• 10 AFTER SCHOOL/WEEKEND IDEAS FOR ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY AT HOME: 

    After school and weekends are often a time for students to unwind from a hectic school day. It can also be a chance to work on some independent leisure activities in the home. Setting up leisure activities that your child can do independently can have a dramatic impact on both the child and the family as a whole. Most items listed can be purchased on Amazon or reach out to maryanne.terzaghi@redclay.k12.de.us for more information and funding sources. 

    1. Use a Powerlink box to: 

    • turn on/off music with a radio/CD player; 
    • Turn a fan on/off; 
    • Turn on/off lights;
    • Turn on a mixer/blender/food processor to help with cooking activities. 

    2. Turn on a toy with a switch (can be a switch adaptive toy or use a battery interrupter, which is a cheaper alternative to purchasing switch adaptive toys)

    3. Record messages on a Step-by-Step to comment on a TV show, sporting event or family discussion.

    4. Spin the wheel to choose an outfit for the day (Velcro pictures of various outfits on a spinning wheel or use a switch adaptive All Turn It Spinner) 

    5. Use a switch adapted pourer to help with planting or gardening. 

    6. Use a switch adapted pourer to help cook dinner or a special dessert. 

    7. Use an AAC device or record messages on a Step-by-Step to help decide dinner options or direct others to follow a recipe

    8. Use an AAC device or record messages on a Step-by-Step voice output to decide what TV show, movie or music to put on. 

    9. Use an Able Net Hitch 2 Switch Interface to control a laptop or Chromebook with a switch.  Students can play games on subscription websites like HelpKidzLearn.com or read books and listen to music on free websites like Tar Heel Game Play: https://tarheelgameplay.org/find/. 

    10. Use an AAC device or record messages on a Step-by-Step voice output to direct your smart home devices (Alexa, Siri or Google) to play music, read a book, play notifications, etc.

     

    Images of items:

    Step-by-Step Communicator- by AbleNet & Amazon

     

    Battery Interrupter (various sizes for each battery type) - Amazon

     

    All Turn It Spinner- by AbleNet & Amazon

    Switch Adaptive Bubble Machine- by LDK Adaptive Toys & Amazon

    Switch- LDK Adaptive Toys, AbleNet & Amazon 

    Switch activating pourer- Enabling Devices 

    Powerlink- Use a switch to control any household item that is electrical. Must use a switch with it. - AbleNet & Amazon.

    Hitch 2 Switch Interface- Plugs into a computer/Chromebook's USB port, just connect a switch & it acts like a mouse.  - AbleNet & Amazon

    		  

     

    FAMILY GAME NIGHT 

    Finding ways to include your child in events with his/her siblings can connect the family together and help to bring them all closer together. Include grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, or friends and make it a standing date on the calendar! Family game night can help your child learn how to count, follow rules, communicate with others, conversation skills, turn taking, cooperation & working together skills, understanding humor, good sportsmanship, and decision making. Some game ideas: Connect 4, Pop the Pig, Don’t Break the Ice, Shark Bite, Ants in the Pants, Crocodile Dentist, Pop up Pirate, Jumping Jack, Zingo & ThinkFun Roll & Play Board Game

    Free Game Night Cliparts, Download Free Game Night Cliparts png images, Free ClipArts on Clipart Library

    If your child needs modifications to participate in family game night, see some ideas below: 

    1. Use a pourer to roll the dice for a board game (use one from the kitchen or a switch activated pourer if a child needs more assistance).
    2. Use a large foam dice instead of small dice that come with the game
    3. Modify a spin wheel to allow your child to:
      • Select the person whose turn is next (tape names/pictures of people on a wheel)
      • Tape the cards of the game onto a wheel to make a choice if it's difficult to pick up cards
      • Use the numbers on a spin wheel to select the number of spaces to move
      • Tape colors on the spin wheel to make a choice
    4. If you have a switch adaptive spin wheel use the ideas from above.
    5. Purchase a card holder or make one from cardboard, Legos, duct tape, pool noodle, egg carton, etc.
    6. Use larger household items to replace game pieces for counting that might be small.
    7. Use an AAC device or step by step voice output to select colors, numbers, direct others, comment & participate.