Assistive Technology Assistive Technology for for

Little OnesLittle Ones

Cindy Cavanagh, CCC-SLP, ATPCindy Cavanagh, CCC-SLP, ATPTeresa Wyant, CCC-SLP, ATPTeresa Wyant, CCC-SLP, ATP

Mississippi Bend AEAMississippi Bend AEABettendorf, IA Bettendorf, IA

Here are some of the things Here are some of the things little ones learn in play: 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

Play is fun.Play is fun.

If play isn’t fun …If play isn’t fun …

… … it isn’t play.it isn’t play.

Little ones play, not work.Little ones play, not work.

Little ones learn from play.Little ones learn from play.

If play is fun, little ones will: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 If play is not fun, little ones willwill

• 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 Enjoyable play is easy for some little ones and harder for little ones and harder for

others to find.others to find.

As educators and parents, it is As educators and parents, it is our job and our joy to make the our job and our joy to make the

world an interesting and world an interesting and enjoyable place to be for our enjoyable place to be for our

little ones.little ones.

Play and Toys go together!Play and Toys go together!Toys can be: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 Toys can be adapted to provide: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 Sources for Adaptations and Adapted toys: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?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:How to adapt electrical toys:

• Power control units– Battery

– Outlet

The ToysThe Toys

Bubble Bubble MachineMachine

• From: Enabling Devices $143-$170

Dora the Dora the ExplorerExplorer

• From: Enabling Devices $62.95

• From: Integrations $35.95

Big Vibrating BugBig Vibrating Bug

NemoNemo• From: Enabling Devices

$49.95

Baby Biff BearBaby Biff Bear• From: Enabling Devices

$35.95

Quack Quack Quack Quack DuckyDucky

• From: Enabling Devices $29.95

Friendly FireflyFriendly Firefly• From: Enabling Devices

$19.95

Dancing LightsDancing Lights• From: Local

retailers (e.g. Target)

$10-$15

Paint N SwirlPaint N Swirl• From: Enabling Devices

$35.95

All-Turn-ItAll-Turn-ItSpinnerSpinner

• From: AbleNet $93.00

Base TrainerBase Trainer• From: Mayer-Johnson

$198.00

Dancing FlowersDancing Flowers• From: Kohl’s sale shelf $5.00

Heart LightsHeart Lights• From: Local stores about $8-$10

BEFORE Valentine’s day

Lamp BaseLamp Base• From: Local retail

stores (e.g. Target) $6.00

GirlBot - InfraredGirlBot - Infrared• From: Toys R Us $40.00

Tank - InfraredTank - Infrared• From: Toys R Us• $40.00

BookWormBookWorm• From: AbleNet $239.00

Time to Sing CDTime to Sing CD• From: various

Internet sites• $16.98

Tickle Me ErineTickle Me Erine• www.enablingdevices

.com

Polaroid CameraPolaroid Camera• www.orcca.com

~ $100

Interactive Interactive StoryBooksStoryBooks

• From: www.mayer-johnson.com

$19.00 each

Switch BoardSwitch Board• From:

www.adaptivation.com

$125.00

AquariumAquarium• From: www.enablingdevices.com $48.95

The Computer ToyThe Computer Toy

ComputersComputers• Access Issues

– Vision– Hearing– Motor (keyboard and mouse)– Positioning– Attention

ComputersComputers• Software considerations

– Age appropriate– Attention– High interest (movement, sound,

meaningful pictures and actions)– Learning potential– Recreational potential– Opportunity for social interaction

Example of Computer Example of Computer AccessAccess

• Single switch• Two-switch• Specialized keyboard

– IntelliKeys– BigKeys

• Specialized mouse– P&G TrackBall– P&G Joystick– Touch Window– Tracker

Examples of Computer Examples of Computer SoftwareSoftware

• Cause-effect– IntelliTools– SimTech– RJ Cooper– Judy Lynn

• Books– BuildAbility– Power Point

• Off-the-shelf preschool programs• Shareware/Freeware (BlockCad)

Where to buy special Where to buy special software?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 Assistive Technology for for

Little OnesLittle Ones

Cindy Cavanagh, CCC-SLP, ATPCindy Cavanagh, CCC-SLP, ATPTeresa Wyant, CCC-SLP, ATPTeresa Wyant, CCC-SLP, ATP

Mississippi Bend AEAMississippi Bend AEABettendorf, IA Bettendorf, IA