Making Low-Tech AT and Adaptations

Re-published with permission from Tots-n-Tech Newsletter – August 2010 1

Thomas Jefferson Arizona State University University

August 2010 E-Newsletter

M AKING LOW-TECH AT AND ADAPTATIONS In This Issue Low-tech assistive (AT) and adaptations are cheap and easy strategies that families and professionals can use to increase their Making Low-Tech 1 children’s participation in daily activities and routines. If you have the AT and right supplies, most of these ideas only take a few minutes to make. Adaptations Creating a make-it take-it kit to keep at home, in the office, or take with 2 you on the go is a great idea for making sure that you’ll have the needed Make-It Take-It Materials Lists 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 Web Resources 3 items, we have also included lists of materials for making devices and for Making Low- adaptations based on functional need. Combine the list below with the Tech AT & Adaptations lists on page 2 to make your own make-it take-it kit! Print Resources 4 for Making Low- Tech AT & Adaptations

Idea to Share: 6 Baking Pan Magnifier

G ENERAL MAKE- IT TAKE- IT LIST

 Velcro  Markers, pencils, pens, crayons  Various kinds of tape - Duct tape,  Styrofoam trays masking tape, cloth tape,  Fabric scraps electrical tape  Sandpaper  PVC pipe  Spray adhesive  Sewing kit  Pool noodles  Empty containers  Non-slip material  Cardboard boxes   Scissors and X-acto knife  Phonebooks  Glue and hot glue gun  set  Various kinds of -  Battery interrupter and switch construction, cardstock, 3x5 cards, etc.

Arizona State University Tots-n-Tech E-Newsletter, August 2010 Jefferson University 2

M AKE- IT TAKE- IT MATERIALS LISTS POSITIONING & MOBILITY SOCIALIZATION/BEHAVIOR USING ARMS AND HANDS  Quilt Batting  Shower curtain rings  Shower curtain rings  Cushions, pillows,  Popsicle sticks  Popsicle sticks towels  Pictures, magazine  Contact lenses  Phonebooks clippings, drawings, etc. containers  buckets  Poster board  Film canisters,  Foam - soft & firm  Magnets prescription canister kinds  Stress balls  Hairbrushes  Hula hoops  Magnets  pieces  Pop-poms  Screws  Stress balls  Rope  Tennis balls  Wheels/Casters  Wiffle balls/golf balls  Washers  Clay For ideas on what to make with these  Tri-wall  Large beads items visit the Ideas to Share section  Foam hair curlers of TnT’s website at http://  Cookbook tnt.asu.edu/ideas stand or PVC for / homemade stand LITERACY  Wooden knobs  Shower curtain rings  PVC  Popsicle sticks  Paper clips  Pictures, magazine  Poker chips clippings, drawings,  Margarine lids etc.   Contact lenses  Cookie sheets containers  Felt  Phonebooks  Wood pieces  Pop-poms  Corrugated  Plastic bags, clear cardboard plastic covers  Empty roll-on  Clear keychains deodorant bottle  Styrofoam trays  Plaster of paris  Paper clips  Elastic  Magnets  Pipe cleaners, feathers, other textured objects  Highlighter tape  Talking picture frame, talking greeting cards, etc.  Pouch laminators  Binders and binder rings

Arizona State University Tots-n-Tech E-Newsletter, August 2010 Thomas Jefferson University 3

W EB RESOURCES FOR MAKING LOW-TECH AT & A DAPTATIONS

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 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.”

Arizona State University Tots-n-Tech E-Newsletter, August 2010 Thomas Jefferson University 4

W EB RESOURCES CONTINUED

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.

P RINT RESOURCES 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

Arizona State University Tots-n-Tech E-Newsletter, August 2010 Thomas Jefferson University 5

P RINT RESOURCES CONTINUED 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)

Arizona State University Tots-n-Tech E-Newsletter, August 2010 Thomas Jefferson University 6

B AKING PAN MAGNIFIER

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.

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 [email protected].

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 [email protected]

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