Playing is child's work and toys are a great way to increase play skills. Switch activated toys are often great motivates because they encourages the development of motor, language, cognitive, visual and social skills. Through playing, children learn to move their hands and bodies, learn rules, learn how to be sociable and develop imagination skills. Toys increase a child's ability to control the world around them as well as learn independence. Switch activated toys also provide training for skills required later in life.
All children want to play with toys. However, many children have to depend on others to assist them in play activities. Through adapted toys, ALL children can learn the basic concepts of play. For children with disabilities, an adapted switch will allow them access to switch activated toys and computer games as well as a strategy for controlling their world. For children without disabilities, adaptive toys have had success in motivating learning and expanding play options. For the two groups playing together, adapted toys can be effective in "equalizing" the differences between all the children.
Sometimes, simple changes to battery operated toys or buying a different type toy will allow children with disabilities to play independently or give them the ability to interact with other children. Here are some ideas to keep in mind when buying toys for children with disabilities.
VISION
CHALLENGES
Children with vision challenges enjoy toys that make sounds, vibrate or are
actually marked. For children with light perception, toys that produce light
or are constructed with shiny materials can be an option. A good example is
Sparkles The Clown - touch his shimmering bead-chain hair and brightly colored
sequins whirl inside his hat. Push his bright yellow ears and his big green
eyes light up. Twist his big red clown's nose and it honks.
Pull on his bright red bow tie and he vibrates with delight. Spin his blue roller
mouth and Sparkles plays a tune while you watch yourself in his mirror cheeks
(Toys for Special Children). To encourage exploration of toys, provide children
with toys that produce light or sound and are made from a variety of materials--stuffed
animals, wooden blocks, plastic cars, etc.
HEARING
CHALLENGES
For children with hearing challenges, toys that use lights, print out messages,
or are action packed are better choices. One example for young children is an
activity center full of various stimulations: a bright yellow plate that turns
on a light when touched, a bead chain curtain, an unbreakable mirror, a push
button that activates a small fan, and a big orange push button that will activate
an adorable stuffed animal. Toys with intricate parts and designs and are full
of action are good choices for older children with hearing challenges. Examples
of action toys are remote cars and trucks. These toys encourage imagination
and physical development.
COGNITIVE
CHALLENGES
Children with cognitive challenges often enjoy toys that require fewer steps
to work. Toys that move and make sounds by activating a switch are excellent
toys: Bubbles the Pup loves to walk around the room and fill it with bubbles;
Magic Mike Robot is an exciting multi-action toy that walks, talks, moves his
head and arms, has flashing eyes, and with his gripper hands can bring a cookie
to you.
LANGUAGE
CHALLENGES
Children with language challenges often find toys and games that require talking
difficult to enjoy. Dramatic play can offer all children a relaxed way of increasing
their language skills as well as their cognitive skills. One good example is
the Cooking Center. Children can experience the art of cooking with the realistic
boiling effect of the pans. Another example is the switch activated jet that
stimulates a child's imagination when it whirls around the room with its realistic
sounds. Both of these toys encourage children to freely vocalize or talk when
they activate the toys with a switch.
MOTOR CHALLENGES
Children with motor challenges often have difficulty moving their arms, hands,
or legs. Any switch activated toy of their choice will encourage participation
within a group activity as well as develop independent play skills. Here are
a few recommendations to achieve success at play:
*Increase the size of handles on toys (bat, hammer, push toys) by wrapping a
piece of rubber around the handle. This makes the handle bigger and the toy
easier to use.
* Buy light weight toys that do not require much strength. Pushing buttons on
a toy or a push panel switch may be impossible if a child is not strong enough.
* For a child that cannot control arm movements, use unbreakable toys or attach
the toy to a stationary surface. Toys that move or make noise, such as a Happy
Apple, are good choices.
* Position the toy about 12 to 18 inches away from the child. This keeps the
toy in easy reach.
*Put the toy on a flat surface. If the surface slopes, the toy may move too
far away.
* Battery operated toys may be good to use if the toy is sturdy. However, watch
out for parts that break easily.
MULTIPLE
CHALLENGES AND MICROSWITCHES
For children with more than one challenges or for children that are unable to
move, special toys may be indicated. These toys use a battery or are plugged
into a socket. Instead of using the switch on the toy, the toy is operated by
a remote microswitch. The microswitch turns the toy or game on and off, just
like using a light switch. A battery operated toy needs an adaptation to the
on/off switch so that a remote microswitch can be used. This adaptation can
be permanent or temporary. Both can be made inexpensively at home ($3 - $5 each).
Books with directions for making temporary and permanent adaptations to toys
are listed in the back of this pamphlet. Also, adapted toys can be purchased
and a list of vendors is in the back, too. These toys are more expensive $25
to $60. Adapted toys tend to break more easily, so look closely at the warranty.
The microswitch will cost an additional $20 - $70 depending upon the type used.
As an alternative, microswitches can be easily made for $2 to $25.
Finding the best microswitch for a child to use requires a good evaluation.
The evaluation focuses on where the child can move without assistance. Care
must be used so that abnormal movements are not increased by using the microswitch.
The type microswitch used depends on the child's strength and where the voluntary
movement is. The microswitch can be positioned anywhere.
Microswitches come in many shapes and sizes and with varying sensitivity and
durability. Some are activated with the chin, by sipping or blowing into a straw-like
device, or by tilting the head. Switch activated toys and other adapted toys
can provide the feeling of "I did it" for children with disabilities.
This feeling of success is quite frequently difficult for children with disabilities
to achieve. So make use of an important learning tool - "switch activated
play."
Copyright
© 1998 by LOUISIANA ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY ACCESS NETWORK
All Rights Reserved
LATAN receives funds from the Technology Act of 1988 through the National Institute
on Disability and Rehabilitation Research, U. S. Department of Education, Grant
#H224A10028.
This publication does not necessarily reflect the position or policy of any
of these federal agencies and no official endorsement of the material should
be inferred.