Like anyone else’s day-to-day life, autistic life has its challenges. A good deal of ours relate to social communication, sensory issues, and executive function fails. And luckily, those are exactly the sorts of things with which tech can provide great support. Autistics did, after all, invent most of it, right?
Recently I took to #AutisticTwitter to crowdsource this list of apps used by real-life people in their real lives. Each one is someone’s favourite. Hopefully there’s something here for you*.
Time & Task Management Apps
Hello Executive Function! How are you?! When you struggle with keeping track of time or completing tasks, apps can be enormously helpful in making the most of your day.
Sweepy
Gamify cleaning your home. Create chore lists, track progress, get notifications of what’s up next, share tasks, and more.
Free on the App Store Free on Google PlayAmazing Marvin
“Marvin incorporates principles from behavioral psychology to help you beat procrastination, feel in control and finish your to-do list.”
The desktop app is ridiculously customizable so you can make it work with the way your brain works, not the other way around. Give the adorable Marvin a try and take your time with it. You’ll be happy you did.
Try It FreeTiimo
Tiimo is a paid subscription app that helps you organize your life, stick to your routines, and work towards your personal goals in a original, visual way.
Subscribe on the App Store Subscribe on Google PlayClickUp
ClickUp is a wildly customizable freemium project management app. With calendar views, Kanban boards, a workload tracker, and more, the feature-rich free version is ample for managing most everyday lives.
Get even more features plus 30% off the Unlimited Plan or 15% off the Business Plan when you upgrade using this link!
Try It FreeGoogle Calendar
This popular tool is a robust calendar that integrates with your other Google services. Schedule what you want to do and get reminders when it’s time to get to it.
Free on the App Store Free on Google PlayKanbanFlow
Kanban is a Japanese system for tracking all the things you’d like to do and what needs to be worked on in a day. This simple app allows you to stay on task with color-coded “cards” combined with limits you set. Want to know how I use Kanban? Ask me on Twitter!
FreeMotivation Apps
Level Up Life
Level Up Life allows you to gamify your personal goals. Track your daily achievements and gain motivation while progressing in an RPG-style online platform.
Free on Google PlayGrocery & Meal-Delivery Apps
For days when you just can’t feed yourself well or to ensure you always have nutritious meals and snacks on hand (and if you have the means), try these apps.
Out of Milk
A little time spent adding your pantry and regularly purchased items pays off with this popular sharable, sync-able shopping list app.
Free on the App Store Free on Google PlayInstacart
Get access to everything your local grocery has in-store. Instacart’s local shoppers personally pick your order then bring it straight to you. Available in the U.S. and Canada.
Free on the App Store Free on Google PlayAmazon Fresh
Grocery delivery with Amazon Fresh and Amazon Prime Now. Large urban centres currently enjoy free 2-hour delivery from Whole Foods Market and local restaurants. App available on Amazon.com
Free on AmazonHello Fresh
Meal kit delivery service. “HelloFresh delivers weekly meal kits with delicious ingredients and recipes directly to your door.”
Free on the App Store Free on Google PlayGrubHub
One of many (many!) delivery apps that access most local restaurants in an area. Cooking for yourself is most healthy and economical but sometimes getting a meal on the table is what’s needed.
Free on the App Store Free on Google Play2nd Brain Apps
Because no one can keep all the plates spinning in the air at all times, make tech come to your rescue. These apps allow you to offload some of the thoughts that occupy valuable processing bandwidth and even remind you to check in. What’s not to love?
Google Keep
Allows you to do more than jot notes. You can set location- and time-based alerts that help you follow through, dictate reminders, snap photos, share lists, and more!
Free on Google Play Free on the App StoreEvernote
The granddaddy of note-taking apps. Dictate notes, doodle, and share it all.
Free on the App Store Free on Google PlayMedisafe
Set personalized reminders for each of your medications and get drug interaction warnings (US feature).
Free on Google Play Free on the App StoreCommunication Apps
QuickTalk AAC
This highly customizable app allows you to choose from 50 voices in 24 languages or record a voice of your choice.
(Listed as “Quick Type AAC” on Google Play.)
Buy on the App Store Buy on Google PlayMake It Big
A super simple app that makes the text you type HUGE and easy for someone else to read when you show them your phone.
Free on the App Store Free on Google PlayFlip Writer AAC
“Every word you type will be shown in the flipped display. Offers high-quality text-to-speech” in four different voices. Perfect for conversations IRL.
Buy on the App StoreProloquo2Go
Proloquo2Go is a free symbols-based app Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) app for iOS. Perfect for non-speaking people, those situation mutism moments, and when you need a communication break. AssistiveWare also offers Proloquo and Proloquo Coach as paid upgrades.
Free on the App StoreStandard messaging apps like WhatsApp allow you to communicate by text when other methods are not available. In a pinch, you can type and show your device to the person in front of you. Not super clever but effective when you need it.
Free on the App Store Free on Google PlayApps For Getting Around
Commuting and travelling can take all our mental resources, leaving little for when we arrive. Sure there are great map apps out there but apps like these take things up a very useful notch.
Transit
Your public-transit companion currently available in ten countries. Clear visuals not only allow you plan your trip but you can monitor upcoming arrivals and count down to when you need to exit your bus or subway car.
Free on the App Store Free on Google PlayWaze
We like to know what’s up ahead of time. “Always know what’s happening on the road with Waze. Even if you know the way, Waze tells you instantly about traffic, construction, police, crashes, & more. If traffic is bad on your route, Waze will change it to save you time.”
Free on the App Store Free on Google PlayHealth & Wellbeing Apps
Because when it comes to feeling good, strong, and balanced, who doesn’t need all the help we can get?
Daylio
A mood tracker and personal diary because neuroscience has proven that getting your thoughts out of your mental churning can be incredibly beneficial for every person at a every age. Track the highs and lows of every day so you can spot patterns that affect your moods. Brilliant!
Free on the App Store Free on Google PlayYouper
An AI assistant that helps you monitor and take control of your emotional health. We love robots and robots love us.
Free on the App Store Free on Google PlayFinch
“Finch is a self care pet app that helps you feel prepared and positive, one day at a time. Take care of your pet by taking care of yourself! Choose from a wide variety of self care exercises personalized for you.”
A cute, gamified way to build your self-care routine.
Free on the App Store Free on Google PlayClue
“Accurately predicts your period, helps you understand your symptoms, and can be used as a reliable ovulation app, menstrual calendar, fertility tracker, birth control pill reminder, and menstrual cycle tracker complete with your period history.”
Free on the App Store Free on Google PlayTampon Timer
“A simple alarm. To set up a reminder (tampon, pad, menstrual cup, pill), tap on the product you’d like a reminder for and select a time.”
Free on the App Store Free on Google PlayGratitude
A simple interface that lets you quickly jot note what you’re grateful for. Daily zen feature drops positivity into your day if you choose.
Free on the App Store Free on Google PlayMEDITATION & Sleep Apps
Whether learning to meditate for the first time or practicing our 10,000th hour, the Internet has the app for you.
Headspace
Learn how to calm the mind, train your focus, understand your anger and more with this app. A range of sleep stories and soundtracks are available by subscription.
Free on the App Store Free on Google PlayCalm
Daily meditations, music, video sessions and more to help you connect body to mind and improve your wellbeing overall.
Free on the App Store Free on Google PlayDistraction Apps
There are times when you need to get your head *out* of the game. Maybe you’re hyperfocusing when you need to rest. Maybe you’re wound up after a sensory assault in the city. Whatever the reason, turning to the app in your pocket can bring a sense of calm when you need it most.
These 100% non-productive apps could add the oasis in your day your mind craves. The trick is to choose something that’s engaging enough that your mind doesn’t wander but not so engrossing that you’re trading one hyperfocus for another.
Chromaldry
Promises to “Turn your photos into a coloring book.” Any photo you choose is transformed into a line drawing on which you “finger paint”. Messy, colouring outside the lines is encouraged.
Buy on the App StoreMindfulness Coloring
Coloring apps for adults is a collection of detailed illustration “books” ready for you to colour.
Buy on the App StoreBlendoku
“A puzzle game that will challenge your ability to distinguish and arrange colors. The game is based on color principles and exercises taught in art schools around the world.”
Free on the App Store Free on Google PlaySpecial Interest Apps
Any app that’s centred on a topic that you’re interested is a good way to quickly regulate your mood or reactions. Love adorable animals? There’s an app for that: Cute Animals — Aww! on iTunes. A fan of tracking weather? Yep, there’s an app for that too: Accuweather on Google Play.
Whatever interests you, find an app that will deliver it in abundance at your fingertips. Then, when you feel the pressure rising, destress with some happy time.
There are LOADS more out there in the wild. If you have a tremendously useful app that could change a life for the better, share it here in the comments or on Twitter, using the hashtag #AutLife!
Notes:
*Recommended apps are U.S.-based. Look for similar apps for your area