The Universal Sandpit
Craig Smith Education iPhoneiPadiPod touch
The Universal Sandpit is a paid Education app for iPhone and iPad by Craig Smith. Requires iOS 15.1. Updated May 12, 2026.
- Price
- 2.99 USD
- on the App Store
- Size
- 68 MB
- Age 4+
- Updated
- May 12
- 2026 · v1.2.0
Screenshots
About The Universal Sandpit
Teaching and learning look different for everyone. The Universal Sandpit is a collection of AI-powered tools built on neurodiversity-affirming principles, designed to support teachers and students in creating more inclusive classrooms. While these tools support all learners, there is a particular focus on autistic students, students with ADHD, and neurodivergent learners. For Teachers 13 practical tools to help you plan, reflect, and design for every learner: • Strengths & Interests — weave student passions into lessons • Lesson Companion — add inclusion and UDL supports to a lesson you already have • Bias Scanner — uncover hidden lesson assumptions • Reflective Lens — prompts for tricky teaching moments • UDL Lesson Planner — design using Universal Design for Learning • Differentiation Levels — create multi-level rubrics • Task Analysis — identify executive function demands • Step Cards — printable visual step-by-step scaffolds for the desk • Skill Chaining — build forward or backward learning sequences • Visual Supports — generate support ideas • Assignment Helper — structure tasks with steps and timing • Social Script — create first-person social scripts • New Day — turn a repeat pattern into a fresh, neurodiversity-affirming teaching plan For Students 6 tools to help you get started, stay on track, and understand yourself: • Floating Thoughts — break tasks into chunks • First Strings — gentle nudges when stuck • Student Multi-Tool — support for school tasks and social situations • Concept Explainer — clear explanations and examples • Spoon Theory Planner — plan your energy across the day • Pathway — move from how you feel to where you want to be Designed by Craig Smith, teacher and consultant in special education, accessibility, and technology.
What’s new
Version 1.2.0 · Updated May 12, 2026
Three new teacher tools for more inclusive classrooms: Step Cards — turn any lesson into a printable visual sequence students can tick off at their desk. Pick the number of steps, optionally add a child's name, and share as a print-ready PDF. New Day — describe a repeat pattern with a student and get a fresh, neurodiversity-affirming teaching plan: a calm framing, four short lenses (what it may be communicating, what's contributing, what to teach next, what to try in the moment), a shared staff approach, and an optional warm script you can read with the student. Lesson Companion — paste or upload a lesson you've been given, tick the inclusion lenses that matter for your class, and get a one-page guide of practical moves anchored to specific moments in the lesson. Everything saves as a PDF through the iOS share sheet — AirDrop, Save to Files, Mail, and more.
App privacy
The developer, Craig Smith, reported these privacy practices to Apple.
Data Not Collected
The developer does not collect any data from this app.
Alternatives to The Universal Sandpit
Looking for apps like The Universal Sandpit? Here are 6 similar apps on the App Store. The highest rated is Kokua Steps (5.0/5), and 5 of the 6 are free to download.
-
The Behaviour Club
-
Kokua Steps
5.0
-
Handwriting: Montessori
-
Sight Words Sentence Builder
4.3
-
Sherpa: Autism & ND Parenting
5.0
-
SLSL Dictionary
5.0
| App | Rating | Price | Last updated | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Universal Sandpit | – | 2.99 USD | May 12, 2026 | |
| The Behaviour Club | – | Free | Aug 8, 2025 | Compare |
| Kokua Steps | 5.0 / 5 (3) | Free | Nov 11, 2024 | Compare |
| Handwriting: Montessori | – | Free | Sep 11, 2026 | Compare |
| Sight Words Sentence Builder | 4.3 / 5 (77) | 7.99 USD | Oct 8, 2024 | Compare |
| Sherpa: Autism & ND Parenting | 5.0 / 5 (2) | Free | Aug 13, 2025 | Compare |
| SLSL Dictionary | 5.0 / 5 (2) | Free | Nov 1, 2026 | Compare |