The Personal Stories Behind Awesome Apps for Kids With Special Needs

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My son Leo the iPad enthusiast has benefitted greatly from apps developed for kids with special needs -- they provide novel ways for him to communicate, play independently, and entertain himself. I am constantly impressed by how intuitively designed these apps are, how perceptive of Leo's needs, how they bring out his talents and encourage his learning through innovative design and interfaces.

As a former software producer, I wanted to know more about the stories behind the apps, so I contacted Lorraine Akemann of app developer hub MomsWithApps. Lorraine told me that many of Leo's favorite apps were created by parents who wanted an app to properly support their own child's special needs. Several of the MomsWithApps developers agreed to allow me to share their stories here -- so while this is a longer post, I hope you agree that their stories are inspiring, and worth your eyeball time.

Martin Brooks from MiasApps.com, developer of the iComm and iSpy Phonics apps.

I named my business after my daughter Mia, who has been my inspiration.

Mia is severely disabled and cannot speak or have any independence for herself. When she was little it became clear that, despite her initial diagnosis, her disabilities hadn’t affected her intelligence as badly as first feared. So now there was a new issue: she had an able mind trapped in a disabled body that she couldn’t get to speak for her.

Traditional alternative speech systems were very bulky, impersonal, expensive -- and sometimes all three!! Around this time I got an iPhone for work, to help me pick up emails while on the go. I remember hearing the “apps for everything” slogan and thought, “Where is the app for Mia?” When I couldn’t find one I decided I would make the communication aid I wanted, to help Mia and other children like her.

I wanted to use the built in iPhone camera and microphone to help carers and parents create a personalized communication device for a low cost. The iComm app has a comprehensive free version with the option of upgrading to the full version if you want all the features. The app has had tremendous feedback from parents of other disabled children, and parents of pre-speech toddlers are also using it to help their children communicate before they have full speech -- easing their frustration and that of their parents.

Janine from Good Karma Apps, developer of First-Then Visual Schedule (iPod touch & iPhone).

My company started from the need to provide a future for my son and I don't mean financially, although that would be nice too. I know that for my son and many others like him, this platform offers an opportunity to make my world a little more accessible to his.

My company is my attempt to give tools to parents and caregivers to help ease the stress of our daily lives.  My business plan different than most, my market is a niche.  A niche that most of us didn't ask to be a part, but now we embrace the journey with as much grace as we can.

I am determined to produce the highest quality apps that I can and charge as little as I can. I know I have been told "You have the worst business plan in iTunes."  Ahhh ... but, that is where the mistake lies ... it is not a "business plan" to me it is a "life plan!"  My true payment comes from the letters from parents whose children respond to my app and whose day was a little easier. That is my payday. That is my "number one in iTunes."

As for the name "Good Karma Apps," it came from an inside joke. My son is very severely affect by autism and will never live an independent life. I, like most parents in this situation, fear for the day we die and our children live on without us. So, just like I prepare for my daughter's future by setting up a 529 account (a college savings account for those not in the US), I tell everyone I am banking my Karma for my son. I hope that I can do enough in my life to carry him on when I am gone. Idealistic, yes -- but, why not?

Kyle Tomson from the Mobile Education Store, developer of Question Builder,