Handwriting and fine motors skills can be difficult for many children with autism. iWriteWords is a superbly designed iPad app that helps children learn to recognize and write letters and numbers. Best of all, it does so in a manner that prevents bad handwriting habits from forming while simultaneously engaging the child’s attention. iWriteWords may also help your autistic child improve fine motors skills, learn to count, and improve recognition of cause and effect.
Name of iPad App:
iWriteWords by gdiplus
Price:
$2.99
Overview of iPad App:
iWriteWords Menu
This is a wonderfully designed iPad app to help children learn to recognize and write numbers, letters, and words. The app was designed in a way to grab the attention of the user. It is also designed to ensure that the child learns to write numbers and letters in the correct manner.
There are several options to choose from on the main menu. The app user has 8 options:
- The settings page (which refers the user to the general iPad settings page where adjustments to the app can be made).
- An information page.
- A music note icon which takes the user to the ABC song page. Here a screen tap advances the ABC song to the next note.
- An icon to take the user to the numbers portion of the iPad app.
- An icon to take the user to the capital letters portion of the app. This option focuses on single letters.
- An icon which goes to the capital letters portion of the app which focuses on spelling words.
- An icon which advances the user to the lowercase portion of the iPad app which focuses on single letters.
- An icon that takes the iPad user to the lowercase portion of the app which focuses on spelling words.
Each writing option features a crab which the child must touch and drag over ordered numbers. Dragging the crab in the assigned order ensures that the user writes the number or letter in the correct manner. When the number or letter has been completed there is a correlating block that is released from the top left corner of the screen. Once the number, letter, or word is complete the user must either drag the block letter or number over to a hole on the bottom right portion of the screen. The user can also tilt the iPad to accomplish this task. Once the blocks have been placed in the hole the user action is reinforced with a “yay or clapping” sound (this option can be turned off).
A voice also repeats each letter or number once it has been correctly written. This helps the child correctly associate its name to each letter or number.
If the letter or number is not written correctly it will shake while a squeaky toy sound is heard. The user must then attempt to write the letter or number again. The writing template confines the handwriting area to a reasonable width ensuring that the user does not have to write the letters or numbers perfectly. This allows for differences in writing styles while still teaching children the correct manner or order to write. This feature, combined with the requirement to drag the crab in the correct order makes this iPad app stand out from its competitors. Many other apps that focus on handwriting do not ensure that the letters or numbers are written correctly. This may create problems when the child enters school and has to relearn how to write letters and numbers. iWriteWords is designed to ensure that this does not happen.
Video Demo of iWriteWords iPad App:
Settings:
- Easy Mode: On or Off
- Reset Game: On or Off
- Save Progress: On or Off
- Yay and Clapping Sound: On or Off
- Dynamic Hole Location: On or Off
- Hole Suction Force: On or Off
- ABC Song in Playback: On or Off
- Child Voice: On or Off
- UK Voice: On or Off
Settings are located in the main settings page on the iPad, not within the iWriteWords iPad app.
iPad App Designed to:
Letter "A" Screenshot from iWriteWords iPad App
- Help children learn letters and numbers
- Help children develop handwriting skills
- Help children learn to spell
May Help Children with Autism:
- Learn lower and uppercase letters
- Learn numbers
- Learn to spell
- Develop handwriting skills
- Develop fine motor skills
- Learn cause and effect
- Learn counting skills
Awards and Recognitions:
- Best App for Preschoolers (2009 Best App Ever Awards)
- Apple Staff Favorite
- One of the Best iPad Apps for Kids According to the New York Times
*Note: iWriteWords screenshots are copyrighted and are used with the permission of their owner.
Additional Resources for iWriteWords:
- Developer Website for iWriteWords iPad App
- YouTube Video Demonstrating iWriteWords
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This app is wonderful!! The i pad is one of the few things that catches and keeps my son’s attention. He is 5 non-verbal, autistic and LOVES this app. We have seen progress over the last couple months at first he could not complete any rounded letters just the ones with lines. Now he can do both!! He loves putting the letters in the holes at the end, it works like a reward system. The sounds and praise are also very motivating for him. My son’s teachers and therapists love it too. Great job on this one!!!
Thanks for your comment, Lisa! iWriteWords is definitely one of the best designed iPad apps we have come across that promotes good handwriting skills. Most kids that use this app will likely use it time and time again. It does a fantastic job engaging the user and reinforcing the correct manner to write each letter and number.