TOOLS & RESOURCES | APPS, PRODUCTS, AND MATERIAL RESOURCES

Below is a guide to tools and resources for neurodivergent children, teens, and adults.  It includes apps, products, materials, and assistive technology for communication, sensory regulation, executive functioning, learning, literacy, writing, math, social connection, daily living, and accessibility.

The best tool is not necessarily the most expensive or “high-tech” one—it is the one the person chooses, can use consistently, and that improves access, independence, participation, comfort, or communication.  Assistive technology includes any item, device, software, or system that increases, maintains, or improves functional capabilities.understood+1

Before Buying

1. Start with a functional goal — Define the actual barrier: communicating a need, transitioning calmly, finishing homework, reading instructions, managing time, writing, sleeping, or participating in community life.

2. Ask the user first — The neurodivergent person’s preferences, sensory profile, communication style, privacy needs, and goals should guide selection.

3. Try before purchasing — Use free versions, trials, school/device-lending programs, library technology, or clinician-guided trials before committing to costly equipment.

4. Avoid “cure” claims — Be cautious of products that promise to cure autism, ADHD, dyslexia, sensory differences, anxiety, or other neurodevelopmental conditions.

5. Prioritize safety and dignity — Avoid tools that restrain, punish, shame, force eye contact, suppress harmless stimming, or limit a person’s communication or movement.

6. Use professional input when needed — an SLP, OT, teacher of students with visual impairments, behavior/mental health professional, psychologist, or assistive technology specialist can help match tools to individual needs.

7. Request an assistive technology evaluation — Students receiving special education may need a formal assessment to determine which tools, training, services, and environmental supports are required for meaningful access.

Communication and AAC

AAC includes no-tech options such as gestures, sign, pointing, pictures, and writing; low-tech tools such as paper communication boards; and high-tech systems including tablet apps and speech-generating devices.asha+2

8. Communication boards — Printed boards with core words, personalized vocabulary, photos, letters, or topic-specific language.

9. Core-word boards — Boards that feature high-frequency words such as go, stop, want, help, more, different, and not for flexible communication across activities.

10. Choice boards — Visual or written choices for food, activities, clothing, sensory tools, breaks, pain, feelings, or communication partners.

11. First–then boards — Clear visual structure showing what happens now and what happens next.

12. Visual schedules — Picture, word, object, checklist, or app-based schedules that make routines and transitions more predictable.

13. Social narratives — Brief, respectful visual or written explanations that prepare a person for a new event, routine, expectation, sensory experience, or self-advocacy choice.

14. Proloquo2Go — Symbol-based AAC app with customizable vocabulary and natural-sounding voices for people who need support being understood. towson.libguides

15. TD Snap / Snap Core First — AAC system with symbol-based and text-based options; clinicians may obtain access for evaluation through company programs.aaccommunity

16. TouchChat — Customizable AAC app with multiple page-set options and trial/evaluation pathways.aaccommunity

17. LAMP Words for Life — AAC app based on motor planning and consistent word locations; typically trialed with SLP guidance and training.aaccommunity 

18. Grid for iPad / Grid Player — AAC tools that support personalized symbol- or text-based communication; Grid Player can speak user-created messages aloud.towson .libguides

19. CoughDrop — Cloud-based AAC app with customizable boards and short-term trial options.aaccommunity

20. Avaz AAC — Symbol-based AAC app with trial availability, often considered for multilingual and early communicators.aaccommunity

21. GoTalk NOW Lite — Free or low-cost option for creating simple, personalized communication boards with images, recorded audio, and video.aaccommunity

22. SoundingBoard — Pre-made and customizable communication boards for iOS devices.aaccommunity

23. Speech Assistant AAC — Text-to-speech app that can support people with unclear speech or acquired/developmental communication needs.towson .libguides

24. Text-based AAC — Notes apps, texting, typed chat, tablet keyboards, and text-to-speech tools can be effective for literate communicators.

25. AAC keyguard — Physical overlay that helps users accurately select buttons on a communication device.

26. Portable laminator and binder — Useful for creating durable low-tech schedules, communication boards, social narratives, and visual supports.

Sensory and Emotional Regulation

27. Noise-reducing headphones or ear defenders — Help reduce the intensity of sound in busy environments; test fit, pressure, heat, and sound quality.

28. Noise-canceling headphones or earbuds — May support concentration, travel, sensory recovery, and remote work; consider safety needs and environmental awareness.

29. Loop-style earplugs — Reusable sound-filtering earplugs that reduce noise while permitting some conversation and environmental sound.

30. Sunglasses, visors, or tinted lenses — May reduce glare, fluorescent-light discomfort, and visual fatigue; consult an eye-care provider for persistent vision symptoms.

31. Weighted lap pad or weighted blanket — Some people find deep pressure calming; choose a safe weight, preserve the ability to remove it independently, and avoid using it during sleep for infants or people unable to move it safely.

32. Compression garments — Compression shirts, vests, socks, or body wraps may feel regulating to some people; preference and comfort should determine use.

33. Fidget tools — such as Tangles, putty, textured rings, stress balls, silent fidgets, or doodle pads — can support attention and self-regulation without disrupting others.

34. Chewelry or oral-motor tools — Chewable jewelry, pencil toppers, or chewy tubes may meet oral sensory needs; select durable, age-appropriate items and supervise if there is choking risk.

35. Calm-down kit — Personalized pouch or box containing headphones, fidgets, a communication card, water, gum, preferred music, a visual strategy card, sunglasses, or a comfort item.

36. Movement tools — Resistance bands, wobble cushions, foot fidgets, rocking chairs, yoga balls used safely, walking pads, or standing desks can support movement needs.

37. Inflatable seat cushion — Provides subtle movement input while seated; Understood identifies these cushions, standing desks, balance-ball chairs, and slanted cushions as possible focus supports.understood 

38. Visual emotion tools — Emotion wheels, body maps, rating scales, color-coded regulation charts, and coping-choice cards.

39. Zones of Regulation materials — Color-coded tools and visuals that help learners name their level of alertness/emotion and select personally helpful strategies.

40. Timer with visual countdown — Makes time concrete and supports transitions, waiting, work periods, breaks, and stopping preferred activities.  Timers can reduce the uncertainty associated with task changes.understood 

41. Breathing and grounding apps — Apps such as Breathwrk, Insight Timer, Smiling Mind, or Calm may help some users practice paced breathing or mindfulness; they are supports, not replacements for mental-health care.

Executive Functioning and Organization

42. Visual schedule apps — Tiimo, Choiceworks, and Routinely can support predictable routines, task sequences, transitions, and independence.

43. Tiimo — Visual planner designed for neurodivergent users, with routines, timers, reminders, task lists, and calendar features.

44. Choiceworks — Visual-support app for schedules, waiting, feelings, and routine-based behavior supports.

45. Google Calendar — Shared calendars, recurring reminders, color coding, location alerts, and notifications can externalize time-management demands.themindbydesign

46. Microsoft To Do — Free cross-platform task manager with reminders, shared lists, recurring tasks, and step-by-step checklists.themindbydesign 

47. Todoist — Task-management platform with due dates, labels, priorities, recurring reminders, and project breakdowns.themindbydesign

48. Notion — Flexible workspace for dashboards, lists, templates, notes, project planning, habit tracking, and shared planning; best for users who enjoy customization.

49. Goblin Tools — AI-supported task breakdown, time estimation, tone checking, and planning tools; review outputs for accuracy and use privacy judgment.

50. Time Timer — Visual countdown timer that shows time passing through a colored disc.

51. Analog clock with color segments — Low-tech visual support for seeing elapsed time, routines, and “how long until” events.

52. Whiteboard or dry-erase calendar — Visible family or classroom planning tool for appointments, routines, goals, chores, and deadlines.

53. Checklists and task cards — Break multistep routines into small, observable actions, such as packing a backpack, showering, starting homework, or preparing a meal.

54. Body doubling — Work alongside a trusted person in person or virtually to support task initiation, attention, and completion.

55. OneNote or Notability — Digital note-taking tools that organize notes by subject, enable searches, and may allow audio recording.themindbydesign 

Reading, Writing, and Math

56. Text-to-speech — Reads digital text aloud, reducing decoding load and supporting comprehension, revision, and independent access to reading.

57. Speech-to-text / dictation — Converts speech into written text, reducing barriers to handwriting and typing; users still benefit from planning and editing support.

58. Immersive Reader — Microsoft accessibility feature with text-to-speech, spacing, syllable support, line focus, translation, and reading preferences.

59. Read&Write for Google Chrome — Literacy-support extension with text-to-speech, word prediction, speech-to-text, highlighting, vocabulary supports, and screen masking.

60. Learning Ally — Audiobook and human-read text service for eligible students with print disabilities, including qualifying dyslexia or visual impairment.

61. Bookshare — Accessible e-book library for eligible people with print disabilities, providing text-to-speech and adjustable-format books.

62. C-Pen Reader — Scan-and-read device that can support independent access to printed text; trial it first to assess accuracy and school/testing policies.

63. Reading guides and line trackers — Low-tech strips, windows, colored overlays, or digital line-focus tools that assist visual tracking and attention.understood

64. Graphic organizers — Paper or digital maps that help plan paragraphs, essays, stories, projects, problem solving, and note-taking.understood

65. Co: Writer — Word prediction, topic vocabulary, speech recognition, and writing supports for spelling and composition.

66. Google Docs Voice Typing / Microsoft Dictate — Widely available dictation tools for drafting and note-taking.

67. Grammarly or language-support tools — Can help older students and adults review mechanics and clarity; follow school, workplace, testing, and privacy policies.

68. ModMath — Digital graph-paper workspace supporting math organization for users who struggle with handwriting or visual alignment.

69. Desmos — Free graphing and scientific calculators with visual tools for algebra, graphing, and advanced math.

70. Math Learning Center Apps — Free visual math apps, including Number Pieces, Number Frames, Geoboard, Fraction Pieces, and Money Pieces.

Daily Living and Independence

71. Pill organizers and medication-reminder apps — examples include Medisafe and MyTherapy — use alarms, refill alerts, and caregiver sharing only with informed consent.

72. Visual recipe cards — Step-by-step photo or icon recipes for simple meals, snacks, grocery planning, and kitchen safety.

73. Adaptive kitchen tools — Easy-grip utensils, rocker knives, jar openers, non-slip mats, measuring cups with visual markings, and safety cutlery.

74. Adaptive clothing — Tagless garments, seamless socks, soft fabrics, elastic waistbands, magnetic closures, and footwear without traditional laces.

75. Shoe alternatives — Elastic laces, toggle laces, magnetic closures, and slip-on shoes can reduce fine-motor and dressing barriers.

76. Smart-home supports— such as voice assistants, smart plugs, smart lights, visual doorbells, automated routines, and reminder systems — may increase independence and safety.

77. Tile or AirTag-type item trackers — Can help locate keys, backpacks, wallets, communication devices, or other frequently misplaced items; consider privacy and consent.

78. Transportation tools — Google Maps, transit apps, rideshare safety settings, visual route cards, and travel-training checklists.

79. Budgeting apps — YNAB, Monarch Money, Goodbudget, or simple spreadsheet templates can support spending awareness, bill routines, and savings goals.

80. Emergency-information card — Wallet card or phone note with communication preferences, medication/allergy information, sensory needs, emergency contacts, and helpful de-escalation supports.

Social, Work, and Self-Advocacy

81. Social scripts — Personalized written or visual phrases for greeting, asking for clarification, entering a conversation, declining an invitation, requesting a break, or addressing conflict.

82. Conversation cue cards — Reminders such as “Ask a question,” “Pause,” “Check interest,” “Say what you mean,” or “Ask for clarification.”

83. Role-play and video modeling — Short videos or guided practice for job interviews, ordering food, email etiquette, workplace routines, safety, and social problem solving.

84. Job interview practice tools — Big Interview, CareerOneStop resources, mock interviews, recorded practice, and individualized feedback.

85. Job Accommodation Network (JAN) — Free guidance on workplace accommodations, disability disclosure, employment rights, and disability-inclusive practices.

86. Noise-reducing workplace tools — Headphones, seating away from traffic, room dividers, written agendas, captions, and access to quiet breaks.

87. Meeting and communication tools — Written agendas, shared notes, captions, chat features, recordings when permitted, and advance copies of questions or materials.

88. Self-advocacy card — Brief card or digital note stating preferences, such as “Please give me written instructions,” “I need processing time,” or “I communicate best by typing.”

89. Identity-affirming books and media — Books, podcasts, and autistic/neurodivergent-created media that support self-understanding, acceptance, disability culture, and community connection.

90. Peer-led communities — Autistic-led, ADHD-led, learning-disability, stuttering, AAC, and disability-rights groups that provide community, self-advocacy skills, and practical shared knowledge.

Finding and Funding Technology

91. Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA) — National resource organization offering guidance, professional learning, research, and information on assistive technology.atia+1

92. ATIA Resource Library — Collection of research, guidance, government-program information, communities, and technology resources.atia

93. State Assistive Technology Act Programs — Every state and territory operates a federally funded AT program that can provide information, demonstrations, device loans, reuse/recycling options, and funding guidance.

94. Texas Technology Access Program (TTAP) — Texas’s statewide AT program, offering device loans, demonstration centers, equipment reuse/recycling, funding information, training, and technical assistance.ttap.disabilitystudies.utexas+1

95. TTAP short-term device loans — Texans can request many devices from the loan library for up to 35 days to try equipment in everyday environments before purchasing.tsbvi+1

96. TTAP demonstration centers — Texans can visit a demonstration site to explore technology options and receive hands-on information about devices.disabilitystudies.utexas

97. TTAP reuse and recycling programs — Potential source for refurbished or reused equipment and information about lower-cost technology options.ttap.disabilitystudies.utexas+1

98. School-based assistive-technology services — An IEP team can consider AT devices and services—including training for the student, family, and staff—when necessary for a student to access special education and related services.

99. Insurance and Medicaid inquiries — For medically necessary durable equipment or speech-generating devices, ask the prescribing clinician, SLP, OT, insurer, Medicaid plan, or state program about documentation and funding requirements.

100. Texas AT funding information — TTAP and the Texas State Library’s assistive technology funding guide can help families identify device loans, reuse options, and potential funding pathways.tsl.texas+1

A Sensible Starting Kit

For a child or adult just beginning to explore supports, start small: a visual timer, a few favorite fidgets, a noise-reduction option, a visual or written checklist, phone-based reminders, a low-tech communication board or notes app, and one literacy or writing tool.  Understood notes that simple tools such as organizers, timers, larger-spaced worksheets, graphic organizers, and audio supports can be meaningful forms of assistive technology.understood+1

For AAC, do not select a system by popularity alone.  An AAC evaluation with a qualified SLP should consider the person’s motor access, vision, hearing, literacy, language, culture, preferred communication methods, environments, partners, and goals; then trial more than one option whenever possible.