Puzzles, an Alphabet Puzzle and finally a geography puzzle. 8. Spoken Question & Answers ("Where's the...") levels covering Colors & Shapes, numbers, letters (lower & upper), Animals, Household things, Fruit & Veggies. A total of 8 lessons x10 levels each. About Us While home with the family during these crazy times we searched for something positive and constructive to do with the children. The thought was, “why not turn this into a family project opportunity?” The LizzieB Learning Software family project was born. This app was designed for her and children like her to provide an educational platform that develops skills, keeps their attention, and is fun too! During development we also discovered how much her neurotypical siblings and cousins enjoyed the app and benefited from developmentally positive and engaging games. So feel free to try it out on siblings and toddlers.