In the age of smartphone technology, it’s critical to use our devices not just for communication but also to help us organize our lives, manage our schedules, and keep track of important information and routines. For autistic young adults, these tools can significantly enhance executive function skills, leading to more productive and independent lives.
Working Memory
In today’s world, having instant access to information is crucial. Remembering personal information like social security numbers, multiple logins, passwords, and other vital details is essential for daily navigation. Here are two great apps that can help supplement working memory:
Google Drive
Google Drive allows you to store important documents (non-sensitive information), schoolwork, pictures, spreadsheets, presentations, and other working documents in one place. Accessible from both your phone and any computer, it ensures you’re always ready to work. Plus, all files save automatically, so you don’t have to worry about losing your progress.
Keeper: Password Manager
Keeper is a secure, encrypted app where you can store all your logins and sensitive information. It holds website sign-ins, custom fields like college ID numbers, and uploads sensitive documents like birth certificates and tax records. This is an excellent way to keep all necessary documentation in one place and avoid losing important information.
Goal-Directed Persistence
Maintaining healthy routines can be challenging for everyone. Whether you want to drink more water or stop biting your nails, these apps can help track your progress and establish healthy habits.
Done: Habit Tracker
Done is a customizable habit tracker that allows you to monitor any habit you want to start, stop, or change. You can track your accomplishments with a simple click and reflect on your success rate over time. The app also lets you set reminders for specific days and times.
Habitica: Gamified Taskmanager
Habitica is an innovative task management app that transforms your to-do lists, daily routines, and habits into a fun and interactive game. By completing tasks, users earn experience points (XP), gold, and other rewards to level up their character and unlock new features. The app incorporates role-playing game (RPG) elements, allowing users to join parties, take on quests, and even battle monsters by staying productive and achieving their goals.
Sustained Attention
Maintaining focus in today’s world, with its quick videos and fast-paced content, can be very challenging. These apps can help you build your focus and complete tasks requiring undivided attention.
Forest
Forest helps you stay focused by planting virtual trees. When you start a focus session, a tree begins to grow. The longer you leave your phone unattended, the more trees grow, creating a virtual forest. You earn points for focus sessions, which can be used to plant real trees around the world. the world.
Flipd- Focus and Study Timer
Flipd allows you to set and track weekly focus goals. You can categorize your focus time, track sleep hours, and use focus audio files like nature sounds or zen music. Over time, you can monitor how your focus trends throughout the day and during specific tasks.
Time Management
Good time management skills are crucial in our fast-paced world. These apps help you set up routines and reminders, reducing the anxiety of daily tasks.
Google Calendar
If you have Gmail, you already have Google Calendar, an excellent tool for scheduling daily appointments and reminders. You can set alerts for upcoming events and create recurring reminders. It’s simple to use and helps you reflect on past activities.
OurHome
OurHome helps you manage household tasks. You can click on tasks (no typing required) to generate a list you can check off. Set up recurring tasks, due dates, and reminders to stay on top of daily chores.
Tiimo
Tiimo is an advanced app that “turns to-dos into doable plans with visual timelines, AI task breakdown, and executive function support. Built with principles of accessibility and inclusion, it gives people of all neurotypes the flexibility to plan their own way.”
Planning and Prioritizing
Managing personal tasks like shopping, medication refills, and daily routines can be overwhelming. These apps help you organize and remember all necessary items and tasks.
MediSafe
MediSafe helps you keep track of medication schedules and pharmacy refills. Set up medication routines and receive alerts to take your meds and refill prescriptions. You can also add people to get alerts if a medication isn’t taken, allowing caregivers to monitor while giving individuals freedom.
AnyList
AnyList is a simple, highly visual app that helps users organize grocery shopping, recipes, and meal planning all in one place, reducing overwhelm and improving daily routines. With shared lists, smart categorization, and the ability to turn recipes into shopping lists instantly, it’s especially helpful for building independence, planning skills, and executive functioning in a structured, real-world context.
Emotional Control and Metacognition
Mental health is vital for a productive life. These apps support personal awareness of feelings and thoughts and offer tips on managing stress and maintaining a healthy routine.
Youper
Youper tracks daily emotions and their causes, helping you understand your thought process. It offers mini anxiety and depression check-ins to monitor your mood over time and identify patterns in your emotions, providing insight into managing anxiety and other feelings.
Headspace
Headspace offers guided meditation, deep breathing exercises, and techniques for managing anxiety, stress, and anger. It helps establish good sleep routines and teaches simple tools for use in any situation.
These apps can be highly beneficial in various ways. However, everyone is different, and not every app will work for everyone. Explore these applications and others to find the best support for your executive function skill development.
Are you looking for a post-secondary program for your young adult with autism and/or learning differences? Check out our Shopping for a PostSecondary Transition Program Checklist Guide here!
