9 Best Autism Apps For Your Phone

App Name	Best For	Key Features	AC Rating	Pricing
Life7	Overall Mental Wellness and Sensory Support	Binaural beats, calming soundscapes, breathing exercises, CBT therapy	4.8/5	Free trial, subscription plans available
Proloquo2Go	Non-Verbal Communication	27,000+ symbols, natural voices, Crescendo vocabulary system	4.7/5	One-time purchase
Otsimo	Special Education and Learning	ABA-based games, AAC module, progress tracking	4.6/5	Freemium with subscription
MITA	Language Therapy and Cognitive Development	FDA breakthrough designation, adaptive learning, 70+ games	4.7/5	Free
Choiceworks	Visual Schedules and Routines	Schedule boards, feelings board, waiting timer	4.5/5	One-time purchase
Smiling Mind	Mindfulness and Emotional Regulation	Age-specific programs, guided meditations, mental fitness tools	4.6/5	Free
Social Express II	Social Skills Training	Video modeling, interactive lessons, tiered difficulty levels	4.4/5	Subscription based
First Then Visual Schedule HD	Daily Activity Planning	Custom visual schedules, video and audio support, printable PDFs	4.5/5	One-time purchase
Autism Parenting Magazine	Parent Support and Education	Articles, community forums, expert advice	4.3/5	Subscription based

#1. Life7 – Best for Overall Mental Wellness and Sensory Support

Life7 is an all-in-one mental wellness app that I believe stands out as the top choice for autism support. It offers a complete toolkit for calming the nervous system and managing sensory needs.

The app features an impressive range of therapeutic sounds. You get green noise, white noise, brown noise, and pink noise options. It also includes brain wave music like delta, theta, alpha, beta, and gamma waves. The binaural beats and solfeggio frequencies (432 Hz, 528 Hz) are perfect for deep relaxation.

What makes Life7 special is its Backdrop Mode. This lets you mix different soundscapes together. You can combine meditation with nature sounds or sleep stories. The app has content for both kids and adults.

Key Features:

• SOS sessions designed to calm anxiety and panic attacks quickly
• Vagus nerve stimulation exercises that help restore inner balance and reduce sensory overload
• Gamified approach where users earn XP and unlock premium content through completing sessions

What I like: I really appreciate how Life7 covers so many bases. The breathing exercises are fantastic for calming meltdowns. The sleep stories work well for bedtime routines. I also love the daily check-ins and mood tracking. The streak system keeps users motivated. With over 1200 editorial mentions and 312 million meditation minutes tracked, this app has proven results.

What I don’t like: The free content is somewhat limited. You need a subscription to unlock everything. However, they do offer a 7-day free trial and frequent special offers.

Pricing: 7-day free trial available. Weekly, monthly, and yearly subscription plans offered.

Platforms: iOS and Android

#2. Proloquo2Go – Best for Non-Verbal Communication

Proloquo2Go is widely considered the gold standard in AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) apps. It helps people who cannot speak or need help being understood.

The app uses over 27,000 symbols to help users communicate. It features natural sounding voices, including real children’s voices. The Crescendo vocabulary system is research-based and helps users grow from single words to full sentences.

Parents, therapists, and teachers around the world trust this app. It works for people with autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and other speech difficulties.

Key Features:

• 23 pre-programmed button layouts that support different motor and visual abilities
• Core words stay in consistent locations to help with motor planning and learning
• Supports bilingual use and lets you switch languages mid-sentence

What I like: The customization options are incredible. You can add your own photos and change settings to match any user’s needs. The progressive language feature reveals new words step by step. This prevents overwhelming users while still encouraging growth.

What I don’t like: The price point is steep for many families. It also only works on Apple devices, which limits who can use it.

Pricing: Premium one-time purchase

Platforms: iOS only (iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch)

#3. Otsimo – Best for Special Education and Learning

Otsimo is an award-winning educational app built for children with autism, Down syndrome, ADHD, and other special needs. It has won Mom’s Choice Awards and was selected for HundrED’s Global Collection.

The app uses Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) principles. This is one of the most trusted therapy techniques for autism. Games cover vocabulary, numbers, emotions, colors, music, and more.

Parents, psychologists, and special education teachers helped create the app. It adapts to each child’s learning pace through machine learning technology.

Key Features:

• Learning path that adjusts automatically based on your child’s progress and success rates
• AAC module with 1700+ words for children who need communication support
• Strict no-ads policy that keeps kids focused without distractions

What I like: I appreciate that Otsimo offers eight core games free. The difficulty adjusts automatically so kids stay challenged but not frustrated. The daily report cards help parents track progress without guessing.

What I don’t like: The app has so many activities that navigation can feel overwhelming at first. The premium subscription cost is on the higher side for long-term use.

Pricing: Free version available. Premium subscription with monthly, yearly, or lifetime options.

Platforms: iOS and Android

#4. MITA – Best for Language Therapy and Cognitive Development

MITA stands for Mental Imagery Therapy for Autism. It is the first language therapy app with clinical data backing it up. The FDA granted it breakthrough device designation.

A 3-year study of over 6,400 children showed amazing results. Kids who used MITA showed 2.2 times greater language improvement than those who did not use it. This difference was statistically significant.

The app uses bright, interactive puzzles. These help children learn to mentally combine different features of objects. This skill leads to improvements in language, attention, and visual abilities.

Key Features:

• Exercises designed to last 10 years, with activities that grow with your child
• Available in 12 languages including English, Spanish, French, Arabic, and Chinese
• Based on Pivotal Response Treatment, one of the best-supported autism therapies

What I like: The fact that MITA is completely free blows me away. The research behind it is solid and published in peer-reviewed journals. I love how it targets “tunnel vision” and helps kids notice multiple details at once. This skill transfers to real-world situations.

What I don’t like: The app is primarily for younger children. Older kids or teens might find the puzzles too basic. It also works best with daily use, which requires parent commitment.

Pricing: Free

Platforms: iOS and Android

#5. Choiceworks – Best for Visual Schedules and Routines

Choiceworks helps children complete daily routines and understand their feelings. Visual schedules reduce anxiety by showing what comes next.

The app includes three main boards. The Schedule Board breaks tasks into steps with an “all done” column. The Waiting Board teaches patience with timers. The Feelings Board helps kids identify emotions and coping strategies.

Hospitals and child development specialists helped create this app. It has been used in homes, schools, and clinics worldwide for over 10 years.

Key Features:

• Image library with 180+ pictures and professional audio recordings
• Ability to add your own photos and record your own voice for personalization
• Unlimited profiles to manage multiple children or different routines

What I like: I appreciate the simplicity of this app. Parents can customize schedules in minutes. The ability to attach videos to tasks is fantastic for modeling behaviors like brushing teeth. The timer feature really helps with transitions.

What I don’t like: The app only works on Apple devices. Some users report battery drain when running the app continuously throughout the day.

Pricing: One-time purchase with no subscriptions required

Platforms: iOS only

#6. Smiling Mind – Best for Mindfulness and Emotional Regulation

Smiling Mind is a free mindfulness app from an Australian not-for-profit organization. It has been helping families build mental fitness for over 12 years.

The app offers programs for different ages. Content ranges from sessions for young children all the way through adulthood. Sessions run from 2 to 10 minutes.

The Mental Fitness Model focuses on five skill sets. These include living mindfully, flexible thinking, growing connections, acting purposefully, and recharging your body.

Key Features:

• Age-specific content collections designed for kids ages 5 to 12 and up through adult levels
• Routine builder with reminders to help establish consistent mindfulness habits
• Fitness tracker showing which skills you have practiced and how often

What I like: The app is 100% free, which is rare for quality mental health tools. I love that sessions are short enough to fit into busy schedules. The Australian voices are calming and clear. The app never pushes donations or subscriptions.

What I don’t like: Some users find the new interface harder to navigate than the old version. The app is not specifically designed for autism, so some content may need parent guidance.

Pricing: Free

Platforms: iOS and Android

#7. Social Express II – Best for Social Skills Training

The Social Express II uses animated videos to teach social and emotional skills. The characters look like Pixar or Disney movies, making lessons engaging.

The app covers topics like reading body language, understanding social cues, and solving everyday problems. Lessons are aligned with common core education standards.

Three difficulty levels let teachers and parents match content to each child’s ability. Level 1 covers basic skills while Level 3 tackles more complex situations.

Key Features:

• Video modeling with create-your-own-adventure scenarios for practicing decisions
• Printable ebooks of each lesson for offline practice and reinforcement
• Teacher tips and progress tracking built into every lesson

What I like: The production quality is impressive. Kids actually want to watch the videos because they feel like entertainment. I appreciate how the interactive elements let kids explore different choices and see consequences play out.

What I don’t like: The subscription price is high for individual families. The app works best with teacher or therapist guidance rather than independent use.

Pricing: Subscription required after free trial

Platforms: iOS and web browser (Chrome or Firefox)

#8. First Then Visual Schedule HD – Best for Daily Activity Planning

First Then Visual Schedule HD helps create visual supports for daily routines. It works great for “first, then” boards, task analyses, and social stories.

The app allows complete customization. You can add your own photos, use internet images, or choose from stock pictures. Video and audio can be attached to any item.

Parents can print schedules as PDFs for backup. This is helpful when devices are not available or for sharing with teachers.

Key Features:

• Drag-and-drop interface for quick schedule creation and editing
• Video modeling support that lets you record demonstrations of each task
• “Finished” animation that provides positive reinforcement when tasks are completed

What I like: The flexibility of this app stands out. You can create simple two-step boards or complex full-day schedules. The ability to add video helps children who learn better by watching rather than reading.

What I don’t like: The initial setup takes time to get right. The app interface looks dated compared to newer apps.

Pricing: One-time purchase

Platforms: iOS and Android

#9. Autism Parenting Magazine – Best for Parent Support and Education

Autism Parenting Magazine is more than a magazine. It is a community for over 65,000 families raising children with autism.

The app provides practical articles and videos for daily challenges. Topics cover everything from sleep issues to school advocacy. Discussion forums let parents connect with others who understand.

The community aspect helps parents feel less alone. Experts share advice through the app regularly.

Key Features:

• Searchable library of articles covering common autism parenting challenges
• Community forums for connecting with other autism families worldwide
• Regular updates with new content and expert advice

What I like: Having a trusted source of information in one app is valuable. I appreciate the real-world solutions from parents who have been through similar situations. The positive community is supportive without judgment.

What I don’t like: The app provides information but not much hands-on guidance. It works better as a supplement to other therapy apps rather than a standalone tool.

Pricing: Subscription based with some free content

Platforms: iOS and Android

What are the best free autism apps?

Several excellent autism apps are completely free. MITA tops the free list with clinical research backing its effectiveness. Smiling Mind offers hundreds of mindfulness sessions at no cost. Otsimo provides eight core games and AAC features free without ads.

Free apps work well for families just starting their app journey. They let you test different approaches before investing money. However, premium apps often provide more comprehensive features and better support.

Always check reviews and try free versions before purchasing. What works for one child may not work for another.

Do autism apps really help children?

Yes, autism apps can make a real difference when used properly. Apps like MITA have peer-reviewed research showing significant language improvements. Visual schedule apps like Choiceworks help reduce anxiety and meltdowns during transitions.

The key is choosing apps that match your child’s specific needs. Communication apps help non-verbal children express themselves. Sensory apps like Life7 help with emotional regulation. Educational apps build academic and life skills.

Apps work best as supplements to therapy, not replacements. Using apps alongside professional guidance produces the best outcomes.

How do I choose the right autism app for my child?

Start by identifying your child’s biggest challenge. Is it communication, sensory regulation, social skills, or daily routines? Match the app category to that need.

Consider your child’s age and ability level. Some apps like MITA work best for younger children. Others like Social Express target older kids and teens.

Read reviews from other autism parents. Try free versions when available. Watch your child’s engagement level. The best app is one your child actually wants to use.

Finally, consult with your child’s therapists or teachers. They can recommend apps that align with current therapy goals and techniques being used in other settings.