For this low tech assistive technology assignment, Gail and I worked together. We went to the Dollarama to seek out our assistive technology devices. We decided that we would choose our own ready made items (Task A) that would pertain to our own students. I am a LC teacher and Gail is a grade 3 classroom teacher. We may choose some of the same items that may be used in different ways.
For Task B, we will are presenting the same item while for Task C we will each compose our own list of 10 other items. Again this list may have some of the same items and some that are different.
Task A
Here are items ready to use off the shelf:
1) Scribble Writer
The Scribble Writer has a very large handle for easy gripping. It moves in curly motion and is battery operated. This can be used for a student
with fine motor difficulties as well as attention to task issues. This AT tool would be beneficial during an art period to include this student or used as a choice reward item. The family and school personal is supportive of this use. The student would be very proud to use it.
2)Color necklaces
These different color bead necklaces would be ideal for a Fetal Alcohol student in grade 3 student who needs support and reminders to speak with appropriate volume for different settings throughout the day. She loves to wear jewellery and could wear different colors to signify the appropriate volume. For example, a red could be worn when no talking is permitted, a gold one when low volume talking or whisper is appropriate and a green one when normal speaking volume is allowed. A social story will support her with learning this strategy and a visual strip on her desk can serve as a reminder of what the different color means.
Family and school staff are supportive of a plan to give a 6-8 week trial and then reassess the behaviour program. This student will enjoy the beads which we hope will be a motivator for her in this behaviour program.
Task BHere is an invented item form materials around the home or the dollar stores:1)Adapted kite handle
Sam is a grade 11 student who has a degenerative condition, Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) which causes muscle weakness and fine motor control challenges. To meet his social outcomes and other outcomes requiring physical output he needs modifications to his program and materials.
With this modified handle for kite flying he will be able to participate more fully and independently by flying his own kite. He will require support to launch the kite as he is unstable when walking. The handle is about a foot long and is light weight cedar. The grips on each end are made of Grip-It shelf liner. This student takes pride in doing things for himself even though his equipment looks somewhat different. the family and school staff are very happy for these types of modifications to be made and are in full support.
If you look carefully below the invented handle in the picture, you will see the small plastic handle that came with the kite; too small to use.
2) Bags to contain various items with scent
These are celebration bags 2 ¾ X 3¾ made of a fine mesh material. For my multi handicapped students that have IPP outcomes that require a sensory input diet, as recommended by the occupational therapist, these bags can be filled with various objects that have a scent. This student can better experience the world around through the sense of smell. This activity can also encourage the student to 'wake up' or be more alert.The family and support team would be very supportive of this activity.
Task CHere is a list of other cheap, low tech items found at the dollar stores that can be use as assistive technology.
1) Finger nail stickers- An assistive device to support a student using learning to position their hand and operating a computer mouse. A finger nail sticker could be placed on the fingernail of the pointing finger as well as on the left mouse switch. The student would think about matching and moving the stickered finger nail with the sticker on the left click.
2) Electric toothbrush- Could be used with students that have difficulty mastering the back and forth motion of the task of brushing their teeth.
3) Color tape (masking)- This can be used to mark a boundary area for an Autistic student who has difficulty with organization. An example would be to make a box on the floor with the tape to show where to place his/ her footwear.
4) Curly shoe laces- These can be used with students that have an inability to tie shoe laces.
5) A kitchen timer- This can be used for students that have difficulties transitioning from one activity to another. For example, a student that is non- compliant to get off of the computer in a reasonable time, you could set the timer for a period of time and when the timer beeps it is time for the student to get off.
6) Bingo dauber- These come in many colors and can be used with students that have fine motor challenges and/or attention issues. The daubers can be used for coloring or to make patterns or sets of in a math activity.
7) Hair brush- The brush can be used as an aide in playing cards. For a student that cannot hold a hand of cards for a variety of reasons, their cards can stand up in the bristles of the brush.
8) Plastic wrap- This can be stretched over a keyboard to protect it from student’s drool.
9) Duramat- this is a rubber glove that has a scour pad built into the palm of the rubber glove. A student with motor challenges they could use this in an art class for painting or used to wipe or scrub.
10) Place mat- For students that have organizational challenges, the place mat could be made into a template for containing everyday school supplies. Velcro and picture symbols would be placed on the mat so the student has something to match it against. This would prevent items from falling off the desk and it would give a visual reminder if an item is missing.This would take some work to put this assistive tech device together.
