Tech Review: Forest App

Forest is a time management app which uses the pomodoro technique to encourage focus and attending to tasks. The app has the user ‘plant’ a tree which grows over a set time. If the device is used during that time interval, the tree withers.

Tech Review: Autentik AI

Our specialist in accessible technology checks out Autentik AI in the Spring 2025 edition of our Star magazine.

Assistive Technology Review: CalmPalm

The CalmPalm device is a self-soothing and self-regulatory tool designed to help individuals who experience anxiety and related insomnia. The CalmPalm uses micro electro stimulation pulses to trigger acupuncture points associated with calming the ‘fight or flight’ response.

Assistive Technology Review – Skull Candy Headphones

Skullcandy’s Hesh ANC Noise Cancelling Wireless Headphones are advertised as providing quality audio with an exceptional noise cancelling experience at a significantly lower cost than other similar products on the market.

Tech Review: Loop Earplugs

Loop Earplugs are advertised sound-filtering earplugs which allow the user to experience sound without background noises, as well as reducing the overall decibel level.

Tech Review: reMarkable 2 vs. Bamboo Slate

Learning to write is an important literacy milestone, but in an increasingly digital world learning to write means learning to type. Writing and typing share a number of the same base skills: letter identification, spelling, grammar and syntax; but for individuals with developmental disabilities, the method is just as important as the message.

Cubetto

Product: Cubetto Producer: Primo Toys Compatibility: N/A Cost: Around $300 for Cubetto Classic Product summary: Cubetto is a wooden robot designed to teach the basics of computer programming. Cubetto is marketed as a teaching tool for classrooms and homeschooling with target audience of children aged 3 to 9. The start-up Cubetto Classic package includes Cubetto, …

Floreo VR

Product: Floreo Producer: Floreo Inc. Compatibility: iOS Cost: Starting at $50 CDN/month Product summary: Floreo is a learning app that uses virtual reality (VR) as a method to teach social and communication skills to individuals, primarily youth, on the autism spectrum. It is designed as a supplementary tool for families, therapy practices, and educators, and …

Dream Pad

Product: Dreampad Producer: DreamPad Compatibility: iOS/Android Cost: $149.00 USD Product summary: Dreampad is a high-tech pillow advertised as a sleep aid and sensory solution. Embedded within the pillow is a Bluetooth-enabled intrasound speaker that transmits vibrational sound once paired with the accompanying iOS/Android app. The pillow was designed to allow the user to hear and …