- Sticky Tray - double sided suction cups to hold down a book, plate and bowl stuck to a tray; useful for students who have difficulty holding onto objects.
- Squeeze Bottle Pencil Holder - holds a pencil in place, added elastic bands to make for better gripping, add sugar and rock inside bottle to make a weighted pencil; useful for students with fine motor difficulties.
- Easy Grip Magnetic Letter - whiteboard slant board sits on an iPad holder for placing letter cards with knobs (made from ice cube tray) for easy grasping purposes, vowels were green and constants were red; for students with fine motor difficulties.
- Spongy Whiteboard - two large car wash sponges with furniture casters on bottom with cork board on one side and white board on other on top of sponges; for students who can't work on flat surfaces as board is supposed to be elevated.
- Push Down Scissors - scissors with silicone spatulas as handles, a clamp is used on desk to hold scissors in one place; great for students with fine motor difficulties and for students with learning disabilities.
- Dice Master - butter tray for holding dice; useful for ADHD students and students with a learning disability.
- Swim Buddy - pop bottle with board maker sheet inside to assist swimmer with communication while swimming; for students who need AAC in water.
- One Handed Marker Pull - pot with plaster in bottom to hold marker covers, user can pull marker out with one hand and won't lose the cover; great for young students.
- Popsicle Painter - make-up sponges were placed on the ends of popsicle sticks from a popsicle tray and shaped in different ways, plastic lemons were stuck on top for gripping purposes, container could hold paint; useful for students with fine motor difficulties.
- Math Assist - assist with measuring using a bath squeegee with velcro to attach ruler and or protractor; for students with fine motor difficulties.
- Skater-Rex - this toy was used to encourage active play (dinosaur attached by velcro to skateboard); great for all students to engage in play.
- Camera Floater - used to help with zippers; for students with fine motor difficulties.
- Clothespin Alphabet - milk carton cut in half using clothespins with letters to make words; great for students working on the pincer grasp.
After the AT presentations Barb showed us a case study on Tyler. We were introduced to Tyler before, but today was more in depth beginning from when he was born. He is a remarkable young boy! As we viewed Tyler's case I was amazed at the amount of assistive technology he has used and how it has changed over the years for him.
Powerlink and Switch Access
- Powerlink is a control unit that allows user to operate small electrical appliances through switch access.
- Remember NOT to ask student "to hit the switch" but rather say, "turn on the light".
- When prompting important to WAIT and WAIT for response before continually prompting student.
Setting up a switch for a student takes a great deal of time. Finding the control site, where the switch will operate from; head, elbow, hand or finger, is the first step then positioning the switch. The user needs lots of practice and more practice again to operate a switch.
Benefits of a Switch
- Inclusion in activities
- Communication
- Control over the environment
- Engagement in curriculum
- Access to employment, internet, education
- Cause and effect
- Switch timing
- Clicker 5
- Choose it Maker
- Cloze Pro
Amazing videos of individuals using a switch that Barb showed us during class
Ideas for using a switch:
- turning on LCD projector
- operating kitchen appliances (toaster, blender)
- sewing machine in Home Ec class
- running the listening centre
- keeping score in gym class
- operating a paper shredder
- controlling music during musical chairs
- turning on TV
- operating pencil sharpener
- being in charge of pet food dispenser
- controlling Christmas lights
During class we learned about Dr. Karen Erickson. She has done a great deal of research on literacy skills with low- incidence disabilities. Her case studies are very interesting and show fascinating results.
http://www.med.unc.edu/ahs/clds/projects/north-carolina-deaf-blind-project
http://www.med.unc.edu/ahs/clds/projects/north-carolina-deaf-blind-project/db-case-studies
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