Assistive Technology Center Institute for Human Development Arizona University Center on Disabilities Who Are We Northern Arizona Universitys Institute for Human Development Assistive Technology Center ID: 156534
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Slide1
Accessible and Adapted Toys
Assistive Technology CenterInstitute for Human DevelopmentArizona University Center on DisabilitiesSlide2
Who Are We?
Northern Arizona University’s Institute for Human Development Assistive Technology CenterLesley Iacona M.Ed., CCC-SLPNikki Anderson MA, OTR/L, ATPSlide3
What is Play?
“Play is the work of the child.” – Maria Montessori“Play is a child’s work.” – Jean Piaget“Play is the highest form of research.” -Albert EinsteinSlide4
Importance of Play
Play helps children develop social, emotional, physical, language and creative skills. The Benefits of PlayVocabulary/language developmentProblem solving
Imagination
Abstract thinking
Empathy, perspective-taking
Learning new concepts
Turn taking skills
Attention regulation
Concentration
Persistence
Sharing/Cooperation
Expressing feelings
Social skills
RepetitionSlide5
Importance of Play
Click Here to read a short article that describes the basic skills developed through play in more detail. This article also includes excellent references if you are interested in learning more about the importance of play for young children.Slide6
Biological Value of Play
Click Here to watch an interesting TED Talk given by Dr. Stuart Brown from the National Institute for Play. Dr. Brown discusses how play is more than just fun for both children and adults. Play deprivation results in abnormal brain development.Play is not just practice for adult skills. Play holds biological value in and of itself, similar to sleep and dreams. Slide7
During Play
Children WatchListenExplore ImitateCreate and Use Language for a PurposeSlide8
Barriers to Play
Skill BarriersMobility Impairments - Difficulty handling toysVision Impairments - Difficulty discerning color/pattern characteristicsHearing Impairments - Misses feedback from toysFine Motor Impairments - Difficulty manipulating toysKnowledge of “how” to play - Has limited experience with play
Speech-Language Impairments - Difficulty creating scripts for play or communicating requests and demands during play. Slide9
Barriers to Play
Environmental BarriersInaccessible environments - Child can’t get to toysLack of supports - Caregiver has limited time for assistanceSlide10
Barriers to Play
Age-labels - Baby toys may have some of the desired characteristics for older children, but are not age appropriate. Children and families may view using “different” toys as socially unacceptable. Slide11
Universal Design for Play
The concept of universal design as it applies to toys is to design play items that are inherently accessible and motivating to children of all abilities. Slide12
Why Start with Universal Design Toys?
Many families express that they prefer off-the-shelf toys over specialized toysLook and function like toys all children useOften more durableCan use for all children in the familyOften less costly option than purchasing specialized toysSlide13
Universal Design for Play
The University at Buffalo’s Assistive Technology Center has federal funding to research and disseminate information related to universal design for play. Their project is called Let’s Play! And can be found by Clicking Here. Slide14
Examples of UD Toy Companies
The mainstream toy company Melissa & Doug produce popular items with universal design features. Many of their products provide large surfaces for a better grip, added sound for auditory feedback, and brightly colored materials to draw visual attention to the item.
Playworks
is a company marketing toys using universal design. They categorize their toys by features or targeted skills.
Development by Design
is a company that is currently defunct but still sells its products through
The Pencil Grip
. Slide15
What to Look F
orThe Universal Design for Play Tool (Ruffino & Mistrett, 2006) designed by staff at the University of Buffalo’s Let’s Play project can help parents and support staff select toys for children with and without disabilities. This tool lists the following features as contributing most to the enjoyment of all children.
The toy is appealing
Multiple colors, textures, dimensions, scents, and/or sounds.
How to play with the toy is clear.
The toy is easy to use.
Easy to pickup, hold, and use by children with a range of abilities.
Ruffino
, A.G., &
Mistrett
, S.G. (2006). The universal design for play tool: Establishing validity and reliability.
Journal of Special Education Technology 21
(4), 25-35. Slide16
What to Look For
The toy is adjustable. A variety of actions can be used. The toy allows the child to play in different positions. The height, volume, level of difficulty, and/or speed can be adjusted. The toy promotes development.Encourages imagination, social play, discovery of new ways to play, and physical or cognitive activity.
The toy can be played with in different ways.
Appropriate for different ages and levels. Can be used differently for different types of play.
Ruffino
, A.G., &
Mistrett
, S.G. (2006). The universal design for play tool: Establishing validity and reliability.
Journal of Special Education Technology 21
(4), 25-35. Slide17
Examples of UD Toys
Shape, Model, and Mold Play Clay
Happy Handle Stamp Set
What UD features do these toys have?Slide18
Chunky Farm Puzzle
Large Knob Shape Puzzle
Musical Instruments Sound Puzzle
What UD features do these toys have? Slide19
What features of UD does this toy have?
Scratch Art Portable Light BoxSlide20
What UD features does this toy have? Slide21
Textured Stencils
What UD features does this toy have? Slide22
Adapted Toys
If you cannot find a toy with the universal design features you need, you can purchase or construct your own adapted toys.Slide23
What to L
ook ForMultisensory appeal (lights, sounds, movement, contrasting colors, scent, texture?)
Appropriate method of activation
Where toy will be used
(easy to store, space in the home, used in a variety of positions?)
Opportunities for success
(open ended with no definite right or wrong way to play)
Current popularity
(does it make the child feel like “any other kid”?)
National
Lekotek
Center. (2003). National
Lekotek
c
enter’s top ten tips to consider when buying toys for children with disabilities. Slide24
What to Look For
Self-expression (does it allow for creativity, uniqueness, and choice making?)Adjustability (adjustable height, sound, speed, level of difficulty?)
Child’s individual characteristics
(
provides
activities that reflect the child’s interests to match their age both developmental and chronologically?
)
Safety and durability
(
matches
the child’s strength and size, moisture resistance, parts sized appropriately, washing and cleaning
)
Potential for interaction
(Can
the child be an active participant? Will it encourage social engagement?
)
National
Lekotek
Center. (2003). National
Lekotek
center’s top ten tips to consider when buying toys for children with disabilities. Slide25
Adaptive Toy Companies
Achievement ProductsBeyond PlayDragon Fly Toy CompanyEnabling DevicesFlaghouse- Special PopulationsFuntastic Therapy Catalog
Jesana
, Ltd
Kapable
Kids, Inc.
Sportime
Abilitations
Technical Solutions- Australia
TFH (USA)Ltd.
Therapy Toy Shop
There are many companies that sell adaptive toys.
Let’s Play! (2013) Retrieved from http://
letsplay.buffalo.edu
/play/Play%20vendors%20special-%20urls.pdf. Slide26
Examples of Adaptive Toys
Switch Adapted Toys
Switch Adapted Magical Light ShowSlide27
Examples of Adaptive Toys
Vibrating Mini Rib-It Ball
VibroLadyBugSlide28
Examples of Adapted Toys
Examples from the AT Center to pass around. Slide29
Ablenet Inc.
YouTube video on switch adapted toys:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0CVVnw2s94Regular use of switchesSwitch-latch and timer use
Wireless
a
ccess to toysSlide30
Switch Adapting Your Own Toys: Using Battery Interrupters
Battery Interrupters are easiest way to switch adapt simple toys.View this 3 part video on using premade battery interrupters:http
://enablingdevices.com/catalog/useful-devices/battery_interrupters/battery-
interrupters
Slide31
Battery Interrupters
Companies that sell battery interruptersAdaptivation $12Enabling Devices $10 - $15Ablenet Inc. $13How to make your own battery interrupters:
http://www.smasupport.com/
making_a_switchadapted_toy.htmSlide32
Switch Adapting Your Own Toys: Hardwiring
If you have a more complicated toy, you can adapt some toys for switches. There are many videos online that step you through this process.YouTube videos on how to adapt switch toys:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pD944_I7sis
http://www.smasupport.com/hardwiring-
toys.htm
http://www.glenallen-sch.vic.edu.au/instructions/adapting-simple-switch-
toys.pdf
http://inclusiveconnections.com/
Adapting_Toys.html
Slide33
For Gamers
For adaptive gamers: http://www.theadaptivegamer.com/
http://www.gimpgear.us/
gaming
For adapting your
own controllers:
http
://www.oneswitch.org.uk/4/DIY/
index.htm
Adaptive Wii Kit:
http://www.broadenedhorizons.com/switch-enabled-nintendo-wii-remote-
kit
Slide34
Using AAC devices
You can use high-tech AAC devices with infrared environmental control features to control infrared toys. The following companies have instructions on their website that guide you through the process.
DynaVox
:
http://www.dynavoxtech.com/support/kb/details/?id=
3775
Prenke
Romich
Company:
http://www.prentrom.com/support/article/
1105
Tobii
:
http://www.tobii.com/en/assistive-technology/global/support-and-downloads/faqs/50130000000Sqze
/
Slide35
Using AAC devices for IR Toys
Toys “R” Us Infrared Toys
Dinosaur and Gorilla are controlled by infrared technology. This allows AAC devices with environmental control features to be programmed to control these toys. Slide36
Adapting Books
Interactive BooksAdding Icons to Books
Photos are from http
://
littlemisskimberlyann.blogspot.com
/2013/09/tips-for-adapting-books-for-kids-
with.htmlSlide37
Adapted Books
Texture BooksBaggie Books
www.pathstoliteracy.org
www.med.unc.edu
/ahs/
clds
/files/early-childhood-resources/
therm.funbooksfo.pdfSlide38
Adapted Books
Page TurnersTalking Books such as Tarheel ReaderPowerpoint BooksSlide39
Adapting Books
The document A-Z of Adapting Books for Students with Disabilities in Virginia can be found at: http://www.vcu.edu/ttac/images/Handout_for_A-Z_of_Adapting_Books_for_Students_with_Disabilities_in_Virginia.pdf. It contains an abundance of information about how to create play materials focused on increasing literacy opportunities using adapted books for students with disabilities. Slide40
GoBabyGo!
Dr. Cole Galloway at the University of DelawareModifies “off-the-shelf toy racecars to provide mobility to children with crawling and walking problems, empowering them to be part of the action at home, in the daycare center, and on the playground
.”
http
://www.udel.edu/gobabygo
/
Hosts “make and take” clinics and trainings.
Conducts research on the impact of power mobility on early skill development. Slide41
Our GoBabyGo
TowMater VehicleSlide42
Our GoBabyGo Tinkerbelle Stand Up VehicleSlide43
One final important note……..remember that play may be a child’s “work”, but it should be inherently FUN! Slide44
NAU AT Center Loan Equipment
We have a library of adapted toys that can be loaned to families and individuals with disabilities. See our inventory by stopping in the AT Center or checking out and liking our page on Facebook!Facebook Page Name: NAU Assistive Technology CenterNorthern Arizona University’s Institute for Human Development Assistive Technology Center at http://nau.edu/SBS/IHD/Community-Resources/
Slide45
Other Local Resources for Adaptive Toys
Arizona Technology Access Project (AZTAP) at aztap.org Arizona Department of Education Loan Library at
http://nau.edu/SBS/IHD/Programs/ADE-Assistive-Technology-Loan-Library
/