AT Invention presentations

Group presentations this morning on creating low cost AT were great - inspiring and imaginative ways to use dollar store items to assist students with exceptionalities.

·        Sticky tray - has suction cups glued to the bottom of a plate, bowl on a tray. Keeps items attached so student has better control for activities or eating with the items.

·        Turkey baster pencil holder – for better gripping ability for a student who needs a wider item to grip for writing ability.

·        Squeeze bottle pencil holder with rubber bands for gripping. Sand weight added for ASD gives orientation in space for pencil holding. Also a sponge clipboard made from a car sponge and a flexible cutting board.

·        Easy grip magnetic letters – consonants green, vowels red made with ice cube tray and magnetic board. Easy to pick up for children with motor skill difficulties or physical disabilities.

·        Spongy white board – sponge, furniture casters, writing tablet and bulletin. For student who has issues writing on a flat surface.

·        Spatula scissors with clamp – great for one-handed scissor usage. For child with motor planning issues in brain – physical disabilities.

·        Dice buddy – butter dish with dice inside. ADHD and physical disability issues. Two sizes - smaller and larger sizes. Swim buddy – plastic bottle with boardmaker pics inside. Benefits student who needs to continue to communicate in water while at the pool for example - needs AAC in water.

·        One-handed marker holder – marker tops are glued to bottom in a heavy clay pot to aid one-handed marker usage for student.

·        Popsicle Painter – Knobs attached to Popsicle top holders. Helps students to grip for painting when a wider hold is required.

·        Skater Rex – Dinosaur attached to a skate board to assist with active play and social interaction.

·        Yellow handle attach tool – made from a floatable handle made for a camera. Can attach to zipper on a school bag for example help with ability to open and close zippers.

Afternoon

       Later in the day, the benefits of various types of switches for children with severe multiple disabilities were discussed and demonstrated through video case study examples.

       Benefits of switch usage : control over the environment, access to inclusion in activities, communication and engagement for curriculum and leisure activities. Children or adults can use switches to turn on lights, assist with cooking, participate in class with others in an inclusive manner.

       The PowerLink  switch was shown to be a very versatile switch as it could control many types of powered appliances and devices. http://www.donjohnston.com/products/access_solutions/hardware/power_link_3/index.html

 Ideas for the use of a Powerlink switch device:

1.       Feed the family pet by having a switch hooked up to a portion controlled “feeder”

2.       Garage door opener – switch in car to activate remote

3.       Switch to turn on lawn sprinkler at home or at school

4.    And of course any appliance, such as a blender, or machine, such as a photocopier. Certainly applicable for school or for home usage.

5.   Lightswitches, Christmas tree lights, electronics......

      Another  switch type is switchXS that provides access to Mac OS X and all standard Mac applications for people who can only use one or more switches.
       http://www.assistiveware.com/product/switchxs

      Pal Pad is an example of a flat style switch http://www.spectronicsinoz.com/product/pal-pad-switches



Other types and styles of switches.