Product Review of Auditory Workout
This app was developed with the help of speech and language pathologists for kids between the ages of 4 and 10, especially for those with conditions that manifest as difficulty in processing auditory stimuli. The program aims to improve memory, attention span, and comprehension of voice commands. The game mimics real-life situations. Students are rewarded with games of catch and/or basketball when they accumulate enough balls.
What Users Love About the App
“I love that this application works on multiple goals and you can use it with multiple clients at a time with data collection. Sometimes, with all that it features, it can get a bit overwhelming. That can be a blessing or a curse depending on how much time you spend prior to a session setting it up. I always spend a lot of time researching and trialing an application prior to using it with a client, so it gets easier the more you use it. What I love about this application is that it works on following different types of directions and gets progressively more difficult by adding additional concepts. In addition, you can add background noise. One thing I really like that changed from the last version is that there are now two different reward games that a user can play! I would probably play either game with older or younger students. There are also more settings, but I still am not sure why there is an option to enable/disable audio since this is an auditory-specific application.”
“I absolutely love this app. It works for so many of my auditory comprehension and auditory processing students! The 4 groups provide up to 12 level activities in each area and more than one student can work on the app during the same session. This app has the ability to add background noise with a sliding volume lever! Each prompt requires the student to wait to respond until the complete prompt is given which helps with impulsive students. It is very motivating to see my students enjoy the basketball reward offered at short intervals. I am so happy with this app that I often recommend it to my co-workers.”
“As an SLP, I keep a folder containing Language Processing apps and this is one of my ‘Go–To’ app for both younger students (one step direction with location concepts) and even upper elementary autistic students. I use it to teach retrieval strategies, (i.e., self-repeat key elements in direction, chunking, and so forth). I like the fact that ‘before/after’ concepts are placed in different parts of the directions. I definitely recommend this to SLPs.”
“I have used this app for a year and a half. I have had the opportunity to use it with language students, as well as the autistic and very special needs populations. I have found it to be great with both groups; the app really holds their attention and they love to see how they performed. I would recommend it to any speech pathologist. It’s a must have!”
“This app is really fun for my students. They are enjoying an activity that can sometimes be frustrating and/or boring. My kids are motivated and really enjoy playing the games.”
What Users Dislike About the App
“I LOVE using this app. I loves how it breaks down the skills so you can target only one concept at a time. I only wish there was an option to randomize the directions when targeting multiple levels. Also, I wish it had 2 and 3 step directions for the levels or that it said in each description how many steps there were. I’d also like to see more crisp, primary colors used. One student pressed, what I thought was correct, the “blue” bike. It turns out that bike wasn’t blue in the eyes of the app. I’m guessing it was “green.” This was confusing for both me and my student.”
“As a Speech Pathologist working with school age children, I find this app very useful. However, I need better descriptions of each level in the report section. Most of my students make errors based on the language used in the directions. Therefore, I would like to have the vocabulary targeted at each level described in the report section along with their percentage correct. For example, tell me if the level is teaching before/after or above/below/next to. I love the app, but it could be even better. Thank you for your consideration!”
“I wish I had the ability to limit the selection to 2 or 3 items. Many of the students I work with are visually impaired and/or/ have fine motor impairments. 5 choices are just too many. Often, when they make an inaccurate selection it’s due their physical limitations rather than lack of comprehension of the concept. 2 or 3 larger and actual pictures would better serve my students. So, for future upgrades, please keep this in mind. Otherwise, I like this app. Especially because I can individualize it but still use it with groups. Thank you!”
