Thursday, July 15, 2010

What you can do with a Switch and a Powerlink!!

Key Messages from Switch Access - a Barb Welsford PowerPoint Presentation

Switch +Power Link + electronic device =

control --> power to the user
skill development --> meeting outcomes -cause and effect, choices,
communucation.
active role in the class --> motivation

SWITCH Access Benefits:
*control over the enviro
*inclusion in activities
*communication
*engagement in curriculum
*engagement in social activities
*leisure activities
*access to employment, internet, education

Success depends on:
*motivation
*suitable activities
*practice time
*loads of encouragement
*positions of the switch
*type of switch

Socialization is motivating!

Try incorporating switch use so a user can:
*make popcorn, smoothies - sell them!
*present songs at music concert
*present activities to primaries
*start the sentence in a repetitive book in circle time
*move the teacher's PowerPoint slides ahead.

Other fun activities:

*Have the switch toy knock over blocks
*Stage a race with two children operating two walking switch toys
*Bubble making machine
*Dress up switch toys to reflect the seasons or clsasroom units
*Encourage child to have the toy walk toward whoever calls out his name
*Have toy walk off the table or into a box etc...
*Use a water pic to paint
*Turn on a foot bath
*Turn on decorative lights
*Turn on toaster oven, popcorn popper, blender, etc
*Turning on/off music for musical chairs
*Turn on the fan
*Artwork - streamers on fan, ping pong balls attached, dip in paint, turn on fan towards paper!!
*Attach markers to toy car to draw on paper on the floor
*Operate pencil sharpeners, shredders, electric stapler, scissors etc
* At a dance - operate the fog machine, black light
*Access adapted devices - phones, iPod Touches, computer.

The possibilities are endless. Be creative!!

Check out
hiyah.net for ready made Switch access activities



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