Cause and Effect Factory version 3
Look and Listen version 3
Match It version 3
Scan and Paint # 302
Developed by Judy Lynn Software, Inc.
Website: http://www.judylynn.com

Reviewed by Carol Magliocco, Ph.D., PT, AT Team Leader at EASTCONN cmagliocco@eastconn.org
Heidi Zabilansky MSEd, and Chris Lee, MSEd, Special Education Teachers at E.O. Smith High School, Mansfield, CT and the students in their classrooms

It is always great to be able to find software that can be used by your students who have varying access needs and ability levels. All four of the programs reviewed provide a choice of accessibility options, including single switch with scanning, keyboard and mouse selections. Additionally, the programe provide adjustability in the speed of the activities, amount of auditory feedback, and options as to background music and sounds.

Scan and Paint # 302 offers over 60 pictures for students to color organized by categories. There are also instructions for adding your own pictures.  Additionally, the website includes downloads to change the narration to a foreign language.  Program options include access by timed scanning, step scanning with 1 0r 2 switches and mouse selection as well as adjustment of the animation speed.  Between 2 and 10 paint tubes appear on the right hand side of the screen and a pointer, which moves automatically after a section is completed, designates the area to be painted.   The website notes that the program is designed for a cognitive age of 1 year and up; however the reviewers found that older, more capable students enjoyed being able to produce and print their own art work. Scan and Paint was a favorite for a student with Down's syndrome who is traditionally difficult to motivate. She especially enjoyed the background music, which tended to be familiar tunes. The feedback after completing a picture really made this particular student very proud of herself. 

System Requirements:
233 Mhz or faster
32 mg RAM
130 mg hard disk space
Windows 95 or later
Sound card
VGA monitor or better
Price $39.00

Look and Listen version 3 utilizes a switch-hit, space bar depression or mouse click to initiate movement of an object across the screen with lively music playing in the background. There are over 100 graphic objects, most familiar to students such as household items and foods, and 35 songs. Additionally, you can add your own graphics and sounds and re-record the prompts so the student hears a familiar voice. The visual cue with auditory cueing after an adjustable no response interval to activate the appropriate access method provides frequent opportunities to practice cause and effect while the animation of the objects promotes visual tracking skills. Students of varying skill levels and using different access methods all enjoyed the lively nature of this program. The students in the class enjoyed the lively background music and the graphics.  One student who had to be coaxed into trying the program, chose to stay and continued and was seen "moving to the music" while watching the animations. When asked what he thought of that program, he replied, "Amazing!"

System Requirements:
133 MHz or faster
150 mg hard disk space
Windows 95 or later
At least 16-bit color monitoring setting
Price $39.00

Cause and Effect Factory version 3 offers cause and effect training with an assembly line theme appropriate for the older student, though no prior knowledge is necessary for the activity. Speed of the animations is adjustable and you can choose to have sound effects turned on or off. Various students tried and persisted with this activity but the background music in the 2 programs reviewed above, not available in this program, seemed to add to their enjoyment and time happily spent on the task.

System Requirements:
486 DX 75 or better
8 mg RAM
5 mg hard disk space
Windows 95 or 3.1
Sound card
VGA Monitor or better
Price $39.00

Match It program 601 is a 3D simulated matching program with over 20 different activities. Each matching activity presents 3 objects to be matched, which move across the screen one at a time, at an adjustable rate of speed.  When the object is above its match, the student utilizes the switch, keyboard or mouse to select the object, which moves down over its match with a voice noting it is correct. If the student selects the wrong object, it moves down to demonstrate that it is not a match then moves up and continues moving back and forth across the screen. The reviewers would have preferred the movement to be only in a left to right direction rather than back and forth.   The program offered good color contrast of background to object and optional narration of the object names, making it accessible for students with visual difficulties. The students were permitted to make an indefinite number of incorrect choices and there was no ability to adjust this feature. There was reinforcing music when all three objects in the set were properly matched.  

System Requirements:
133 Mx Pentium or faster
16 Mg RAM
50 Mg hard disk space
Windows 95/98, ME, 2000
16-bit monitor display
Price $39.00