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Assistive Technology for Little Ones. Cindy Cavanagh, CCC-SLP, ATP Teresa Wyant, CCC-SLP, ATP Mississippi Bend AEA Bettendorf, IA. Here are some of the things little ones learn in play:. How to interact with the environment How to have fun and entertain
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Assistive Technology for Little Ones Cindy Cavanagh, CCC-SLP, ATP Teresa Wyant, CCC-SLP, ATP Mississippi Bend AEA Bettendorf, IA
Here are some of the things little ones learn in play: • How to interact with the environment • How to have fun and entertain • How to make happy sounds while playing • How to communicate with family • How to move around • How big things are • How books work • How many things there are • What happens when I do THIS • What happens when I do THAT • How to make my fingers do this
If play is fun, little ones will: • Want to do it for a long, long time. • Want to do it again and again • Learn while they are doing it • Master skills and learn more the next time they play with the same toy • Be more likely to communicate spontaneously
If play is not fun, little ones will • Shut down (listening, thinking, talking, learning) • Become agitated • Anticipate the awfulness of the “play-work” when the materials are presented again • Find other ways to occupy/entertain themselves • Spend a lot of time unengaged
Enjoyable play is easy for some little ones and harder for others to find.As educators and parents, it is our job and our joy to make the world an interesting and enjoyable place to be for our little ones.
Play and Toys go together!Toys can be: • Typical toys for age • Toys from a different age used in a more simple or more a more complex way • Typical toys adapted • Specialized adaptive toys
Toys can be adapted to provide: • Access to the toy for little ones who cannot access and enjoy the toy in the typical way • A new function or use for the toy
Sources for Adaptations and Adapted toys: • Local AEA or district (Early Access) • Local School district (3-5 preschools) • Lekotek lekotek@lekotek.org • Private therapy services (e.g. Easter Seals; speech; physical therapy, occupation therapy, etc.) • Your own creativity • References, instructions and activities available at: www.ataccess.org
Where to buy adapted toys? • Enabling Devices www.enablingdevices.com • TASH www.tash.com • Adaptivation www.adaptivation.com • AbleNet www.ablenetinc.com • Mayer-Johnson www.mayer-johnson.com • Crestwood www.communicationaids.com
How to adapt electrical toys: • Power control units • Battery • Outlet
Bubble Machine • From: Enabling Devices $143-$170
Dora the Explorer • From: Enabling Devices $62.95
Big Vibrating Bug • From: Integrations $35.95
Nemo • From: Enabling Devices $49.95
Baby Biff Bear • From: Enabling Devices $35.95
Quack Quack Ducky • From: Enabling Devices $29.95
Friendly Firefly • From: Enabling Devices $19.95
Dancing Lights • From: Local retailers (e.g. Target) $10-$15
Paint N Swirl • From: Enabling Devices $35.95
All-Turn-ItSpinner • From: AbleNet $93.00
Base Trainer • From: Mayer-Johnson $198.00
Dancing Flowers • From: Kohl’s sale shelf $5.00
Heart Lights • From: Local stores about $8-$10 BEFORE Valentine’s day
Lamp Base • From: Local retail stores (e.g. Target) $6.00
GirlBot - Infrared • From: Toys R Us $40.00
Tank - Infrared • From: Toys R Us • $40.00
BookWorm • From: AbleNet $239.00
Time to Sing CD • From: various Internet sites • $16.98
Tickle Me Erine • www.enablingdevices.com
Polaroid Camera • www.orcca.com ~ $100
Interactive StoryBooks • From: www.mayer-johnson.com $19.00 each
Switch Board • From: www.adaptivation.com $125.00
Aquarium • From: www.enablingdevices.com $48.95
Computers • Access Issues • Vision • Hearing • Motor (keyboard and mouse) • Positioning • Attention
Computers • Software considerations • Age appropriate • Attention • High interest (movement, sound, meaningful pictures and actions) • Learning potential • Recreational potential • Opportunity for social interaction
Example of Computer Access • Single switch • Two-switch • Specialized keyboard • IntelliKeys • BigKeys • Specialized mouse • P&G TrackBall • P&G Joystick • Touch Window • Tracker
Examples of Computer Software • Cause-effect • IntelliTools • SimTech • RJ Cooper • Judy Lynn • Books • BuildAbility • Power Point • Off-the-shelf preschool programs • Shareware/Freeware (BlockCad)
Where to buy special software? • Judy Lynn Software www.castle.net/~judylynn • RJCooper www.rjcooper.com • IntelliTools www.intellitools.com • SimTech www.hsj.com • SoftTouch www.funsoftware.com • DonJohnston www.donjohnston.com • Search freeware and shareware sites
Assistive Technology for Little Ones Cindy Cavanagh, CCC-SLP, ATP Teresa Wyant, CCC-SLP, ATP Mississippi Bend AEA Bettendorf, IA