Over the years in school, I have discovered that not only do showers and the sound of running bath tubs help me to relax and think, but also helps me to understand difficult textbooks and articles. Unfortunately, I cannot stay in the bathroom all day with the tap running, so I've turned to some alternatives.
Now, when I'm at my computer, I tend to go to the Niagara Falls Webcam from the Hilton Fallsview Hotel. It provides quite soothing rushing water sounds that also act as a good sound barrier for other sensory issues.
However, when I'm away from my computer, I need to rely on Apps to provide me with anxiety reducing sounds. So I took a look at quite a few. Instead of doing independent posts for all of them, I'm putting together the ones I found worked the best, mainly that they did not stop when my iPod went idle.
eSleep lite
eSleep lite is perhaps my favourite. Developed by Vanke Software, the lite version is free on Apple devices. Tracks can be customized with multiple music and sounds. A timer and alarm can be set. Recordings can be made, and it doesn't shut off when in idle. Unfortunately, it does not work in the background.
SleepMaker
Sleepmaker has a number of apps, most focusing on specific sound tracks. The one I like and tested was the storm app. It includes various 45 min tracks of different storms and rain sounds. While it has no timer, it does work in idle and in the background, so I could multitask on my iPod.
Relax Waterfall is a freebie part of the paid app Napuru, which includes the other sounds and tracks not included in this one. From what I can tell, the only difference in the apps is the collection of tracks. The free version is pretty good as it is, with a single track of a waterfall. It also has an alarm, and works in the background and in idle.
SleepStream Classic Lite
I tried the SleepStream Classic Lite, although now Explosive Apps has more versions out for 99¢ to 8.99$. The Classic Lite version is still free though. It has a selection of tracks, such as birdsong, rain, and ocean waves. The player is very simple and easy to use, and plays in idle and in the background. So it's a very decent player.
Personally, I think that the tricky part with relaxation tracks is finding the right one that works for you. So what would work for me might not work for other autistics. However, I feel that these four apps are the best choices currently available.
I remember back in 2003, when I was first setting out to university, it was suggested that I get both a laptop and a palm pilot. Remember Palm Pilots? I vaguely do. From what I remember, I was to use one as a digital calender/schedule book to keep me on track. Given the recent developments in technology, I'm not sure whether they're even still made nowadays.
PalmPilot
I was suppose to use a laptop as a glorified typewriter, to take class notes and write essays on. I wasn't too keen on that, given how bulky, heavy and expensive laptops were (and still kinda are). My parents and I found a compromise, getting me a Dana from AlphaSmart.
AlphaSmart Dana, now known as NEO
Basically it was a PalmPilot with a full keyboard and a big enough memory that I could type up research, pieces of essays, and some class notes with ease. It would sync with a computer and transfer a document into, well, any open window. I had a note taker in class, so I mainly used my Dana for research. I'd go into the library, find passages of information I needed, then copy it down with references. It was light-weight enough that I could take it to school regularly in my backpack. Unfortunately, the battery passed on some time ago.
Now, my needs have changed over the years, as I've gone from being on campus all the time, to being on campus occasionally. I need something less like a Dana, and more like a laptop, without being as bulky and heavy (cause yes, they are still that) as one. I need something that I can take to my intensive sessions, whether for two weeks or a weekend, that has the assistive technology of my full computer and iPod, but can do notes and be portable.
People have suggested I get an iPad. To be honest, I've thought about it, for over a year now. At IMFAR, I got to see iPads in action. For the past year, I've browsed through iPad apps and sighed as I wishlisted them. Every chance I got, I'd test out the display models in stores. And in long last, I have decided that I should get an iPad.
It's light and portable. It has full keyboard and word processing capabilities. It has apps, for functioning, stress relief and communication, plus testing apps for the Autistic Adult App Project. It'll be used for school and education purposes only.
The only issue is money. I'm a low-income student, with a part-time job and two courses. I could maybe afford the apps that I need for on the iPad, but I can't afford the iPad itself. So, I've started up a ChipIn. I'll be grateful for whatever people donate. Every little bit helps!
I found out about this app in the most interesting way. Basically, I happen to know the programmer/developer who made this, being a long-time friend of a mutual friend, and follow both of them on Tumblr.
The Miracle Modus
Seebs is an autistic programmer who made the Miracle Modus as a way to migrate sensory overload and stress. It provides rhythmic rainbow shapes and bell sounds in a variety of patterns that can be soothing.
While even Seebs admits that not all autistic people will benefit from the app, especially when the patterns are subtle and the sounds not right, there have been quite a few reports and reviews that say it has been very helpful.
I tried it myself, because I find spiralling patterns and sounds to be calming. Sometimes I found a lack of control with the settings. While I could turn off certain modes, there is no way (at this time; Seebs is continuing to work on it and does appreciate feedback) to flip between modes in a controlled manner.
Overall, I felt myself relaxed while watching, listening and playing with it, and highly suggest it for people who like and find moving shapes and bell sounds relaxing.
I have to admit, I have been using the full version of Shopping List for about a year. I really like it because it's fairly easy to use. I can sort items in my list into categories like fruits and vegetables, meat, canned food, household items and so on. I can also put in the price of an item and it calculates the total cost with tax, even if I want more than one of an item.
It also saves items, so when I'm adding items to a current list, I can quickly select the items I need to buy. There is also an option to sync with an account, but I haven't tested that function yet because I find the app useful even without.
There are some differences between the free and full versions. The free version is limited to a single list and the catergories that come with the app. It also doesn't have all of the functions with calculating prices.
With the full version, I can create my own catergories and can have multiple lists. This is useful for me because sometimes having everything on one list is confusing and overwhelming for me. Also, I can keep track of my budget for specific lists.
For example, I am in charge of buying cleaning supplies for my house hold. By keeping a separate list, I can keep track of what I'm spending with my own money and what I'm spending with the house hold money.
As an adult Autistic, I found the Shopping List app to be useful for spending and budget keeping, as well as remembering what I need to buy. I recommend it for other Autistic adults for the same purposes to support their independence.
Since the software is originally for teleprompting, this is an example of technology created for one purpose being used in a similar way as assistive technology.
i-Prompt works for both iPad and iPod Touch. I think that it can be used both by parents, teachers and caregivers to prompt those developing independence with the next steps of a task as well as by more independent individuals to remember steps in a task. This means that it can be useful for people who have a hard time remembering instructions, and to overcome stressful and confusing situations when something unexpected happens.
To test it out, I wrote my own prompt script, and tried out some of the features. It can be set up to scroll through the script at a set pace, but can be paused and manually scrolled through via touch screen. The font can also be adjusted to different sizes, font type, and the colours. I found it very easy to use. The only downside that I can find is that it's text-based and so requires the ability to read and follow written instructions. Which means that it's a good in-step tool for independence, but is not appropriate for those who need images.
