Sometimes a company will come up with a marketing phrase that hits pay dirt. Someone in a board room or back room somewhere has a moment of genius that combines words in such a way that our American culture will grab onto it, and the phrase earns its place in history. It becomes part of our every day language.

If you don’t remember “Where’s the beef?”, don’t tell me I’m old. How about, “Can you hear me now?” And, recently, folks have grabbed onto “There’s an app for that!”

Did you know there’s an app [computer application] for autism? Actually, there are hundreds of apps for autism, and author/speech therapist Lois Jean Brady, M.A., CCC-SLP has spent three years researching apps that benefit folks with autism and compiled her findings in Apps for Autism, a fantastic guide.

Here’s what I love about Apps for Autism:

• Lois tells you how to get started, assuming you are a complete beginner. If you’ve never held an iPhone, iPad, or iPod in your hand, it’s ok!
• Lois explains why Apple’s technology has become so useful to the autism community. The foreword by Samuel Sennott, co-creator of Proloquo2Go, and the introduction are compelling reads. How often can you say that about a book?
• The book is divided into categories so you can quickly find apps to meet your needs. Does your child need to strengthen auditory skills? Hit that section. Want to encourage creativity? There’s a section for that! There’s also a handy index.
• Each app listed has an information page telling you the name, creator, price, information from the developer, and reviews. Lois also adds notes at the bottom of things she thinks you need to know–like if the app doesn’t have audio, or she wishes it had more phrases.
• Lois sprinkles success stories throughout her book–stories that, though brief, are very powerful. Be warned, you may need a tissue! You will cheer for these kids as they order a meal by themselves for the first time, and you will see what is possible for your child.

Apps for Autism is both practical and powerful. Folks who work with special needs kids, whether or not on the autism spectrum, and parents can benefit greatly from the information Lois has gathered. It’s going to help a lot of families.

To learn more about Apps for Autism, you can visit its home on the web at Future Horizons. You can use my affiliate code HATS to receive 15%off, no minimum order. That puts the cost of Apps for Autism just over $25. If you’re in the continental US, you also get free shipping with that code! Discount does not apply to Temple Grandin conferences as they are already discounted.