CPAT vs Colourful Semantics Classic
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
CPAT
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CPAT is provided as part of the Teacher Training and Attention in Autism (TTAA) Erasmus+ funded project (https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/research/activity/psychology/ttaa/index.aspx) and is freely available. The app is designed for use by teachers and practitioners to help develop and promote basic attention skills in autistic children (as well as anyone who can benefit from improving attention skills). Attention is a fundamental cognitive capacity critical for human behaviour and especially related to academic performance and engagement in classroom settings. Therefore, improving attention skills can lead to substantial impact. The app is designed for teachers and practitioners (‘Users’) who are interested in helping students to develop their basic attention skills. The app includes a series of game-like activities that are designed to train different attention skills. The activities progress in difficulty as a function of the student’s individual performance. The app also includes customization tools to help the student engage with the activities. It is important to note that the app is not a Magic solution, and that training attention skills requires effort and commitment. It is strongly recommended that before users start using the CPAT app they take the freely available online course: Attention in autism, available here: https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/attention-and-autism). You can also see here for version of this course in different languages: https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/research/activity/psychology/ttaa/outputs.aspx. For previous uses of CPAT in research you can read in the following research publications: • Shalev, L., Tsal Y., & Mevorach C. (2007) Computerized progressive attentional training (CPAT) program: Effective direct intervention for children with ADHD. Child Neuropsychology, 13, 382-388. • Spaniol, M.M., Shalev, L., Kosyvaky, L. & Mevorach, C. (2018). Attention Training in Autism as a Potential Approach to Improving Academic Performance: A School-Based Pilot Study. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. 48(2), 592–610. • Spaniol, M. M., Mevorach, C., Shalev, L., Teixeira, M.C., Lowenthal, R., de Paula, C.S. (2021). Attention training in children with autism spectrum disorder improves academic performance: A double-blind pilot application of the computerized progressive attentional training program. Autism Research;1–8. https://doi.org/10.1002/aur.2566
Colourful Semantics Classic
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Unlock the Power of Sentence Building with Colourful Semantics Classic! Get ready to boost sentence-building skills through fun, interactive activities! Using vibrant images and symbols, you can create a variety of scenarios that make learning engaging and enjoyable. Designed by a certified Speech-Language Therapist, these dynamic resources are perfect for speech and language therapy, classroom use, or even at home. Help learners improve sentence structure with ease! What is Colourful Semantics? It’s a proven approach to help learners master sentence construction and develop stronger writing skills in a way that's both fun and effective. So Simple, So Fun! Dive right in—select an activity, and drag the right answers into place. Each activity is designed to be intuitive and entertaining, making learning feel like play. Tailored Just for You! Customise your experience by adjusting the TTS voice, choosing between American or British English, and modifying the activity length. You can even control which semantic elements appear, allowing you to tweak the difficulty level to fit your needs. Start building better sentences today with Colourful Semantics Classic—where learning meets fun!
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Verdict
The clearest difference is price: CPAT at Free against Colourful Semantics Classic's $8.99. CPAT also leads on device support (3 vs 1). On update cadence, ads, in-app purchases and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
CPAT is free to download; Colourful Semantics Classic costs $8.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
CPAT ships an update every 6 weeks, Colourful Semantics Classic every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 18, 2026 and October 14, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | CPAT | Colourful Semantics Classic |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free — better | $8.99 |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks — better | Every 2 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPad |
| Requires iOS | 14.0 — better | 15.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 452 MB | 260 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | University of Birmingham | Therapy Box Limited |
In-app purchases
CPAT
No in-app purchases
Colourful Semantics Classic
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is CPAT free?
Is Colourful Semantics Classic free?
Do CPAT or Colourful Semantics Classic have ads?
Which is updated more often, CPAT or Colourful Semantics Classic?
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