Making Low-Tech AT and Adaptations

Re-published with permission from Tots-n-Tech

Newsletter – August 2010

1

Arizona State University Tots-n-Tech E-Newsletter, August 2010 Thomas Jefferson University

Thomas Jefferson University

Arizona State University

August 2010 E-Newsletter

In This Issue

Making Low-Tech AT and Adaptations

1

Make-It Take-It Materials Lists

2

Web Resources for Making Low-Tech AT & Adaptations

3

Print Resources for Making Low-Tech AT & Adaptations

4

Idea to Share: Baking Pan Magnifier

6

M A K I N G L O W - T E C H A T A N D A D A P T A T I O N S

Low-tech assistive technology (AT) and adaptations are cheap and easy strategies that families and professionals can use to increase their children’s participation in daily activities and routines. If you have the right supplies, most of these ideas only take a few minutes to make. Creating a make-it take-it kit to keep at home, in the office, or take with you on the go is a great idea for making sure that you’ll have the needed supplies when you want to create low-tech AT or an adaptation. In this newsletter we have put together lists of items commonly used in low tech AT and adaptations. Below is a list of general materials that may be useful for all of your AT and adaptation projects. In addition to these items, we have also included lists of materials for making devices and adaptations based on functional need. Combine the list below with the lists on page 2 to make your own make-it take-it kit!

Velcro Various kinds of tape - Duct tape,

masking tape, cloth tape, electrical tape PVC pipe Sewing kit

Empty containers Cardboard boxes

Scissors and X-acto knife Glue and hot glue gun Various kinds of paper -

construction, cardstock, 3x5 cards, etc.

Markers, pencils, pens, crayons Styrofoam trays Fabric scraps Sandpaper

Spray adhesive Pool noodles

Non-slip material Felt

Phonebooks Tool set

Battery interrupter and switch

G E N E R A L M A K E - I T T A K E - I T L I S T

2

Arizona State University Tots-n-Tech E-Newsletter, August 2010 Thomas Jefferson University

M A K E - I T T A K E - I T M A T E R I A L S L I S T S

POSITIONING & MOBILITY Quilt Batting Cushions, pillows,

towels Phonebooks Plastic buckets Foam - soft & firm

kinds Hula hoops Wood pieces Screws Rope Wheels/Casters Washers Tri-wall

COMMUNICATION/LITERACY

Shower curtain rings Popsicle sticks Pictures, magazine

clippings, drawings, etc.

Contact lenses containers

Phonebooks Pop-poms Plastic bags, clear

plastic covers Clear keychains Styrofoam trays Paper clips Magnets Pipe cleaners,

feathers, other textured objects

Highlighter tape Talking picture

frame, talking greeting cards, etc.

Pouch laminators Binders and binder

rings

USING ARMS AND HANDS Shower curtain rings Popsicle sticks Contact lenses

containers Film canisters,

prescription canister Hairbrushes Magnets Pop-poms Stress balls

Tennis balls Wiffle balls/golf balls

Clay Large beads Foam hair curlers

Cookbook stand or PVC for homemade stand

Wooden knobs PVC Paper clips Poker chips Margarine lids Buttons Cookie sheets

Felt Wood pieces Corrugated cardboard Empty roll-on deodorant bottle Plaster of paris Elastic

SOCIALIZATION/BEHAVIOR Shower curtain rings Popsicle sticks Pictures, magazine

clippings, drawings, etc. Poster board Magnets Stress balls

For ideas on what to make with these items visit the Ideas to Share section

of TnT’s website at http://tnt.asu.edu/ideas

3

Arizona State University Tots-n-Tech E-Newsletter, August 2010 Thomas Jefferson University

Tots-n-Tech (http://tnt.asu.edu): Provides information and resources about adaptations, including assistive technology, to use with infants and toddlers for states, EI providers of all disciplines, and families. The Ideas to Share section of the Tots-n-Tech website contains a growing database of low-tech AT ideas that have been contributed by people working with young children. The database can be accessed by clicking on the “Ideas to Share” link at the top of the page or by clicking on the keywords on the right side of the page. The database is organized by functional skill, activity/routine, and keyword. Project Participate (http://projectparticipate.org/gadgets-gizmos.asp): Project Participate provides families, educators, administrators and therapists with simple strategies to increase the active participation of students with disabilities in school programs. Their gadgets and gizmos section contains ideas that promote participation in the home, school, and community. Linda Burkhart (http://www.lburkhart.com/handouts.htm): Linda Burkhart’s website contains instructions and handouts on how to make communication devices for young children. Her website also includes products you can purchase.

SWEET AT Toolkit (http://www.scoe.net/SEEDS/resources/at/atToolkit.html): This toolkit “was developed to meet the need for access to low-tech, inexpensive tools designed to assist young children with disabilities to learn, play, grow and participate with peers and family members. The AT Toolkit is based on the need to have AT tools readily available for children, families, and providers to apply in daily routines and activities. The SWEET AT

Toolkit is actually a guide for the development and use of AT Toolkits in early intervention and early childhood settings. The toolkit consists of nineteen activity-based ideas for creating low-technology ideas for assessment and intervention purposes.”

W E B R E S O U R C E S F O R M A K I N G L O W - T E C H A T & A D A P T A T I O N S

4

Arizona State University Tots-n-Tech E-Newsletter, August 2010 Thomas Jefferson University

P R I N T R E S O U R C E S

The New Language of Toys: Teaching Communication Skills to Children with Special Needs (1996) by Sue Schwartz and Joan E. Heller Miller This book “is a fresh, hands-on approach to using everyday toys – both store-bought and homemade—to stimulate language development in children with special needs from birth through age six. When parents and teachers follow the book’s creative activities and toy dialogues, playtime becomes a fun, exciting, and educational experience.”

Designing Environments for Successful Kids (2003) edited by Penny Reed “The DESK Concept is based on the premise that children can only succeed when the supports they need are readily available in their environment. This manual will describe a variety of these supports for infants, toddlers, children and youth at different ages and different development levels who are engaging in a variety of learning tasks. It will focus on providing those supports in the quickest, most practical and least expensive way possible. Suggested materials and devices will include both commercially available and teacher or parent made items.” This manual can be downloaded from the following website: http://dpi.state.wi.us/sped/pdf/at-wati-desk.pdf

W E B R E S O U R C E S C O N T I N U E D

SWEET Training Modules (http://www.scoe.net/SEEDS/resources/at/trainMods.html): This site contains downloadable AT training modules to use with professionals and families. Topics covered include assessment, communication, emergent literacy for infants/toddlers, AT and play, and AT and computers. Each module may be downloaded separately from the SWEET website.

NYC Department of Education, Special Education District 75 (http://schools.nyc.gov/Offices/District75/Departments/Literacy/AdaptedBooks/default.htm): This website has adapted books that can be used with young children with disabilities. The books can be downloaded in several formats including Power Point, Boardmaker, and Writing with Symbols.

5

Arizona State University Tots-n-Tech E-Newsletter, August 2010 Thomas Jefferson University

P R I N T R E S O U R C E S C O N T I N U E D

Tech it Easy: Technology for Infants and Toddlers made Easy (1995) edited by Debbie Reinhartsen “This guide presents suggestions and materials for providing in-service training about assistive technology for parents and professionals working with infants and toddlers with or at-risk for disabilities. An introduction provides an overview and includes a variety of forms and surveys, a sample in-service agenda, and a list of workshop materials. The in-service program is divided into five strands. For each strand the guide identifies learning objectives, explains principles, suggests some activities, provides related handouts, and suggests additional resources. The strands are about: (1) Baby Tech--basic concepts; (2) family centered programs--the challenges and benefits of parent-professional partnerships in early intervention; (3) communication and language--the nature of communication and building the young child's language skills; (4) play--matching the child's needs and capabilities with toys and play situations; and (5) literacy--developing from birth the young child's four ways of communicating. An additional large section provides instructions and illustrations for making 28 adapted toys. Also included are two sections listing a variety of additional resources.” This guide can be downloaded from the Education Resources Information Center website (http://www.eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/contentdelivery/servlet/ERICServlet?accno=ED420932) or from the Tech it Easy website (http://www.cdl.unc.edu/link/TechItEasyManual.htm). The PVC Book of Simple Possibilities (2001) and The PVC Book II: More Simple Possibilities by Diane J. Brians These books “provide a wealth of resources, from where and what to purchase, to the secrets of removing difficult imprinting from PVC pipes. In the PVC Books you will learn: why PVC is one of the most versatile construction materials available today; which fittings, tools, and accessories will make your project easier and faster to complete; the details of a successful project, from purchasing to cleanup; creative projects from simple to more elaborate; numerous national resources.” These books can be ordered at Assistive Technology Partners’ website http://www.uchsc.edu/atp/pvcBooks.html. Assistive Technology and Play for Infants and Toddlers (1993) by Laura Fowler Lewis, Deborah Fitzgibbons, and Lori U. Kearney “This booklet provides information regarding how to incorporate assistive technology into developmentally appropriate play activities for infants and toddlers. A brief overview of normal development is given, from birth through 36 months. Specific ideas for adapting standard play activities for the enjoyment and education of children with physical disabilities are offered. A "How-To" section provides guidelines for making simple assistive devices at home, including Velcro bracelets, baby gyms, eye-gaze boards, loop tape messages, trays for feeder seats, mobiles for cribs, mercury switches, slant boards, ping pong ball switches, and battery adapters. A resource section offers lists of books, newsletters, catalogs, and programs.” This booklet can be downloaded from the Education Resources Information Center website (http://www.eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/contentdelivery/servlet/ERICServlet?accno=ED393229)

6

Arizona State University Tots-n-Tech E-Newsletter, August 2010 Thomas Jefferson University

Do you have an idea that you’d like to share with others? Submit your idea with a picture and description, we’ll put it on our website as a part of our Ideas to Share. To submit your idea, or if you have any questions,

send an email to jill.mcleod@jefferson.edu.

Please feel free to forward this newsletter to any individuals or agencies that may benefit from information on assistive technology.

Questions? Comments? Want to have the newsletter sent directly to your inbox? Email Jill at jill.mcleod@jefferson.edu

B A K I N G P A N M A G N I F I E R

Materials: 1 aluminum foil baking pan of any size

4 spools of thread OR 4 small cups (e.g., Dixie cups) 1 sheet magnifier (make sure your pan is larger than your magnifier)

Scissors Glue

Electrical tape and/or masking tape Directions: 1. Cut a hole in the bottom of the baking pan that is slightly smaller than the size

of the magnifier

2. Apply electrical or masking tape to the edges of the hole so they are not sharp (shown as yellow tape in the pictures above).

3. Apply glue or tape to the outer edges of one side of the magnifier. Place magnifier inside the baking pan (as shown in picture 1) so that it covers the hole and so the glue or tape secures it to the baking pan. Apply more glue or tape as needed.

4. Attach the spools of thread or small cups to each corner of the baking pan with glue or tape (as shown in picture 1).

5. To use, turn the pan upside down so that it is resting on the spools or cups (see picture 2). Place objects underneath to magnify them.