Visual Routine

Review, Appy Chat & Giveaway

Developer: Proteon Software/Pufferfish Apps

Review:

Visual Routine is an inexpensive simple-to-use visual scheduling app. I really love the feature that allows you to embed up to four items within a step.   I have used this to offer choices, for example you can put on this outfit or that one, or I could see it being helpful for showing several tasks within a step.  Currently the choices are displayed, and you can tap on each one to enlarge them.

Suggestions:
The check off button to show that step is completed is only displayed in the lower left hand corner of the first choice in a step, perhaps an update could allow each “substep” to have its own checkmark box as well.  I also wouldn’t mind having a simple cropping feature added.

What I Liked:
The ability to add text-only steps. For a child who is literate and does not need the picture support, this is a feature I appreciate as it is a timesaver.  Overall, this is a good inexpensive option for creating on the go schedules.   An app with a nice clean interface that is simple to set up and, most importantly simple to use.

Appy Chat:

When did you decide to develop this app?
My mom bought an app to use but at the time it didn’t have an iPad version or have the ability to add choices. That seemed easy enough, so I decided to make an app that did that.

When did you first release this app?
I was fifteen and a half, and I’m seventeen now, so a year and a half ago.

How long did it take you to develop this app?
It took the first version 6 or 7 months because there was a mix-up with a contractor, and it ended up not being nearly as good as I had hoped for.

What is your favourite feature?
The choices! It’s not all it’s meant to be yet, but it’s still great to know a child can, say, choose what they want for breakfast easily(:

What is your favourite page in the app?
The home screen on the iPad, or the edit screen on the iPhone.

What skills were you hoping to help the end user to develop? 
This app isn’t so much for developing skills as it is for helping an autistic child get through their day without any confusion or frustration upsets – to help with their day to day communication.

What age range would this app most suit?
Any age range, providing the person using the app is nonverbal or has a tough time communicating.

Are any new updates coming soon?
I’m working on the graphics for a new version right now, you can watch the graphics develop on Behance.com if you’re interested! Once programming begins, I’ll start announcing progress on the facebook page. http://be.net/wip/89491/182267

Description:

★Consonantlyspeaking.com: “Visual Routine by Pufferfish Software is an easy-to-use, visual schedule creator/viewer that can be used with children with special needs.”
★iTeach: Apps for the Classroom: “Visual Routine is great for home and school… It encourages independence for the user.”
★ (bit.ly/XAPV8p) Spectronicsinoz.com: “It is fairly intuitive to get started with this app.”
★ (http://bit.ly/OWiPlE) iPad Apps for Autism: “encourages you to use individualised pictures for your student.”
★ Visual Routine is on iHeartThisApp.com! (http://bit.ly/MS6NmH)

Optimized for iPhone 5!

•Visual Routine is a simple, easy to program visual schedule that helps your autistic or special needs child keep a routine.
•Routines can be tailored to their needs with audio feedback, and customizable pictures, audio, and text.
•Instead of carrying around pecs or a laminated schedule, this app will let you have routines preset and then run them to show the child in an easy way what they have to do.

*FEATURES:*

✔ Check Mark: check mark system for completed steps, with audio feedback
✔ Length: Routines can be as long as needed
✔ Customization: Full customization routine creator – customize text, images, choices, and audio within each routine. Create text only, picture only, or audio only choices, or any mix!
✔ Non-Readers: Picture only option for non-readers (with written Routine title)
✔ Storage: Permanent storage of many routines on your device
✔ Readers: Text only option for readers (with Monkey image for each written step or task)
✔ Choices: “Choices” feature for tasks in a routine step. Up to 4 choices can be embedded within each routine item, enabling someone to pick between options. (i.e. eggs, pancakes, or cereal for breakfast.)
✔ Setup: Fast and easy setup right from the main screen
✔ Audio: “The auditory feedback when a step in the routine is checked off is great as well.” In addition to optional feedback when completing a step, you can customize audio for each step in a routine.

•This app serves as a visualization tool for routines, providing portability, audio support, and excellent easy to understand graphics. By using this app special needs individuals and children will be able to understand what needs to be done easier then with PECS or simple description.

•Customization: A big emphasis in this app; every autistic and special needs child requires specific and centered care, and the ability to create your own routines with pictures of your child and house settings in them places the emphasis on your child. Take pictures of them doing things in their environment, and they will understand the routine better then a generic, preset choice. The images can be set by you, the user, as well as audio.

Specifications:

Category: Communication
Updated: 17 January 2013
Version:  2.0.2
Language:  English
Requirements:  Compatible with iPhone, iPod touch and iPad. Requires iOS 4.3 or later. This app is optimized for iPhone 5.

Links:

Website: Proteon Software/Pufferfish Apps
Facebook Page: Pufferfish Software
Twitter: @PufferfishSoft
Pinterest: Pufferfish Software
App:
Visual Routine – iPhone version
Visual Routine – iPad version
Cost: $3.99

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Giveaway:

We have a Rafflecopter giveaway until March 27, 2013